The Voice advertisement including Saed. Photography by Rosie Barnes.
“Retirement Is a Privilege”
Sead’s journey has been shaped by both hardship and hope. Forced to flee his homeland during the war, he built a new life in the UK, dedicating his career to the charity sector. Now, he’s finding joy in retirement. “Retired people used to scare me with their stories about needing to stay active, but they were right — you do need a routine. Every morning, I wake up and think, ‘I have a whole day ahead —what shall I do?’ That’s such a privilege.”
Instead of slowing down, Sead has embraced new challenges. He’s writing a family cookbook, learning to compose music, and even exploring artificial intelligence through an online course. “I repair my computers, use YouTube as my guide, and keep learning new things. Staying sharp is fulfilling.”
“Sometimes I agree with what’s being discussed, sometimes I don’t — but that’s the beauty of it. Being part of these conversations opens my mind.”
The Importance of Connection
For Sead, relationships are at the heart of a meaningful life. He and his wife are celebrating 40 years of marriage this year, and he remains deeply connected to friends and his community. “I meet my friends for coffee at least three times a week. And as you know, coffee isn’t just about coffee— it’s about chatting, laughing, and enjoying life. Once a month, eight of us go out for a meal. It’s not gossip — we just have good conversation.”
But he also acknowledges the loneliness many people face, both young and old. “Loneliness isn’t just an issue for older people — young people experience it too. A simple phone call can make a difference. I once worked with a gentleman who had dementia, and my greatest joy was simply giving him my time. Even when he could no longer hold a conversation, just seeing a smile on his face made it worth it.”
A portrait of Saed, captured for the Voice advertising campaign. Photography by Rosie Barnes.
Why Voice Matters
Sead first joined Voice four years ago after seeing a newsletter ad. Since then, he’s contributed to numerous projects, from improving housing for older adults to raising awareness about bowel cancer screening.
“I’d compare it to voting. Many people don’t vote and then suffer the consequences of poor leadership. It’s the same with engagement — getting involved now can shape a better future. You might think, ‘What can I contribute?’ But everyone has valuable experiences. Even if you’re not a professional, your voice still matters.”
One project that stood out to him was Newcastle University’s initiative to design smart homes for ageing residents.“ They wanted real input from people who would actually live in these homes. It’s so important for businesses and researchers to engage with real people — otherwise, they risk designing something that doesn’t work in practice.”
Sead also believes that staying open-minded is key. “Sometimes I agree with what’s being discussed, sometimes I don’t — but that’s the beauty of it. Being part of these conversations opens my mind. Sometimes, I even change my own perspective because I hear a viewpoint I hadn’t considered before.”
Saed showing his redesigned and reimagined Spice Rack.
Encouraging the Next Generation
Sead is passionate about getting young people involved in Voice and similar initiatives. “I encourage young people to join, even just to see what it’s like. They have fresh perspectives, and their voices matter. There’s no wrong answer — everyone’s input is valuable.”
He also emphasises the importance of lifelong learning and curiosity. “One of the best projects I was involved in was the Internet of Caring Things. Between two workshops, we had to come up with an innovative idea. I designed a spice rack with traffic-light indicators to show freshness. The next time we met, we presented our inventions, and some of them were even 3D printed! That kind of creativity is inside everyone — it just needs to be encouraged.”
“There’s no such thing as a ‘wrong’ answer here. As long as we all contribute to a better tomorrow, it’s a comforting and rewarding experience.”
A Simple Invitation
For Sead, being part of Voice is about making a meaningful contribution while also learning and growing.
“At the end of the day, if your contribution can improve even one person’s life, it’s worth it. There’s no harm in trying. You can join, see how you feel, and if it’s not for you, that’s fine too—but I doubt that will be the case.”
As our conversation comes to a close, Sead leaves us with a final thought: “The people at Voice, from facilitators to fellow participants, are kind and welcoming. And remember, you might be wrong sometimes, and that’s OK. There’s no such thing as a ‘wrong’ answer here. As long as we all contribute to a better tomorrow, it’s a comforting and rewarding experience.”
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