Discover Brightlife

From welder to factory worker, care home manager to Age UK... Over in Winsford, Neil Corbin is in the driving seat of Cheshire's newest Men In Sheds project. The most important thing on the job? Neil says the role isn’t just admin, it’s also about getting the culture right:

“You’ve got people who are absolutely hilarious whatever they say. You cannot keep a straight face. But there are also instances where just by talking you know you’re being a lifeline to somebody. People need people.”

To coincide with International Day of Older Persons 2019, Brightlife Cheshire is releasing five new episodes of Discover Brightlife’s podcast. The collection of audio monologues in the Men In Sheds projects gives a voice and platform to men who previously felt lost, lonely and left behind after retirement. Produced and narrated by Clare Freeman at ASFB Productions.

From sawing to singing... Hartford's Men In Sheds project is overseen by Gus Glynn. After spending several decades working as a self-employed plumber, it’s a job that’s proven full of surprises. 

But construction and manual labour aren't the only tricks up his sleeve. Outside of work, Gus has made a name for himself as an Irish singer-songwriter. His track Wide Open Stream is featured throughout this episode, and our Men In Sheds series.

To coincide with International Day of Older Persons 2019, Brightlife Cheshire is releasing five new episodes of Discover Brightlife’s podcast. The collection of audio monologues in the Age Uk Cheshire's projects gives a voice and platform to men who previously felt lost and left behind after retirement. Produced and narrated by Clare Freeman at ASFB Productions.

A loyal husband of 50 years, a proud dad and grandad - and a worrier. That’s how Ian Potts describes himself. He’s been coming to the shed in Hartford for 8 years.

The sense of isolation after retirement hit him hard. But the project ran by Age UK Cheshire has become an important part of his weekly routine. And it’s been good to know he’s “not the only one struggling with anxiety and stress”.

During this episode of the Discover Brightlife podcast, Ian tells the story of emigrating to South Africa at 21, of working at General Motors and British Aerospace as an engineer - and these days, of enjoying his 6am alarm clock to go to the gym three times a week.

To coincide with International Day of Older Persons 2019, Brightlife Cheshire is releasing five new episodes of Discover Brightlife’s podcast. The collection of audio monologues in the Men In Sheds projects gives a voice and platform to men who previously felt lost and left behind after retirement. Produced and narrated by Clare Freeman at ASFB Productions.

69 year old Eddie Fallows spent several decades as a chauffeur to the Mayor of Chester, escorting the good and great to Buckingham Palace and gala openings. But retirement left him bored.

Without work he lacked purpose and focus. By chance he remembered the Men In Sheds project.

It was just what he was looking for - it gave him “that thing to get up for”.

Then followed a heart attack, sepsis and 10 days in intensive care. When he woke in hospital - having been just 3 minutes from death - one of the folk from the Men In Sheds project was by his bedside, checking in on him.

One of his daily highlights is the arrival of the pie man at lunch. And the thing he’s most proud of? His impressive collection of handmade pens he carries in his car boot!

To coincide with International Day of Older Persons 2019, Brightlife Cheshire is releasing five new episodes of Discover Brightlife’s podcast. The collection of audio monologues in the Men In Sheds projects gives a voice and platform to men who previously felt lost and left behind after retirement. Produced and narrated by Clare Freeman at ASFB Productions.

Steve Jackson started his working career as a professional footballer. Then injury suddenly meant three years later he found himself married and having to enter ‘the real world’ at 21. He spent most of his career working in sales. But a heart attack at 57 meant his time of working on the markets was up.

Now retired, and a volunteer at Age UK Cheshire's shed in Hartford, Steve created a modern railway track - one of his many passions - by hand with a fellow ‘shedder’ and friend Bob. 

He describes himself as a bit of rebel. But his one regret? Not taking up his place in the merchant navy in the 60s because he fell in love with a girl. One that left him three months later…

To coincide with International Day of Older Persons 2019, Brightlife Cheshire is releasing five new episodes of Discover Brightlife’s podcast. The collection of audio monologues in the Men In Sheds projects gives a voice and platform to men who previously felt lost and left behind after retirement. Produced and narrated by Clare Freeman at ASFB Productions.

At the heart of Brightlife Cheshire are our people. The people who we reach out to, the people who we support through funding and the people who believe in our ethos to tackle loneliness in our local communities. But the folk who are also extraordinary in our eyes are those who give up their time freely - the volunteers. 

To mark National Volunteers Week 2019, we've collected a handful of their stories to show you the many routes into volunteering, and perhaps if you're thinking of it - what to expect. All seven share their moments of surprise, shock and laughter - plus reveal what impact just giving just a few hours a week has had on their own lives as a result.

For more information on what we do, visit BrightlifeCheshire.org.uk

Discover Brightlife Podcast is narrated by Clare Freeman. Produced by ASFB Productions.