Throughout our lives, the emotive power of a story can draw us into another person’s world.
The right tale can help us understand the storyteller’s challenges, empathise with their worries, and share in their joy. These narratives may even echo our present situations, or offer a glimpse of our own futures.
But despite their importance, stories can all too easily remain hidden. Age UK is here to give older people a platform for their stories – and ensure that their experiences are shared.
Signposting support
Like many older people who have benefitted from Age UK’s work, Rosemary wanted to ensure that people in similar situations knew where to turn for help.
Rosemary joined the Age UK family of storytellers earlier this year. Rosemary always enjoyed a busy social life, but in recent years her worsening mobility has left her struggling to leave the house. She recently shared her experience of using the Age UK Telephone Friendship Service and highlighted how it can help isolated older people to reconnect with others.
“It was out of this world,” says Rosemary, 91, on sharing her story with Age UK. “I was floating on a cloud for days afterwards!” She tells her story on film as part of Age UK’s autumn campaign, revealing how loneliness can cast a shadow on even the most wonderful life. “It opened a new door in my life,” says Rosemary of the experience.
Other storytellers, like James, have showed us the challenges that can pile upon older people and make life difficult – sometimes dangerously so. Age UK Advice Line user James, a retired nurse living with Parkinson's disease, moved us all when he revealed he’d lost three stone in weight living on a diet of bread and tea in order save money. He highlighted the impact of the cost of living on older people to the nation as part of The Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal last year.
James’ story helped us spread the word about the support our advice line can offer, allowing us to provide crucial guidance to more people in crisis. Thanks to Age UK, James won full attendance allowance so his household budget – and weight – are now back on track.
As part of the same appeal, Norman spoke movingly about dementia slowly turning his wife of more than 40 years into a stranger. On those days, the Age UK Advice Line is a vital resource. Thanks to both James and Norman, others know there is somewhere they or their loved ones can turn to for help.
Share your cost of living story with us
Worried about winter, rising bills and the cost of living? Anxious about your health and the stretched healthcare system? The Stories Team is looking for Age UK service users affected by these issues who’d be willing to share their story.
Showcasing experiences of later life
As part of Age UK’s own Christmas Appeal last year, Brenda spoke out for the thousands of lonely older people who find their lives changed beyond recognition. Losing loved ones or the ability to get out and about has led to almost a million older people feeling lonely. So, when Brenda described her Age UK telephone friend, Jasmine, as a bright spot in a day where’s she not spoken to a soul, it struck a chord with the nation.
Stories like these immerse us in the reality of what life can be like for older people, their families, friends and carers in the UK today. They paint a vivid picture of the work that Age UK does to ensure no older person struggles alone.
Stories are important in highlighting the range of older people’s experience, too – and there is plenty of inspiration to be found. John, 92, has run 50 marathons and is still showing the over-50s how to stay active. He continues to motivate us on social media. Meanwhile, older people living with dementia are looking after their mental and emotional wellbeing at Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions across the UK.
Though our storytellers give their time to us for free, many of them find that the experience is its own reward. Brenda calls her starring role in an Age UK campaign one of the highlights of her life. “When you asked me to be in an advert, I thought you were joking at first. I couldn’t believe it,” she admits. “I thought I was privileged to be in one.”
Her neighbours and family were equally impressed. “When I saw the adverts, I thought they were lovely,” Brenda says. “My daughter put a poster of me up at work, and the people round here thought it was good too. I did feel like a celebrity and the film crew were so nice. Thank you for having me!”
Age UK Telephone Friendship Service user Ron could not believe the response when he was featured on the Age UK website in a story about his relationship with his daughter, Simone. “I had that many responses I was made up! All the people at my daughter’s work were reading it on the wards,” he says.
We’re proud of the way we tell stories, but we can’t do it without your help. If you are an Age UK service user, volunteer or fundraiser and would like to share your story, we’d love to hear from you.
Staying true to your story
We never forget that older people are at the heart of everything we do. Every person who shares their experience of Age UK’s life-changing work is part of our team. We work closely with older people to help tell their story word for word, and exactly as they’ve experienced it. They are our spokespeople, and we work hard to preserve the truth of their experience.
Our mission as a charity is to do what’s right for older people, so we always put our storytellers’ wellbeing first. People can share very personal and sensitive experiences, so we make sure that every storyteller knows how we gather stories, and why, and where they may be used. Storytellers get to check and amend their story, so we get every detail just right – and we ask permission every time a story is used in a new way, such as in a leaflet in addition to being on the website.
