The story of 89-year old Joe Bartley and his search for a job has really struck a chord with me this week.
Joe, an ex-soldier and widower from Paignton, Devon, put an advert in his local paper offering his services in almost any job holding to cure him of boredom.
His advert read: “Work wanted. Senior citizen, 89, seeks employment in Paignton area. 20hrs+ per week. Still able to clean, light gardening, DIY and anything. I have references. Old soldier, airborne services. Save me from dying of boredom!”
He said that he was fed up of being “sidelined” for his old age, saying that he “wanted to pay [his] own blinking rent”, rather than relying on housing benefit. He was subsequently given a job at a local café clearing tables, following a huge national and international media following.
Joe’s wife Cassie died two years ago and the couple had no children, with all extended family based up North. Joe has been living in an apartment block that he says is like ‘solitary confinement’, because no-one talks or mingles with each other.
It’s no secret that old age and loneliness are big problems that charities are trying to tackle, so Joe’s efforts to get involved in the community shine a light on ways that this can be challenged in a very positive way.
His willingness is most likely something that many more elderly people share, so hopefully the media coverage he has gained will encourage older people to follow suit and look for small jobs to keep them occupied.
I would like to see Joe’s gumption echoed and become something of a revolution in the elder generation, which could even help to drive the local economy with more hands on deck, so to speak.
I know that before I had a full-time job, I spent my spare days twiddling my thumbs and I missed the camaraderie of a work environment, so I imagine this feeling isn’t dissimilar to how some elderly people feel, craving a sense of purpose.
And if older people have honed skills that could be utilised in the local community, then surely this is a win-win situation for businesses looking for an extra pair of hands.