Real life stories

We have a number of older people who have taken part in Age UK services. To learn more about these individuals or to request a case study interview, please contact the media team.

Roy

After 55 years of a happy and busy life together, Roy’s (83) wife Phyllis passed away. Roy was feeling very lonely being on his own, and rang his local Age UK for some advice. Age UK’s telephone befriending services matched him with Ruth, 31, his volunteer befriender. Roy says that due to the weekly calls, he feels ‘less lonely’ and ‘really looks forward to receiving his weekly telephone call from Ruth’, who he says is like the daughter he never had.

Roy comments, 'It is because of wonderful people like Ruth that I am doing as well as I am.'

John

Age UK fundraiser, John, was the oldest runner at the 2018’s Virgin Money London Marathon. Aged 87, John took on the prestigious London event for the 32nd time. John, who began running marathons back in the ‘80s when he was aged 53, has raised an incredible amount since then, hitting more than £40,000 for the Charity. John, who turns 88 in September, is grandparent to four grandchildren along with his wife, Judy, of 54 years. He is a member of a local running club and is also a keen swimmer and gym-goer.

Group Case study – Women in Sheds, Age UK Cheshire

Following its successful Men in Sheds venture, Age UK Cheshire launched Women in Sheds for the first time in January 2017. Activities on offer at the shed are exactly the same as Men in Sheds and currently include: woodworking, woodturning, pen making, community projects, computer sessions, and model railways.

Care campaign

Age UK campaigns for better social care. The video below features real people who've had negative experiences of the care system.