Tea-time at Park House in Longridge was a lively affair when the sheltered accommodation's warden, Eileen Lancashire, was interviewed.
Glancing over to the group of ladies - all Park House residents - talking animatedly over their teacups in the spacious lounge, Eileen said: "They're always like that - never a dull moment from when I and my family came here five years ago.
"They all took us to their hearts when we arrived and now it's like having 30 grandpas and grandmas around us!
"My eldest daughter, Gemma, who recently left the navy, is getting married from here in August and residents say they'll form a guard of honour for her with their walking sticks!"
Such obviously strong links have been forged through equally strong guidance and organising capability, which Eileen has inherited from her parents, John and Doris Peters.
"But," she says "what has been significant here and now is the changeover to Ribble Valley Homes, a process which started two years ago, went to a ballot with all council residents and tenants able to vote - and everyone here did so.
"RVH is huge, has a lot of resources, money, buying power - but the main thing is they wanted all residents involved, empowered to have more of a say and not just be told what would happen.
"They now have a voice, a situation and standard which far exceeds what was there when this service started out."
Eileen explained that a lot of work had been done at Park House - kitchens streamlined, new bathrooms were being organised, in fact a facelift for the 32-flat complex which opened in 1975.
It became home to Eileen and her family - husband John, Adam, 26, Gemma, 24, and 15-year-old Hannah - when she saw the warden's job advertised.
Formerly a carer in Clitheroe, she had been working as a cleaner at Plessington Court in Longridge.
"I loved it, but I remember watching the care staff there and thinking 'I could do that job' - so I was gobsmacked when after thinking I should go for the Park House job, I actually got it!"
That's not really surprising... Eileen grew up with parents who always seemed to be 'around others' as she recalls 'always looking after other people.'
Her early life was in the small mining village of Wheatley Hill in County Durham.
When work failed for her miner father, the family was asked by Doris's sister to help her with the family-run snooker hall in London's Tottenham.
"I have vague memories of going to school in London smog before we moved again, this time to Blackpool where my parents ran a hotel which was a transit stop for military personnel coming back into the country," Eileen remembers.
"There were always families staying and being looked after, so I had lots of children to play with."
The next posting 'around people' was to run the Ansdell and Lytham Sport and Recreation Club - and it was from there that Eileen's parents were 'poached' to become steward and stewardess at Longridge Golf Club.
John Peters also became greenkeeper at a time when the course was only nine holes... and veteran members might remember that it was he who developed it into 18 holes.
"He made drawings for the greens, the tees and fairways, marked out the holes," Eileen recalled.
"Mum did the catering with buffets, for instance, on presidents' days - and dad even made me my own set of clubs by cutting the shafts of some old ones - so I did have a go at playing!"
The family finally moved into Longridge where the tradition of helping in a community continued.
"My dad was a Dunkirk Association veteran and helped with the poppy appeal each year, and both mum and dad were great fund-raisers and organisers of street parties for things like royal weddings, local events and, of course, for our own family."
Eileen herself was a guide leader in Longridge for ten years and was on the PTFA at daughter Hannah's Barnacre Road Primary School where she helped to plan barbecues and discos for the pupils.
"So organising 30 or so residents into enjoying themselves at Park House is not a million miles from that scenario," says Eileen.
"When I first came here I wanted to just settle in quietly, become accustomed to everything, get to know everyone.
"Now I find it's hard work fitting in all we do!" she laughs.
"Changes you make are what you do as they present themselves, with everyone involved having a say.''