The Voice advertisement including Patricia. Photography by Rosie Barnes.
Embracing Ageing with Curiosity and Confidence
Patricia has a refreshingly positive outlook on ageing. “I don’t picture myself as being frail or in a care home,” she says. “I just plan to keep going.” Having never seen old age firsthand — her parents passed away young — she doesn’t associate ageing with decline. Instead, she embraces it as an opportunity to keep learning and engaging with life.
“I’m always looking for new stimuli,” Patricia shares. “I keep my brain active with book clubs, bridge, classes, and friendships. Staying engaged is so important.” One of her current endeavours includes a course on Revolution and Art in the Long 18th Century at City Lit. “I don’t know much about 18th-century art,” she admits with a laugh, “but I know a bit about revolution and French philosophy from that period. I thought, why not challenge myself?”
“I may not have a big pension, but I’ve had the freedom to explore different paths, which I value.”
The Challenges of Ageing and the Importance of Resilience
Despite her enthusiasm for lifelong learning and activity, Patricia acknowledges that ageing does come with its challenges. “Losing mobility or my mental faculties would be tough,” she admits. “But I have a wonderful husband and family. I try to stay careful and active to prevent falls. If something happens, I’ll have to adapt — that’s just life.”
Her ability to adapt has been a recurring theme in her life. Patricia didn’t take the traditional career path — she went to university in her 40s at Birkbeck, worked in various roles, and spent 22 years as a Cruse bereavement counselor. “I always balanced interesting part-time work with my family life,” she explains. “I may not have a big pension, but I’ve had the freedom to explore different paths, which I value.”
Finding Purpose Through Voice
Patricia’s commitment to staying engaged and giving back led her to join the Voice community. “I’ve always wanted to contribute,” she says. “I got involved in mediation, then worked with Cruse. When I came across Voice, it felt like another way to shape society positively.”
Participating in research has been a rewarding experience for her. “There’s a real satisfaction in knowing you’re contributing to something important. I took part in an atrial fibrillation (AF) study because it was relevant to me. It’s a two-way thing — life is about giving and receiving.”
Beyond personal relevance, Patricia values the broader impact of the research. “Some studies might not feel personally relevant to me, but they could be incredibly important to others — like research for carers. The more people who take part, the better. There’s nothing worse than a study with only a handful of participants — it’s not meaningful. The more diverse the input, the more useful the research becomes.”
A portrait of Patricia, captured for the Voice advertising campaign. Photography by Rosie Barnes.
Encouraging Others to Use Their Voice
When asked what she would say to someone considering joining Voice, Patricia is enthusiastic. “It’s really worthwhile,” she says. “You should sign up, have a look, and see what you think. Then you can decide if you want to get more involved. But at least check it out — this research benefits both present and future generations.”
She understands that some people might feel their views aren’t valuable, but she passionately disagrees. “Every person’s experience is valid, regardless of background, education, or ethnicity. Research benefits from a diverse range of perspectives. It’s not about being highly educated —it’s about sharing your lived experience, and that’s what makes studies meaningful.”
Why Businesses Should Listen to Real People
Patricia believes companies have a responsibility to engage with real people when designing products and services. “I understand businesses need to make money,” she says, “but isn’t it time they considered what’s truly best for people? We’re talking about their customers, their own families, and friends. Someone has to be brave enough to make a change — why not lead the way?”
She sees Voice as an essential bridge between businesses and consumers. “Sometimes you need experts to highlight those gaps. Businesses might think they know what people need, but without real-world input, they miss the mark.”
"Research benefits from a diverse range of perspectives."
A Call for Connection Across Generations
Beyond research and business, Patricia is deeply concerned about societal issues like loneliness. “People across all ages are struggling to connect,” she says. “There’s so much depression among young people.”
She believes in encouraging intergenerational connections. “The future belongs to younger people, and they need support. At the same time, older people need to stay engaged. It’s about mutual understanding and learning from one another.”
“Every person’s experience is valid. It’s not about being highly educated — it’s about sharing your lived experience, and that’s what makes studies meaningful.”
Final Thoughts: The Power of Conversation
For Patricia, staying engaged isn’t just about structured activities —it’s about everyday interactions. “By talking, we unlock memories, stimulate our brains, and create space for new thoughts. It gives us energy. We’ve both gained energy from this conversation, haven’t we?”
She leaves us with a final thought: “If you’re someone who’s sitting alone, isolated… it’s very hard. But even something as simple as smiling at someone or saying good morning can create a connection. No conversation is ever wasted — there’s always something magic in it.”
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