The Voice advertisement including Sharon. Photography by Rosie Barnes.
Embracing Ageing with Curiosity and Purpose
For Sharon, ageing is about ensuring that people can be the best versions of themselves. “This might sound Pollyanna-ish,” she says, “but I love helping people find their potential. When I taught adult literacy, I worked with people who had missed out on school — some couldn’t even read their own names. I saw a woman start from scratch, learn to read, and eventually get her GCSE in English. That was incredible.” Moments like these, she explains, reinforce her belief in lifelong learning and personal growth.
The Concerns That Come with Age
Like many, Sharon acknowledges that ageing comes with worries, particularly around cognitive decline and independence. “Dementia or losing my cognitive abilities — it’s not something I dwell on, but of course, it’s in the back of my mind,” she shares. “I’ve never seen a pattern of it in my family, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about it.”
Beyond memory loss, Sharon worries about physical independence. “I don’t have a big sense of dignity in the traditional sense — I’ll dance at a party to break the ice — but I don’t want someone feeding me or wiping my bum. It’s not just about me; it’s about not putting someone else in that position.”
“It’s about actively shaping how I age, rather than just letting it happen.”
Why She Joined Voice
Despite insisting she wasn’t a ‘joiner,’ Sharon’s natural curiosity proved otherwise. “I always said I wasn’t a joiner,” she laughs, “but then I realised — I’m in all these groups! I just like knowing what’s going on.”
She also joined Voice with a proactive mindset, wanting to stay independent as she ages rather than needing care later on. “It’s about actively shaping how I age, rather than just letting it happen,” she reflects.
Over time, her involvement grew from surveys to projects that aligned with her passion for health and well-being. One of her first was a stop-motion capture study on yoga and movement confidence, tracking how yoga influenced walking and standing. That led her to live-streamed classes from India, which she still does twice a week. “The teachers offered their own service, and I love it so much more than recorded sessions.”
A portrait of Sharon, captured for the Voice advertising campaign. Photography by Rosie Barnes.
A Particularly Meaningful Experience
Of all her experiences with Voice, one project stands out, an initiative focused on pelvic prolapse. “It was a small interview group for women with lived experience of pelvic prolapse,” she explains. “They wanted two of us to join their advisory group. The project went quiet for a while as they tried to secure funding, but now it’s finally taking shape. We’re getting training to speak to people about prolapse, and I wish I had learned about it earlier. So many people don’t know how important pelvic exercises are for future health.”
Her work in this area has opened her eyes to the lack of education around women’s health. “I was shocked to learn that even maternity champions — who support parents before and after birth — knew nothing about pelvic prolapse. It’s 2020s, and we still lack basic health education.”
Sharons' work with Voice has opened her eyes to the lack of education around women's health, "It’s 2020s, and we still lack basic health education.” Photography by Getty Images on Unsplash.
The Importance of Real Voices
Sharon is passionate about businesses listening to real people. “With Voice, I get to learn new things, experience new things, and satisfy my love for science. The Members Advisory Group is fantastic—intelligent, informed, and vocal. We all want to help others get the best out of life.”
She believes strongly in shaping a better future for younger generations. “That’s why I don’t understand the backlash against expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Everyone in London knows someone with a respiratory condition. After that little girl had air pollution listed on her death certificate, how can people oppose cleaner air?”
Why Others Should Join Voice
When asked how she’d encourage others to join Voice, Sharon is enthusiastic. “It’s a wonderful community, even though many of the projects I’m involved in are online. The internet lets us connect with like-minded people —or even those with opposing views — to create opportunities and strengthen communities.” She emphasises that Voice is for everyone. “There are opportunities in cooking, nature walks, and more. There’s something for everyone.”
Her own experiences reflect this sense of engagement. “I took part in an off-season flu trial — at first just to help, but then I found out I was getting paid, which was a nice bonus! I also joined a Covid vaccine trial because I wanted to see my grandson and family. It feels good to contribute.”
“I always said I wasn’t a joiner but then I realised — I’m in all these groups! I just like knowing what’s going on.”
Why She Joined Voice
Despite insisting she wasn’t a ‘joiner,’ Sharon’s natural curiosity proved otherwise. “I always said I wasn’t a joiner,” she laughs, “but then I realised — I’m in all these groups! I just like knowing what’s going on.”
She also joined Voice with a proactive mindset, wanting to stay independent as she ages rather than needing care later on. “It’s about actively shaping how I age, rather than just letting it happen,” she reflects.
Over time, her involvement grew from surveys to projects that aligned with her passion for health and well-being. One of her first was a stop-motion capture study on yoga and movement confidence, tracking how yoga influenced walking and standing. That led her to live-streamed classes from India, which she still does twice a week. “The teachers offered their own service, and I love it so much more than recorded sessions.”
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