Never too late for a new start
Settling into a new neighbourhood can be tough, but Penny and John Burch are masters at the art of relocation.
Penny, 83, and John, 88, have spent much of their retirement pet-sitting, living temporarily in different towns across the UK. It not only fulfilled their desire to travel the UK, but was a fun way of getting to know different areas and people. Now, after 30 years of marriage, they’re settling down in Derbyshire, to be nearer to their son.
“We’re used to moving about. Our move to Chesterfield was different, because we are laying down roots, but the tricks to getting quickly settled are the same, you still need to get out and explore and enjoy meeting friendly faces.” said Penny.
The pair credit much of their newfound comfort to the local Oddfellows group, which provided a ready-made set of friends for them to start building their own social network.
Penny added: “One of the first things we did when we moved was to join the Oddfellows, which I think was the best thing we could do. Everyone was very friendly – it took about five minutes to settle in. We took a taxi the first week, and by the second week we’d been offered a lift by one of the other members.
“I think it’s one of the few groups you join specifically to make friends, not just because you share a hobby.”
John, a retired engineer and former aircraft engineer, has travelled all over the world during his career in the military and speaks seven different languages.
He said: “Once you make the decision to move, commit to it whole-heartedly. It’s not just about buying a house and making it look nice, you have to make an effort to integrate into the community.
For more than two centuries, the Oddfellows has offered friendship and support and is one of the UK’s largest friendly societies, with 404,000 members and 115 Branches.
It’s a non-profit mutual (membership from £25 per year) run by members, for members, to improve the quality of people’s lives.
Members are invited to regular social events run by their local Branch, such as coffee mornings, walks, craft sessions, lunches out, guest talks and excursions. There are also online activities and Oddfellows Travel group holidays, in addition to benefits such as care and welfare advice and support, special member discounts and historical archive access.*
John also added: “Whether you join
a local group like the Oddfellows, go to Church, or just sit and chat with people at the local café you’ll find your tribe.”
INFORMATION: To learn more about the Oddfellows (oddfellows. co.uk/newstart) and to receive a free information pack and local events diary, call 0800 028 1810 or email enquiries@oddfellows.co.uk.
*Terms and conditions apply to all member benefits and services. For details visit www.oddfellows.co.uk/ terms-conditions, or call
0800 028 1810.