Eugene McGarrell

I served the public sector for more than 40 years. Despite my commitment to the sector I faced redundancy for the first time at the age of 58.

​

The public sector was relatively free from the spectre of redundancy, unlike the commercial world. So when it hit, it hit hard.

​

I experience age discrimination in my quest to seek work. For the first time I understood how discrimination feels. Helpless and angry, with nowhere to turn.

​

I decided if I was to enter retirement worry free that I needed a new strategy. I needed to reinvent myself.

​

So I got out there and connected with as many people as I could. And I went within to get clear on my purpose and how I was going to spend my days.

​

The freedom redundancy gave me allowed me to invest my time to reform. The people I connected with gave me opportunities, a sense of self and belonging. 

​

I learned to ask for help. And I have never looked back.

​