From the summer of 2015, myself and my two colleagues facilitated 19 peer-support groups for people aged over 55 across London. By bringing people together and lending our ears we were granted a rare and privileged insight into the lives of people who had come to live in extra care or retirement housing.

We found that too many older people are never granted the opportunity to reminisce about the person they have been and to reflect on what life means to them today. Facilitating these conversations unearthed a wealth of invaluable experience once forgotten.