AN OXFORD pensioner is telling others it’s never too late to change after a charity helped give her a new lease of life.

Marilyn Ching, 60, of Islip Road, Summertown, took a Changing Directions course run by Age UK that aims to teach older generations new life skills.

After a pilot run last year, the free course is now back in Oxford and ready for a new intake.

Mrs Ching said: “I can say without a doubt that this course changed my life.

“I retired in July but my husband hadn’t finished work yet, so I had to find things to fill my days. I thought I might like to do volunteering, but wasn’t sure what kind or how to go about it.”

Mrs Ching spent 44 years working as a PA and was daunted by the prospect of life after work.

She said: “It can be quite nervewracking after spending so much of your life at work, and my son, Lee, being grown up.”

Mrs Ching joined the course in September last year.

She said: “It was fantastic. I got all these ideas about what I could do with the rest of my life that I hadn’t had before.

“I now volunteer with the East Oxford Archaeology group, attending talks and learning about geo-physics.

“I’m also helping to get these courses out countywide, and volunteer at Sobell House hospice to organise events and fundraisers.”

She added: “I’m now busier than ever, out meeting people, and it’s all thanks to this course.

“I think people just need to know what’s out there.”

Organiser Katherine Hughes said: “Changing Directions is a friendly and relaxed course which aims to develop participants’ confidence and potential to help them identify how best to cope with change positively.

“During the first course we had a steady stream of people coming along as the course was running.

“As a result, new friendships have been made, several people have begun volunteering and many others have set up activity groups of their own.

“We highly recommend this course to anyone looking for a little motivation.”

Each session runs from 10.30am to 1pm at The Jam Factory in Park End Street and people are welcome to join at any point.

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk l Call Ms Hughes on 01865 776643 for more.