As Genny Jones approached her 60th birthday, she asked herself, "What am I here for?"

Her professional background was in accounting, accountancy teaching and life-coaching - a precise and structured role. In contrast, Genny had a long-standing passion of dance. As she says, being born and raised in Sierra Leone meant that dance was part of everyday life, "in Africa, when a baby is born, you dance. When you reach puberty, you dance." And dance was still there in her heart.

She arrived in the UK at age 15, hitting a very different cultural scene and admits she struggled with language, identity and belonging. She was bullied and living in a shared single room, felt as if she was in a cage. Dance became her refuge and a way to express herself. She and peers got together at dance gatherings, practising traditional moves and found the sessions therapeutic.

Genny's life took on the usual responsibilities of marriage, motherhood and work. When her marriage broke down alongside redundancy, she suffered depression. By her early 50s she knew something had to change and started dancing at her kitchen sink while she worked out what to do.

When she read an article about becoming a life coach, she enrolled to train. She also got in touch with Gingerbread - the charity for single parents - and began volunteering. This started a desire to give back.

As she thought about her 60th birthday and her role in life, she made a decision. She signed up to the African dance organisation, KuKuWa Fitness and eventually passed the theory exam and shortly after turning 60 she qualified as a teacher of African dance.

Now she drives around in her yellow car decorated with rainbows, which she calls 'Good Vibes' - taking happy mobile dance sessions to community centres around North Kent. She encourages everyone to come as they are, "big belly, big bum, it doesn't matter. We're gonna shake it. Not in that provocative way … in a more elegant, classical way."

Alongside all this, she still uses her accountancy skills, helping charities to sort out their books and running accountancy training for charity employees.

What can we learn from Genny's journey?

Genny turned back to dance, which had made her happy, turning this into purpose by running dance sessions
She didn't try and do this all on her own. She joined Gingerbread and offered to help, not expecting anything back when she volunteered
Genny still earns an income, repurposing her skills to help charities, charging modest fees
She learnt new skills, qualifying as a dance instructor and studying to pass the exams - she didn't do this at first but kept trying and finally passed on her third attempt.
She turned back to her roots and childhood dance heritage
Her vision is joyous - to make others happy with dance, laughter and movement
Age has given Genny freedom. Rather than slowing down she has explored a new identity and roles.

Genny's story shows how later life can actually be the most meaningful and happiest times of our lives.

Source: Next-Up podcast, Re-think Retirement

Want to read more stories like this?