![I'm a 90 year-old CARER!](https://cdn.magzter.com/1395487445/1716360679/articles/fj7oemLS01716366385764/IM-A-90-YEAROLD-CARER.jpg)
Ever since she was a Brown Owl for the local Brownies club when her children were young, Shirley Galsworthy BEM has known the power of community and the importance of helping others. 'I like to feel needed and that's a big thing as you get older,' says Shirley, from St Albans. 'In my job as a carer now, I'm needed and I am helpful. I don't think you should ever stop contributing to your community.'
Shirley, now 90, and her husband, Rob, married when she was 18. They had four children, but sadly Rob died just six weeks after being diagnosed with intestinal cancer when he was 35 and Shirley was 30.
'I never remarried, and our children and family grew up and moved all over the country and the world, with one of our granddaughters moving to Australia,' says Shirley. 'There are now five generations in our family and I am a proud great-great-grandmother. I hope to be a role model for the younger generations.'
After becoming a widow, Shirley needed to provide for her children as a single parent. She took in foreign students and worked as a foster parent, then started working in social care, specialising in helping teenagers start their adult lives after leaving the care system.
Volunteering was always important to her too. She would find time to drive elderly neighbours to hospital and dental appointments, and take part in an initiative cooking for the homeless.
Bu hikaye Woman's Weekly dergisinin May 28, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Woman's Weekly dergisinin May 28, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
![Love is a BANANA SPLIT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/v8Jko9-U81716966078034/LOVE-IS-A-BANANA-SPLIT.jpg)
Love is a BANANA SPLIT
Did Mum's new boyfriend know the way to a woman's heart?
!['I still remember poems I learnt at school'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/4tIQgYSUm1716965843287/I-STILL-REMEMBER-POEMS-I-LEARNT-AT-SCHOOL.jpg)
'I still remember poems I learnt at school'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Actor and Jane Asher
![CHERRY GARDEN Street](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/z5LJZDsXM1716965102641/CHERRY-GARDEN-STREET.jpg)
CHERRY GARDEN Street
It was a place of magical childhood memories- but was it home?
![JERSEY shores](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/82IazIsR31716964744632/JERSEY-SHORES.jpg)
JERSEY shores
Beautiful beaches and a mash-up of British and French culture make this island a delightful destination
![Lovely lighter DINNERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/RI5E_Tbg61716964384407/LOVELY-LIGHTER-DINNERS.jpg)
Lovely lighter DINNERS
Whip up a healthy and nutritious meal
![Looking after our WORLD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/Csp0Px6Ea1716963848299/LOOKING-AFTER-OUR-WORLD.jpg)
Looking after our WORLD
Two women talk about their efforts to help better the environment
![Summer SURPRISES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/5NtAM1htp1716963319887/SUMMER-SURPRISES.jpg)
Summer SURPRISES
For a weekend treat, try these classic bakes with a twist
![200 years of heroism](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/_3oP5YONS1716962922319/200-YEARS-OF-HEROISM.jpg)
200 years of heroism
The RNLI celebrates its bicentennial of saving people from the sea
![Cut your risk of HEART DISEASE!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/TJLNYTh5o1716960966082/CUT-YOUR-RISK-OF-HEART-DISEASE.jpg)
Cut your risk of HEART DISEASE!
Some things can increase your chances, including menopause and diabetes. Here's what you need to know – and what you can do
!['I want Bob Dylan to join the cobbles'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5908/1714247/p3Y6DfR-41716960615152/I-WANT-BOB-DYLAN-TO-JOIN-THE-COBBLES.jpg)
'I want Bob Dylan to join the cobbles'
Dame Maureen Lipman on ageing, her dream co-star in Corrie and overcoming tragedy