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Personal Stories

Tailored to over 50s job seekers and career changers

Home > Career Advice > Personal Stories

I’m looking for stories about: Health and social care | Teaching | Finance | Hospitality | Retail | Working with animals | Returning to work after unemployment | Returning to education | Finding a work-life balance | Following passions | Entrepreneurship | Influencers |

New in Personal Stories

“Don’t doubt yourself” – how Deborah (56) found a rewarding work-life balance in later life

“Don’t doubt yourself” – how Deborah (56) found a rewarding work-life balance in later life

“There’s never a dull moment” – Jan, Ted, and Colin on becoming school caretakers in later life

“There’s never a dull moment” – Jan, Ted, and Colin on becoming school caretakers in later life

“At Haven, you get something back” – Julie, 63, on switching to seasonal work in later life

“At Haven, you get something back” – Julie, 63, on switching to seasonal work in later life

Health and social care careers

“It’s given me a new lease of life” – Sue, 67, on making a career change later in life

“It’s given me a new lease of life” – Sue, 67, on making a career change later in life

Stephen retrained as a Carer at 55 after being made redundant from his sales job. Ten years on, he’s still changing lives…

“It makes a whole lot of difference” – Marlene on being a Marie Curie Nurse

“It makes a whole lot of difference” – Marlene on working for Marie Curie

Emma, 55, on working in funeral care - “Prepare to experience the most rewarding job that you’ll ever do”

Emma, 55, on working in funeral care – “Prepare to experience the most rewarding job that you’ll ever do”

“We loved them right from the start” - How Joyce and Elaine found fulfilment and purpose by becoming foster parents

“We loved them right from the start” – How Joyce and Elaine found fulfillment and purpose by becoming foster parents

Meet Connie and Margie - the amazing GrandNannies

Meet Connie and Margie – the amazing GrandNannies spending their 60s caring for children

How Lina and Caroline became carers in mid-life: “You care for others in this profession and it cares for you”

Why I left my high-powered management job to drive a patient transport ambulance

Retraining at 51 – how Heidi went from Education Officer to Relationship Counsellor

tina dennett

At a time when many are considering going part-time, Tina decided to do the opposite

Teaching careers

From engineer to maths teacher – how Sylvia, 55, changed careers in later life

From engineer to maths teacher – how Sylvia, 55, changed careers in later life

What’s it like to retrain as a secondary school teacher at 53?

Mark, 50 – “Although I became a swimming teacher later in life, I now see it as my future”

Mark, 50 – “Although I became a swimming teacher later in life, I now see it as my future”

“The best thing you can do is take yourself outside your comfort zone” – How Chris and Carol retrained as teachers in their 50s

“The best thing you can do is take yourself outside your comfort zone” – How Chris and Carol retrained as teachers in their 50s

How Frances went from army colonel to newly qualified teacher in her 50s

Rest Less member Keith Stewart on teaching abroad, the BLM movement and always having a plan

Finance careers

“It doesn’t matter how old you are” – Ruth, 60, on returning to a career in finance

“It doesn’t matter how old you are” – Ruth, 60, on returning to a career in finance

“Embrace the opportunities that come towards you in life” - how Ellen went from a small business owner to a household claims handler

“Embrace the opportunities that come towards you in life” – how Ellen went from a small business owner to a household claims handler

Becoming a Financial Coach at 60 – how stepping outside of my comfort zone landed me the life I was looking for

redundant at nearly 60

Redundant at 59 – it’s never too late to fall in love with a new career…

Hospitality careers

“When you step outside of your comfort zone, you never know what life will bring” - How Malgorzata and Natalja changed careers in later life

“When you step outside of your comfort zone, you never know what life will bring” – How Malgorzata and Natalja changed careers in later life

Kathy, 62, on working in security by the seaside – “I work with a fabulous team in a really beautiful place”

Kathy, 62, on working in security by the seaside – “I work with a fabulous team in a really beautiful place”

“It’s not about how old someone is, it’s about their attitude towards life” – Julie, 59, on changing careers in later life

“It’s not about how old someone is, it’s about their attitude towards life” – Julie, 59, on changing careers in later life

Retail careers

What’s it like to change jobs over 50?

Selfridges Jobs

After being forced to shut down her clothing business, Margaret found happiness in a new career…

“It’s very rewarding” – Natalia, 52, on working for Majestic Wine

“It’s very rewarding” – Natalia, 52, on working for Majestic Wine

Working with animals

Maggie and Harry

How Maggie’s decision to try something different led her to the “perfect” job…

After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Mark Pearson decided to make a bold career change in later life

Freedom, flexibility, and world travel –-- why Angela is still house and pet sitting in her 70s

Freedom, flexibility, and world travel – why Angela is still house and pet sitting in her 70s

Returning to work after a period of unemployment

Dee Flower

How Dee got back into work – eight months after retiring

How Sab and Sam returned to work after a period of unemployment

How Sab and Sam returned to work in their 50s after a period of unemployment

How an over-50s employability programme gave Sheila and Dean the confidence to return to work

How an over-50s employability programme gave Sheila and Dean the confidence to return to work

How an over 50s employability programme inspired Stephen and Nicola to try something new

How an over 50s employability programme inspired Stephen and Nicola to try something new

