Dr Hilde Sørensen
positive-ageing researcher
Upbeat; purpose protects health
Not Done Yet
Within a month of retirement Victor feels useless, and within three he is lonely.
Planned · not started yet
Ageing & later life Second chances Belonging City life Hopeful Lightly witty
The premise
Within a month of retirement Victor feels useless, and within three he is lonely. He sets out to build purpose, health and connection as deliberately as he once built bridges, and finds that a widowed neighbour is doing the same.
The protagonist
Victor Thornbury-Ravenscroft — 67-year-old retired engineer
The council
Every council member is an original fictional character. None represents, quotes or is endorsed by a real person.
Martha Ilesanmi
volunteer coordinator
Warm; volunteering builds connection
Tom Sandoval
physiotherapist
Practical; movement keeps independence
How the story moves
A year of retirement; absorbs the former Company concept, and Victor’s friendship with his neighbour grows into something neither expected.
What readers take away
- How purpose affects health in later life
- Loneliness and its health risks
- Finding volunteering that fits
- Physical activity for healthy ageing
- Lifelong learning
- Building social connection
- Managing identity after work
- Planning a meaningful week
- Plan finances for an active retirement
- Use the University of the Third Age and similar groups
- Build exercise habits after 65
- Mentor younger people
The books
- 1Retired Planned
- 2Lonely Planned
- 3Volunteer Planned
- 4Belonging Planned
Book titles are working titles and may change before publication. No book is on sale until the complete series is finished, checked and released.