Meet Hagley Road resident, Norman!

Norman Swan, a resident at ExtraCare’s Hagley Road Village, discusses his career, his favourite thing about retirement, his fundraising efforts and taking up cooking for the first time at 87!

I’m 87 and have lived at Hagley Road Village for six years, I was originally from Bartley Green in Birmingham. I spent two years in the army before I sadly lost my 17-year-old sister and had to return home to support my parents. I joined the TIA (Tactical Intelligence Army) afterwards and spent 20 years with them, before working at Austin Rover as a Safety Officer until I retired.

I’m married to Sheila, and we’ve been together 60 years this year! Together we have two children Wendy who lives in London and Andrew who lives in Birmingham.

At Hagley Road I take part in the intergenerational classes which meet once a month and the Veterans group here at Hagley Road. Sheila and I also like to fundraise for Birmingham Children’s hospital for many years and have raised £110,000.

My favourite thing about retirement has to be being with Sheila, we get on so well! We always have plenty to talk about. I have also recently started cooking as Sheila now has problems with her hands so I thought I would give it a try.