The Voice advertisement including Jamie. Photography by Rosie Barnes.
Gaining Perspective with Age
“I think I like maturing — gaining perspective,” Jamie shares. “As you get older, you realise what really matters and what doesn’t. When you’re a kid, you panic if you forget your homework or your PE kit. Ten years later, you look back and think, ‘Why was I so stressed?’”
Jamie also values the independence that comes with age. “You gain confidence. If I wanted to, I could just drive to Manchester for a night out — no one to ask permission from except my partner! ” he laughs.
“You hear interesting perspectives from people of all ages and backgrounds — that’s really valuable.”
The Fear of Wasting Time
“I worry about wasting time. I spent years in retail and warehouses instead of pursuing a career earlier. I wonder if I lost valuable time,” Jamie reflects. “I put pressure on myself. Like, should I have done something else by now?”
He acknowledges that societal expectations play a role in his worry. “Seeing people my age with kids makes me wonder — should I have done that by now? It’s interesting how we compare. I just worry that, for example, I’d be starting an apprenticeship at 35. I mean, you can, but it would feel like a big step.”
A portrait of Jamie, captured for the Voice advertising campaign. Photography by Rosie Barnes.
Finding a Voice in Voice
“My partner told me about it, so I thought, why not give it a go and see where it leads?” Jamie values the community’s diversity. “You hear interesting perspectives from people of all ages and backgrounds —that’s really valuable.”
Exploring New Opportunities
Jamie was particularly excited about the opportunity to test a brain activity reader. “I thought it would be interesting to see my brain activity while doing everyday tasks, like driving or playing video games. I’m a tech guy — I like tech, I like hearing about it, I like using it. The chance to test out different technology firsthand was a big draw for me.”
He also participated in a Voice photoshoot. “It was interesting. I’d never done anything like that before. It was cool to be part of something showcasing members from ages 22 up to 85 or 95 and even older!”
“I thought it would be interesting to see my brain activity while doing everyday tasks, like driving or playing video games. I’m a tech guy."
Why Businesses Need to Listen
“We need to hear real opinions on what is available — not just bots saying, ‘Oh, this is great!’ You need real feedback,” Jamie explains. “But at the same time, these days, you get a lot of fake negativities. Some people will give bad reviews without even trying something — just because they don’t like the idea of it.”
He emphasises the importance of a balanced approach. “When they say ‘the customer is always right,’ they don’t mean individual customers, but the majority. If everyone thinks a product is bad, then it probably is bad. But just because one person has a negative experience doesn’t mean they’re right.”
“Well, I got to take part in a photoshoot, which was something I’d never done before. And the tech side — where else would I get to use a brain activity reader?”
A Message to Future Members
“I’d say go for it! Voice gives you access to interesting opportunities that most people don’t normally get. Well, I got to take part in a photoshoot, which was something I’d never done before. And the tech side —where else would I get to use a brain activity reader? I never thought about using one, but it was really interesting. There are loads of different opportunities like that with Voice. Definitely worth a try.”
Beyond his involvement with Voice, Jamie enjoys gaming, going out with his partner, and spending time with their two amazing dogs, Nancie and Nellie — who even has her own Instagram account!
Jamie’s story highlights the value of personal experiences and the importance of businesses actively listening to real people of all ages when it comes to ageing. Through his involvement in Voice, Jamie has gained new insights, tested innovative technologies, and connected with a diverse community — all while shaping the future.
If you’re considering joining Voice, take Jamie’s advice — go for it!
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