Beating retirement blues

Updated: 13 Jun 2023

A couple from Ipswich say the Oddfellows helped fill unexpected gaps in their retirement. Now busy members of their local Branch, Kevin and Teresa are keen to share how they're making the most out of their free time.

Initial excitement

After working for more than 40 years, IT expert Kevin Marrable and secondary school teacher Teresa were both confident they would have plenty to keep them entertained during retirement.

But the pair said the initial excitement of being out of work and without stress soon wore off, prompting them to find new ways to spend their time.

Teresa and Kevin with the friends they've made at Ipswich Oddfellows, pictured third and fourth from left.

Desire to stay busy

Teresa, 65, said: “Retirement didn’t faze me at all – I was looking forward to it. I spent time at home doing all the things I wanted to catch up on, I wanted to relax and get back to feeling myself after a very stressful job.

“I’m very self-sufficient, but after a while I got itchy feet and I wanted to keep my brain active. Teaching is very demanding and hard work, but I really enjoyed it, and that desire to be busy just didn’t go away because I was retired.”

She added: “Lots of my friends were still working but we know Wendy – the social organiser of the Ipswich Branch of the Oddfellows – who suggested I give it a try.

“Because the Oddfellows is open to everybody you can meet people with a whole range of different experiences. You can go along to an Oddfellows meeting and have a chat with someone sitting next you to discover that they’ve had the most amazing experiences – it can be quite a surprise!”

Opportunities to give back

Teresa, who is now Chairman of the Ipswich Branch of the Oddfellows and has been a member for five years, added: “The good thing about the Oddfellows is that it’s varied – there’s something to suit everyone’s needs and tastes.

“The option to volunteer, even if it’s just signing up to wash up each week or help clear away, can be really good for your mental health and wellbeing, and give you that sense of purpose and reward of working as part of a team.”

Kevin, 68, ended up going back to work as an IT expert in a school after taking early retirement from BT aged 53, but retired for good when he was 63.

He said: “When I retired from BT, Teresa was still working so I started some home projects, but I quickly became bored. I missed talking to people, so I started helping out at a local school and eventually that turned into a part time job.

“When Teresa retired it was the right time for me too. We’ve been able to join different groups together.”

The pair are also members of a camera club, RSPB and Suffolk Wildlife Trust, with Kevin as Trustee on the Oddfellows committee and Teresa also acting as a welfare visitor and delivering craft sessions.

Meeting a mix of people

Teresa added that socialisation doesn’t stop within the local community. She said: “Another good thing about the Oddfellows is that we’ve met people from all over the country through online quizzes and events. We also like the cruises with the Oddfellows. It’s fantastic because you get to meet people from all walks of life which we really enjoy.”

Teresa and Kevin are both members of the Ipswich Branch of the Oddfellows.

To find out more about upcoming events and activities at the Branch, call Secretary Lynne Wyatt on 01473 251 867 or email lynne.wyatt@oddfellows.co.uk.

Oddfellows friendship groups

Whether you want to stay fit and active, find new ways to give back to the community, or you’re looking for new ways to keep occupied in retirement, the Oddfellows is a great place to start.

We're always ready to welcome new members to our local Oddfellows friendship groups.

You can find your nearest by using our Branch Finder, or use our Events Finder to search for social events and activities happening near to where you live or online.

Contact us to request your free information pack and local events diary.