After 16 years as a primary school assistant head, Anne found herself unexpectedly retired. “I literally left on a Friday at half-term and never went back,” she recalls. “So, I was without a job, and without funds. I have an amazing partner who wanted me to leave and supported me financially in every other way, but it was a big shock from having this busy, busy life, never having a minute to yourself, to finding the reality of not having a job.” The transition from a life filled with activity to one that felt so quiet was a big shock. “For a long time I just did nothing,” she admits. “I didn’t have any money to. People think you’re living this amazing life, you’re not. So, it took an awful lot of getting used to.” Anne initially did some volunteering, working in charity shops and participating in herbal medical trials at Northumbria University. While these activities were interesting, she felt they weren’t enough to fill the void she experienced.

Anne’s turning point came when her brother-in-law, already a member of the Voice community, introduced her to it. Despite her initial apprehensions about engaging via Zoom, Anne decided to give it a try. “I spoke to a lovely girl who was doing a project in America, and it was great. I really enjoyed it and I got paid. Even better,” she shares with a smile. This positive experience ignited a newfound interest and involvement in the Voice community.

Among the most fulfilling aspects of her participation is her role on a panel for type 2 diabetes. “The researcher is really lovely and accommodating,” Anne says. With her partner living with type 2 diabetes, she feels a personal connection to the project. “My partner’s type 2 diabetic. It gives me an insight, and I feel that my experience might be useful or worthwhile.” This ongoing project has become a significant part of her life, highlighting how purpose-driven involvement can deeply resonate with personal experiences.

Anne’s engagement with research related to hearing and dementia also stands out. She finds these topics particularly relevant as she experiences changes in her own memory. “I can feel my own memory. It’s just age, I think, but I can feel things happening. I really feel like I’m contributing to that,” she explains. Her participation not only enriches her knowledge but also allows her to contribute meaningfully to areas that impact her directly.

The impact of having a clear purpose is a recurring theme in our conversation with Anne. “Everybody needs to feel needed by something or somebody,” she shares. Her transition from a bustling school environment, where she was deeply embedded in the lives of her students and their families, to a quieter retirement life made her acutely aware of the importance of feeling valued and involved. “When you’ve had it for all those years of being in a tiny little school, I knew every parent, every grandparent. They all called you ‘Miss”. Even the parents called you ‘Miss” and came to tell you all their problems and asked if you could help them solve them. It was very difficult to suddenly not be part of that,” she reflects.

Anne also emphasises the value she finds in her involvement with Voice: “Mainly for me, I like being me. I like feeling that I’m making a contribution to wider society and that maybe in the future my grandchildren won’t have to face certain challenges because of the work we’re doing. It’s a concentrated effort, not just the odd thing here and there. There’s a community, and you get to meet lots of different people and do different things. At the heart of it, you’re making a contribution, and that is definitely the main thing for me.”

Her involvement in the Voice community has not only provided a sense of purpose but also allowed her to connect with a diverse group of people. “Meeting people and having good little chats” has been a rewarding aspect of her participation. Anne appreciates the opportunity to engage with researchers and students, contributing to projects that align with her interests and values.

Anne’s experience underpins a vital message: finding purpose and connection can significantly enhance all our sense of fulfillment and well-being. Her journey from feeling lost to making a meaningful contribution through the Voice community is a testament to the transformative power of engagement and the importance of continued personal growth.

For Anne, the Voice community represents more than just a platform for participation; it is a space where she can share her experiences, learn from others, and make a difference. “I like being me. I like feeling that I’m making a contribution to wider society,” she concludes. Through her involvement, Anne has discovered a renewed sense of purpose, proving that it’s never too late to find meaningful ways to contribute and connect.