“MCVC has been a life saver, like I said I was really down, I’d been married for fifty-four years and four months, she died on the 16th November at 3 o’clock.” - Michael from MCVC

Michael has been attending MCVC for the past three years. As he approaches, he is already joking around putting us at ease with his easy-going manner. He heard about the group from a colleague from his volunteering role at the NHS, who suggested that it might be the right place for him to go. 

After Michael’s wife passed away in late 2019, he had been feeling - in his words - “down in the dumps” and it was suggested that MCVC could be the right fit for him to meet new people and get out of the house. He says when he walked through the doors within ten minutes he was laughing; the banter reminded him of his days in the service. Michael served for nine years with the 9 12th Royal Lancers from 1963 – 1972 and wears his regimental badge with pride. 

Sheffield born and bred, Michael has had an interesting life but above all what shines through is the love of his family. His recollection of meeting his wife Glennis for the first time whilst babysitting for her brother in 1964 is amusing yet full of warmth and fond memories, even if she did think he was a “stuck up bugger” at first. They married a year later on the 11th June 1966 in Handsworth, Sheffield. After serving in the Army, Michael went on to do few different jobs eventually becoming a driving instructor which was his career for twenty-nine years until he suffered a stroke that made him unable to drive.

Over the years Michael has had a few medical setbacks that have weakened his body, though they have definitely not decreased his quick wit and light-hearted banter! 

Attending MCVC has helped him feel connected and part of something, going on day trips to different places such as Cleethorpes, he even went and walked Alpacas. All of this he did with the support of Christine, who is obviously at the heart of the organisation and in the hearts of the people who are taken under the wing of the group.

For the first time this year Michael took the plunge and went to Gran Canaria by himself, although he said it felt strange not having his wife by his side, he enjoyed it and is planning his next trip away soon.

In his own words Michael says that “MCVC has been a life saver, like I said I was really down, I’d been married for fifty-four years and four months, she died on the 16th November at 3 o’clock.” 

“Right, ought else?”

Interview from our zine IT COMES IN WAVES