Back in 1947, something truly special began at Cottage Homes — our amazing tradition of Visitors.
These volunteers, mostly women, decided to step up and make monthly visits to residents in each group of homes. Their goal? To bring some friendship, lend a listening ear, and help smooth out any bumps in the road. They were like the peacemakers, ensuring everyone got along and creating a cosy living space for all.
Fast forward to today, and our Visitors are just as essential, maybe even more so. Times have changed, and with it, their role has evolved. They’ve got to be tuned in to the needs and expectations of today’s seniors to the extent of undertaking training and police checks to ensure the quality of their work.
Today, our Volunteers, both men and women who also form the Visitors’ Committee, are assigned to specific sites within The Cottage Homes.
Every month, they pay a friendly visit to residents who’ve asked for some company. But these visits are more than just a social call. They are the connection between the residents and the management. In this capacity, they play a crucial role in bringing attention to the Board and property managers any issues residents may face.
One such Volunteer Visitor is self-proclaimed ‘people person’ Phil Hough, who is choosing to spend his retirement volunteering, as his way of giving back after a rewarding 40-year working career.
Driven by his desire to make a difference to others, Phil became a visitor at Parkside in 2021. A Non-Executive Director on The Cottage Homes Board since 2022, Phil feels it is a privilege to work with The Cottage Homes residents to ensure they enjoy safe and secure housing and live their later years with dignity.
Phil says he most enjoys the social interaction which he gets more from than the residents! He also enjoys Parkside’s vegetable garden, seeing refurbishment of the units and meeting their new residents.
One thing that’s most incredible about our Volunteers is their commitment. Some of them have been at it for decades! As we celebrate this ongoing tradition, we’re giving a big shoutout to these amazing folks who’ve been the heart and soul of Cottage Homes.



