Hannah always cherished her conversations with her Granny and Grandad, whether in person, over the phone, or through handwritten letters.
Following the loss of her grandparents, Hannah has been determined to ensure that no older person is left without someone to talk to. Her generous support of Age UK’s work, including multiple runs in the Leeds Abbey Dash and her involvement in the Age UK Telephone Friendship Service, is a testament to this commitment.
Staying Connected
“Granny and Grandad were always there for me,” says Hannah. “Their enduring love and companionship are the foundation of so many cherished memories for me. Even now, whenever I visit their old house, I am reminded of the happy times we shared.”
Despite the distance resulting from university and career pursuits, Hannah remained steadfast in keeping in touch with her grandparents. “When I moved to Bristol, I felt further away from my family in the north. My busy life made it overwhelming for Granny and Grandad to keep up with my phone calls. So, I began writing to them instead. It felt like a conversation, allowing them to read the letters at their own pace.”
Her dedication to communicating regularly with her grandparents later inspired Hannah to join the Age UK Telephone Friendship Service. “I wanted to continue the connection and make a difference, especially after seeing the impact of loneliness on older people during the pandemic. Thinking of my Granny and Grandad, I decided to volunteer,” she explains. “I also saw it as an opportunity to connect with someone of their generation and honor their memory.”
