Age related case studies

Gordon’s making history, aged 80

Gordon, aged 80, has been a volunteer at Wigan Archives and Local Studies for eight years.

His current project involves him painstakingly transcribe a diary written in the 1660s by a local man Roger Lowe from Ashton.

The diary is part of the treasured Edward Hall collection and gives a unique insight into working class history of the period.

Gordon’s transcriptions will be typed up and digitised – preserving the document for future generations.

Gordon, a retired grammar school PE and English teacher, said: “I get a lot of satisfaction volunteering here and you learn all the time.

“I am really interested in learning about the history of working class people and learning about their lives and the issues of the day.”

Gordon, whose wife Kath passed away 20 years ago, is one of a number of hardy volunteers at the archives helping to preserve the history of Wigan, Leigh and the surrounding towns and villages.

He said: “There is a social side to volunteering as you meet like-minded people. You meet very good friends, a lot of lasting friendships.

“Volunteering for older people is another excuse to get up in the morning. It gets you out of the four walls and is great if there's an interest you want to pursue.”

Hannah Turner, local and family history officer with Wigan Council, said: “Gordon is a fantastic volunteer and a lovely person.

”Last year 75 volunteers gave over 7,500 hours of time to support Wigan Archives and Local Studies.

“Gordon and volunteers like him bring so much value to the service and we are proud of all of them.”

Isaac’s a role model for the community, aged 77

For many years he has supported tenants to improve their area.

He said: “I volunteer to help make the area a better place to live in. There are good people in Worsley Mesnes and over the years we have really helped improve the estate.”

As well has helping to improve the estate the group organises trips away for elderly people in the summer and an annual Christmas party to bring the community together.

Isaac, 77, a great-grandfather of four who has lived in Wigan since 1961 after emigrating from Nigeria aged 25, was this year selected as a role model for volunteering in a national competition.

Issac said he was now keen to get more people to volunteer in his community.

He said: “I am not getting any younger! We are trying to encourage younger ones to volunteer and to get involved.”

Kevin brushes club with love, aged 76

The club is a haven for hundreds of bowlers and is kept in beautiful condition in no small part thanks to Kevin’s skill with the paint brush.

Kevin, 76, is a retired painter and decorator and uses his painting skills to keep the white boards, fences, seats, railings, gates and clubhouse colourful and smart with his brush.

There is always part of the club that needs to be spruced up and Kevin’s painting is admired by visiting players.

“When people come from other clubs they say ‘You’ve been at it again Kevin’,” he jokes.

The bowling club serves a wider purpose than simply a sporting venue.

Kevin, a grandfather-of-five, said: “The season is ending but there are still lots of people who are coming here. Some have lost their loved ones. It’s very social and is therapy for a lot of people.

“It’s not just a bowling club, it’s a community.”

Photo of MatthewMatthew's advice, aged 15

People should be respected no matter what your faith or belief or anything to do with them that’s personal. If you want to call them out for it, what’s the point of that. If you’re being bullied I’d say just tell someone, speak out about it, tell a teacher, a parent, a guardian. If we don’t speak out the bullies are just going to carry on.

For young people in Wigan community I think people sometimes underestimate how much they can achieve. When I’ve tried to get involved with things, being young myself, sometimes adults don’t want you to get involved or don’t think your opinions have worth.

People just need educating so that they understand different communities and this will hopefully help to slowly stop discrimination.

To other young people who feel discriminated against because of their age, I’d say no matter how many people try and put you down, carry on, as your opinions are worth it.

© Wigan Council