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Health & wellbeing

Carol Berridge: What brings me joy?

14 Dec 2020 | Written by Carol Berridge

Carol Berridge, member of The Joy Club and the Member Steering Group tells us what brings her joy

My name is Carol Berridge and I am 71 years old. I have five children, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with them all, although the different age groups can be rather challenging at times!


What brings me joy is mainly manifesting itself in the activities and antics that my grandchildren are still managing to achieve during this year of uncertainty. With the marvellous Zoom app and FaceTime we can do family quizzes and even play some virtual board games. Some of us can be really competitive!

Swapping meal ideas and bargain finds has become popular with us, replacing the family meals that used to be a big part of my life. We even did a Come Dine with Me night on FaceTime with family members giving us scores.

My occasional day trips to London and the theatre have been replaced with some of my great grandchildren putting on little song and dance shows that they video over to me. 

I spend a lot of time on social media which helps me to keep up with latest trends and news. Online shopping has taken over my food, birthday and soon to be Christmas shopping. I miss shopping for bargains and going to markets, but I am confident that this small joy will return soon. 

I find joy in so many things that I used to take for granted, such as taking my dachshund for a short or long walk, depending on how painful my arthritis is, and fellow dog walkers still happy to chat while socially distancing. I live with my youngest daughter, her partner and my five-month-old grandson. The absolute joy I get from seeing him and his gorgeous smile in the mornings is amazing. Living as three generations is never dull and we have the most wonderful debates. 

Despite the coronavirus, there is still so much joy to be experienced and I continue to be positive.