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Nichola attends one of our Companionship Centres twice a week and credits her time with us as saving her mental health and maybe even her life. She wants to speak out and encourage other people to support Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees to keep older people safe, happy and free from loneliness.

Nichola's story

Nichola was happily married and had a successful career, working 70 hours a week as a chef in a high pressure environment.

Two year later she is confined to a wheelchair and unable to work.

It all happened very quickly. She felt dizzy at work and within a very short space of time lost her sense of balance completely. She was forced to give up work and felt that life was closing in around her.

She sank into a deep depression. She wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning and just stayed indoors and did nothing.

She was on the point of giving up entirely when she got a call from Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees asking if she wanted to try coming to a Companionship Centre. She was full of apprehension as she thought everyone would be older than her – ‘I never thought that I would have to use services like this’ she said– but she decided to give it a try.

She now attends two days a week and believes that it was the time spent there and the attitude of the staff that lifted her out of her depression.

‘They treat everyone as an individual and really do try to make sure everyone is listened to and happy’ says Nichola ‘They do such a great job and actually do save lives. They’re a brilliant, brilliant organisation’.

Nichola is now a valued member of the group and she has made new friends and has found value in her life again. She takes part in all the activities she wants and the outings from the Centre such as the visit to Cannon Hall Farm pictured above. Cheers Nichola and Happy Christmas!