Older People. Sharing Stories

Shine publishes a printed magazine, full of older people’s stories. Since 2020, we’ve delivered over 100,000 copies of the magazine to older people in Leeds who are isolated or lonely. We’ve featured opinions, memories, life-stories, health tips, information and more – all from and for older people. Everyone has a story to tell: there is no such thing as an ‘ordinary’ life.
In the latest issue of Shine we talk to Leeds-born artist and poet Khadijah Ibrahim about how she uses her family background as a catalyst for creativity. We try to bridge the generation gap and unite Boomers and Zoomers with a shared purpose.
Rob Milburn tells us about his experience of being a Royal Marine in the Falklands War - he looks back on 28 days that defined his life. And we look back to the 1980s to hear how a young social worker changed the way older people are supported in Leeds. Plus our usual mixture of stories from ordinary and extraordinary older people across Leeds and Yorkshire.
Download the latest issue or read a selection of the articles below.
latest issue
FEB/MAR 2023 ISSUE
From the magazine
In Focus
Boomers vs Zoomers
How do we think about getting older? Many of us are living extremely active lives, well into our 90s. Often, the way we live is dictated by a particular mindset.
Isn’t it time we ditched the stereotypes and embraced a new vision of ageing?
WORDS: TOM BAILEY
In Conversation
Word Play
Khadijah Ibrahiim
Khadijah Ibrahiim is a writer, an artist, a photographer, a performer, a theatre-maker - and more. Twenty years ago, Khadijah created Leeds Young Authors and inspired a new generation of artists. Ruth Steinberg meets her to find out about how her heritage informs her creativity, how important it is to connect with people, and how she’s always playing with words
Real Stories
INTERVIEW: PAUL ATKINSON
PHOTOGRAPHY: JONATHAN TURNER
28 Days

Rob Milburn was in the Falklands for just twenty-eight days in 1982, but his role in the conflict has come to shape his life. Rob looks back to his time in the Royal Marines and reflects on what happened in the South Atlantic over 40 years ago.
A Grand Day Out

A Grand Day Out
M&S ARCHIVE
The Shine team go back in time and delve into the M&S Archive
WORDS: LORRAINE HARDING, DAVID SMITH,
PAUL ATKINSON
PHOTOGRAPHY: DANIEL JOHNSON
Health & Wellbeing
THE JOY OF DANCE
Bharatnatyam Dance
Dimple Vyas shares her inspirational story of how she took up dancing in later life.


Living well with Dementia
Nearly a million people in the UK are affected by dementia. Dementia isn’t just about memory though – it can affect our ability to read, write and causes problems with balance and coordination. However, you can live well with dementia. We find out how.
Memories of .......

A City for all ages
ds is on the way to becoming an Age Friendly City. Every area of Leeds has a local organisation specifically for older people. But where did these “neighbourhood networks” start? We look back to the 1980s, when a young social worker found a new way to support older people in Belle Isle and we meet some of the people he inspired along the way.
Special Feature

Travel Tales
First Buss
Rediscover your freedom on with the Senior Pass!
We meet people at Leeds City Bus Station who are keen to get on the buses.

Podcast

SHINECAST
Rethink Ageing
As we get older, we start to think differently about age. We sit down with three interesting people to pick their brains on how they view the ageing process. Can we alter our mindset and keep ourselves young? Featuring writer Peter Spafford, and Shine regulars Mally Harvey and Ruth Steinberg.