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“My message to all the people my age (and younger!) is to give yourself a new lease of life, shrug off your ‘sell-by-date' and discover your inner joy!”
Having been made redundant at 48 and finding ageism hampering his efforts to get another job, Chris began volunteering in roles supporting older people, which led him to retraining as a fitness instructor all the way to dancing with the Silver Swans at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).
When Chris was made redundant from his senior management role, he felt that he’d been kicked out and left on the scrap heap. He looked for similar work but found that no-one was remotely interested in him – it felt like a brick wall of ageism.
Chris admits that he had probably held similar views when he was younger, saying, “When I was interviewing job applicants, back in the 1980s, I’m sorry to admit that I didn't look too favourably on older candidates, thinking them slower, less productive or lacking in ambition. Little did I know!"
“Ageism isn’t just affecting people’s ability to find employment, it sticks with you for the rest of your life. We do need to change how we age.”
Unable to find employment and wanting to challenge the ageism that he’d experienced, Chris began volunteering with organisations supporting older people.
Chris became involved in older people’s care; teaming up with a local geriatric physician and a local Age UK manager to promote home care for patients.
“When I visited residential and care homes, I was dismayed by the low levels of physical activity happening. That’s when I decided to spend two years of training as a fitness instructor with the YMCA, and a further year specialising in 50+ and chair-based exercise classes.”
“The benefits of exercise as you age are enormous. It’s not just physical; it’s the emotional, psychological, and social aspects that are so important too.”
Unfortunately, Chris had to call a halt to this very fulfilling period of teaching because of a heart bypass and later replacement hip surgery (from which he fully recovered).
“Later, I was shown an article in Saga magazine about the Company of Elders, a contemporary dance group for over-60s based at Sadler’s Wells. I just thought ‘wow! What a way to show the world what us older people are capable of, with performing arts!”
Chris signed up in 2003 and also enjoyed drama classes, public speaking, singing and piano lessons as well as a wide variety of dance genres; from jazz, hip hop, and flamenco to Bollywood.
“The camaraderie of the company, working as a team, with amazing role models, was incredible. We lost our inhibitions, which is maybe the opposite of what people might expect of older performers! The group felt glamourous and vivacious. We weren't perfect, but the audience loved it, which shows that it’s never too late!”
When Chris reached the company’s upper age limit of 80, he had to leave but then he happened to meet former ballerina Darcey Bussell at a book signing and she suggested he join the Silver Swans, the over-55's ballet company at the RAD. He has attended classes twice a week since 2021.
“Being part of the Silver Swans has been wonderful. It’s really lightened up my older age. It’s a friendly and supportive environment, sharing passion and excitement for the universal language of dance and music. There’s a glorious sense of freedom of movement and it’s excellent exercise, plus you never feel lonely! I go there twice a week, and the 90-minute journey each way is worth it every time.”
“My message to all the people my age (and younger!) is to give yourself a new lease of life, shrug off your ‘sell-by-date' and discover your inner joy! Hopefully you will inspire others too, whatever your passions or interests, but I’d definitely recommend dancing!”
