Having recently been ill and having no children or partner to help me, it has become increasingly important for me to have contact with like-minded people. I am on Facebook so I have often looked at a website called “Ageing Without Children UK” (AWOC). I recently made contact with them and found out more about their goals and the way that they work.
I then decided to make contact with someone who had put messages on Facebook about starting a local group in Dartford & Gravesham. I went to a chinese meal with some very nice people who explained to me in more detail what the organisation was about. At that meeting, I was asked to be one of the founder members of a new local group covering the Dartford & Gravesham area. I leapt at the chance and I am so glad that I did! I only wish more people in the local area knew about us…
At Ageing Without Children Dartford & Gravesham, our purpose is to be a safe place where people that are ageing without children in the local area can share ideas, meet up to socialise, support each other and get information on topics important to them. The reason that someone may be ageing without children could be bereavement, choice, estrangement, infertility, distance etc. etc. If you are in the Dartford or Gravesham area you are more than welcome to join us, regardless of the reason.
It does not cost anything to join. It is more important than ever that people who do not have children (for whatever reason) have a voice. The NHS and government policies generally assume that you will have someone to look after you as you grow older. Not everyone does.
To participate, offer support or receive details of forthcoming events, you can email us at awocdg@gmail.com or join our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1275750534497166.
Susan Norris