Why did I join Simply Forward?
Member Recollections
Peter's recollections.
I well remember the first time I walked into a local village hall where Simply Forward were holding their monthy gathering. I must confess, I nearly turned around and went back to the car. But the need for friends and company is quite strong when your wife of 42 years passes on and you are left alone. My way of life had disappeared overnight and I suddenly felt like a stranger in a strange land. The truth is that the day I walked into that village hall, my life changed. I would never have believed that I would meet and then become friends with, such a wonderful group of people. Someone once said that 'friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer'. Simply Forward is bursting with those sorts of people. So my advice is, don't turn around. Just walk into a new life.
Anne's recollections
My husband passed away suddenly seven years ago. As my children were living away from home I decided to move nearer to my daughter who had a new baby. When I settled in my new home she gave me the number for a contact in Simply Forward. As I knew nobody in the area I decided to try the number. I was contacted by a lady who said she would come and pick me up to take me to my first meeting.
I am glad I went and I have never looked back. The group is an excellent way to make friends and get out and about. The lady I got the number from originally has since become a good friend and has encouraged me to be more independent.
Mike's recollections
How did I arrive at Simply Forward? When I was divorced, I went from a full social life to a non-existent one. Friends seemed to disappear overnight (something, talking to other divorcees is quite common). Child minding and family were my mainstay, keeping me sane.
I decided that I needed to do something to expand my social life. I searched on Google and found the Simply Forward website. Decided I liked the range of activities that they did and called the number on the site.
A friendly voice at the other end, told me all about Simply Forward and then to clarify, it was not a dating/pickup group.
I met up with the group for the first time at IKEA. Took that deep breath as you walk up, butterflies in your stomach, smile stuck on your face………. We’ve all been there. I needn’t have worried. I was met with a warm welcome and now I have a good social life, some great friends and am so thankful that I made that phone call.
If any of the above resonates with you then call, you can improve your life and meet some lovely people in the process.
Geoff's recollections
WHY DID I JOIN??
Well, after my wife passed away on the day before our 35th wedding anniversary in 2009, I was alternately devastated, annoyed, and very lonely.
I saw an advertisement for Simply Forward and thought, “what can I lose?”
One phone call later, and I was hooked.
I have never looked back, I am an only child and my wife was raised in South Africa, where all her relatives are, so there was no family support mechanism to fall back onto.
From the day I joined, I realised that I now had a family supporting me. Like all families, some of your relatives can be a pain at times, but that is life.
I have tried to contribute to the group as much as possible, eventually becoming Chair for one year.
TAKE A CHANCE ON LIFE AND COME TO SEE US, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.
Ursula's recollections
When I retired, I had plans to get a puppy (I had never had a dog before), take on various volunteering roles and socialise with friends and family. I socialise with friends and family and I have two sons who live locally . My puppy has turned into the apple of my eye and I have made friends through walking him daily and I have done quite a bit of volunteering.
I don’t remember how I heard about Simply Forward but initially I only heard about the weekly drop in sessions at IKEA. I went along to some of these IKEA gatherings and was warmly welcomed. I gradually heard more about Simply Forward and other things that were happening. That was a few years ago and I now get involved in various activities and have more importantly made some lovely friends.’