Returning to education later in life

How Christine went from having no job and no home to becoming a university graduate at 57

how mae fell in love with learning at 50

How Mae fell in love with learning at 50

After suffering a mental breakdown Moya turned to higher education

After suffering a mental breakdown, 78-year-old Moya turned to higher education

“I cried when they put the gown on my shoulders because it was something I'd wanted to do all my life” – Camilla on going to university at 50

“I cried when they put the gown on my shoulders because it was something I’d wanted to do all my life” – Camilla on going to university at 50

Finding a work-life balance

Life experience took me on a journey to becoming a part-time nanny at 60

How Susan found a happy work-life balance, several months after being made redundant

From an office job to outdoor field work - how Richard achieved a work-life balance at 60

From an office job to outdoor field work – how Richard achieved a work-life balance at 60

“I always try to leave people with a smile on their face” - How Jackie and David became school caretakers in later life

“I always try to leave people with a smile on their face” – How Jackie and David became school caretakers in later life

“Go out there and grab the opportunity!” – David on joining the Civil Service after recovering from a brain tumour

“Go out there and grab the opportunity!” – David on joining the Civil Service after recovering from a brain tumour

“At Haven, you get something back” – Julie, 63, on switching to seasonal work in later life

“At Haven, you get something back” – Julie, 63, on switching to seasonal work in later life

“There’s never a dull moment” – Jan, Ted, and Colin on becoming school caretakers in later life

“There’s never a dull moment” – Jan, Ted, and Colin on becoming school caretakers in later life

Following passions

Sports photographer Alex Rotas is challenging stereotypes on age and body image

“I’m just having the time of my life” – Graham McGregor-Smith on starting a music career in later life

“I’m just having the time of my life” – Graham McGregor-Smith on starting a music career in later life

How Moira ended up with four new job roles at 60

Elizabeth Hunt on why she is determined to make exercise accessible to people of all ages

Following a successful marketing career, David, 61, is on a mission to plant thousands of trees and get the nation moving

From fashion guru to talented artist: How Lucille Lewin chased her lifelong passion for art in her 60s

Botox injections and beta-blockers: the intriguing world of 75-year-old micro-artist Graham Short

“There are many barriers, but I see it as a means of growing into my best self” - How Abi, 52, is following her dream of being a songwriter

How Abi, 52, is following her dream of being a songwriter

"Everyone's got an artist in them" - an interview with 79-year-old signwriter Gerry Corlass

“Everyone’s got an artist in them” – an interview with 79-year-old signwriter Gerry Corlass

Suresh Sippy on being creative in later life

Suresh, 69, on being creative later in life – “It gives me a purpose and makes me feel young”

“Age is just a number” – Sian, 61, on working for an age-diverse employer

“Age is just a number” – Sian, 61, on working for an age-diverse employer

‘It’s become a passion’ – how Frances became a documentary filmmaker at 60

‘It’s become a passion’ – how Frances became a documentary filmmaker at 60

Entrepreneurship

5 entrepreneurs who started after 50

top 5 ceos

The UK’s top 5 CEOs over 50

From seeds to success – flower farmer Roz shares tips on growing businesses and blossoms

From seeds to success – flower farmer Roz shares tips on growing businesses and blossoms

Tricia Cusden on starting a make-up brand in her 60s – “I want to say that it’s fine to be older. You can still be beautiful”

Patricia Parker MBE

Patricia Parker MBE on setting up a life-saving charity, getting kidnapped in Sudan and meeting the Queen

Inchdairnie distillery, Fife

Risking it all – what led me to open a whisky distillery at 57?

David Prest

I was made redundant four times. Now I own a vintage-themed catering business and I’m training to be a Counsellor…

Han, 83, on entrepreneurship and winning EUR 10K funding for his app which keeps elderly people and their families connected

Chip Conley explains what it means to be a “modern elder” and why the midlife mindset is so important

How Phil Riley co-founded a radio station for over 50s: “Our listeners say it makes them feel young again”

How storytelling and design can influence age beliefs - an interview with This Age Thing co-founder Georgina Lee

How storytelling and design can influence age beliefs – an interview with This Age Thing co-founder Georgina Lee

Liz Warom on being a business owner at 63 - “I love being my own boss and I’ve got no intentions of giving up any time soon”

Liz Warom on being a business owner at 63 – “I love being my own boss and I’ve got no intention of giving up any time soon”

How Mona co-founded a luxury chocolate brand with a social cause

“Nothing’s as insurmountable as you might think” – Jo, 53, on starting a business later in life

“Nothing’s as insurmountable as you might think” – Jo, 53, on starting a business later in life

“You don’t lose your sense of style just because you get older” – a chat with Granny Gets a Grip founders

“You don’t lose your sense of style just because you get older” – a chat with Granny Gets a Grip founders

Influencers

Baroness Lola Young: “There’s potentially more freedom at 50, but there’s the potential for great responsibility too”

12 influencers over 50 who’re breaking barriers on social media

12 influencers over 50 who are breaking barriers on social media

Jeremy King Restaurateur

Jeremy King – on diversity, age in the workplace and the importance of state of mind

Rest Less Interview with Andrew J Scott

Alison, 58, on creating an age-diverse workforce and becoming a champion for older workers

Alison, 58, on creating an age-diverse workforce and becoming a champion for older workers

“Everyone believes so strongly in what we do” – Kali, 52, on how horticulture can help women prisoners

“Everyone believes so strongly in what we do” – Kali, 52, on how horticulture can help women prisoners

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