Stories

"Without the support of the workers and the introductions I would have no contact with the outside world from one week to another." Bernard, over 70 from Tyburn, Birmingham This is the story of Bernard Green, a man in his 70s from Birmingham who, by caring for his elderly mother and having had knee ...

"I felt more confident and want to do more. It's important to me that I keep active and I want to help others." Shazia, 50 from Sparkhill Shazia is 50 and lives in Sparkhill, Birmingham, together with her husband and two children, a son and daughter. She used to feel unhappy and very isolated, but t...

Local Brummies share their best tips for small talk, and pledge to start conversations with neighbours and people they don't already know. The Make Someone's Day campaign focus on making Birmingham a friendlier city by encouraging citizens to start conversations with people they meet when ...

Back in July, ​150 people aged 50+ travelled far and wide to come together in Sheffield and celebrate 'Ageing Better'. People from across 14 areas of England came together at Sheffield City Hall to share skills, stories and experiences of growing older. Ageing Better participants...

By 2020, almost 57,000 people aged 65 plus will be living alone in Birmingham, increasing their risk of being isolated. These proportions are higher than the England and regional figures. ​Recent studies suggest that feeling alone and isolated can contribute towards stress, low self-esteem, disturbe...