Lillian Trowell* from Oxford is partially sighted and slightly deaf, but in her early eighties she has just enrolled for her second university course in creative writing. She is writing her autobiography in form of short stories that are based on the lessons she learned ‘in the classroom of life’. She has always been eager to go to university, but didn’t get the opportunity till she retired.
Lillian says: ‘My father left us penniless when I was only nine. Growing up I thought life had to get better and learnt shorthand and typing.’
Lillian worked at the American Embassy during the war. She has a son from her first marriage and outlived her second husband. In her mid 50s she had to return to work to cope financially and became the office secretary at the Institute for Cultural Research.
When retired and struggling to make ends meet on her small occupational and state pension, a friend encouraged her to overcome her pride and apply for help to Elizabeth Finn Care.
Lillian says: ‘The support from the charity is tremendously reassuring. I no longer need to worry about the bills coming in. They also replaced my broken telly. Without it I would be completely cut off. I’m also able to buy more nutritious food and carefully read all the ingredients on the packet. Keeping my health is very important to me. Also knowing that I can turn to my caseworker at EFC in case of a big dental bill or household breakages helps a lot.’
Once a year, Lillian is visited by a volunteer who ensures that she receives all the help EFC can possibly give.
Lillian says: ’EFC thinks of me in so many ways. There’s the visit by a lovely volunteer and the birthday wishes and a cheque. At Christmas I receive a wonderful hamper, which lasts for quite a while and my caseworker always writes to me in a lovely, caring way.’
EFC has built me up and I feel very independent and am very grateful for that. Without EFC I would be out on a limb. I would have to live in a small room somewhere or go into a home. But I’m not ready for that. I’ve still got so much to write about.
*Concerned about her privacy and security our beneficiary asks us to use Lillian Trowell instead of her real name.
