Ageing Without Apology

"Just find out what you can do and do it."

As part of our Ageing Without Apology campaign, we spoke to Prachi about retirement, walking, learning to cycle at 50 and again after 60, and why curiosity might be the secret to a happy later life.

Prachi Katdare came to this country from India around 20 years ago. After the initial struggles, she started volunteering with CSV Media Clubhouse. Few years later, Prachi and colleagues founded Ipswich Community Media and become one of the directors, working in the ESOL arm of ICM. Prachi defines herself as ‘somebody who came from abroad to a strange country and I adapted myself well and who has done something that has been helpful to many different communities and many different people.

Q: How did you imagine getting older would be like?

So, I think when you're a child, you don't really think about how you are going to get older and what you will be like at that point. But yeah, as I became an adult, I did start thinking about what my old age would look like. And I think you are mostly influenced by your parents, because you see them getting older and how they are coping with life and everything like that.

I think my mother has been a role model for me because she is now 87 years old or young, as you may want to say. And she's very active. She's very interested in everything going on in life. She's very interested in her daughters, such as myself and my sister, and all the other members of the family, and her friends. She reads a lot. She listens to music. So, she's kind of my role model.

So that was something that I thought, if I can do that when I'm her age, that will be the best thing for me.

I had lived in India for almost 46 years of my life, so I'd never really thought about going abroad and settling down over there. My husband got a job in the UK, and because he decided to move, I moved along with him. So that was not a plan as such, once he got the job, we started planning for it.

But before that, I never ever imagined that I'd be settling down somewhere else.

Q: What activity, physical or social, brings you the most joy or sense of purpose at this stage of your life?

Physical activity, I would say I enjoy walking a lot. So, myself and my husband, we keep going for long walks, sometimes short walks and stuff like that. And after I retired, I can give more time to this, because earlier it used to be just weekends. Now I have more spare time, and my husband has reduced his work as well, so we can go out more frequently.

I have also joined a walking group. There is a project called Way to Go Suffolk, which is a county council project. I signed up for that, and they organise brilliant walks close to where I live, which is Castle Hill. Through that project, I have discovered so many places close to my house that I never knew about, such beautiful places that you can go out for a walk. I love that, and I can do it more now. That is what makes it even more enjoyable for me.

The other thing I enjoy is volunteering. ICM has its own café called Roots, and I volunteer in the café.

It is so interesting, I have learned so many new things since I started volunteering there, like using a coffee machine, which I had never done before. I had never imagined using a barista café machine. So, serving the customers, learning different recipes from the chef there at home I cook mostly Indian style food, so I never knew anything about cooking British style food or food from other countries. That is what I'm learning. Learning new things always interests and excites me. So, I think I enjoy that the most.

Q: Has your attitude towards ageing changed? If so, what changed it?

I don't think so, because I think I'm the kind of person who has always accepted life as it was. When I came to this country, I knew nothing about it. I'd read about it, but reading something is different to actually experiencing it, like the cold over here.

I come from Mumbai, where if it is 25 degrees, we feel it is cold, and you feel it is really hot when it is 25 here. So, there is such a huge difference between the two countries. The food is different, the culture is different, the people are different. I just accepted that and thought, what can I do over here? Because the experience I had in India wasn't useful here. I had to learn so many new things and adapt myself a lot. I am very proud to say I am quite adaptable and flexible, and that has helped me in my life, and it is helping me now too, because retirement does change a few things in your life, isn't it? You are not busy all the time like you used to be. I have accepted that, and I'm looking for things that I can do now.

And because I have more time on my hands, I can do a lot more things than I was able to before.

"Your body is obviously not the same as when you were 30 or 40 years old, it is going to age, but you accept that change and you still keep doing the things you are capable of. And don't just let go."

Q: So, what does ageing well mean to you personally?

Keeping yourself physically and mentally active and not letting yourself get complacent just because you're retired now, thinking you don't really need to do anything, you can just sit at home and enjoy. You can't really enjoy it like that. You need to be physically active. You need to be mentally active. You need to learn new things. You need to meet people, because I come from India, we are very social. If I am just sitting at home, not seeing anybody at all, all through the day, just my husband, that wouldn't really work for me.

So, I think if you can do all of those things, you can keep yourself fit, and you can enjoy life.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is worried about getting older, or feeling like the best years are behind them?

I would say that everybody has to get older, because that is nature, isn't it? You are born, and you do get old. You don't really need to worry about that, it's a process of life, and you just accept it. And as I said, keep yourself fit, because that will keep you happy. And once you are happy, you will enjoy your life as much as you can, whatever age you are.

Again, I would say, my mum, even at the age of 87, is still enjoying life, so she is definitely my role model. And my grandmother, when she died, was 105 years old. That is something I have always thought I would like to be.

Being curious, never losing interest in life, not thinking that you are old now and can't do anything, because you can. Just find out what you can do and do it.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share about your story that maybe I haven't asked?

I'm still involved with ICM, because that also gives me pleasure, ICM has been the most important part of my life for the last 10 years or so. I haven't lost that touch as yet.

I've also started learning to cycle again, which is something I'm really proud of, because until I came to the UK, I had never cycled or driven a car. After coming here, when I was around 50 years of age, I started learning to cycle for the first time, and I used to cycle to CSV.

Then, unfortunately, my bike was stolen, and I didn't buy another one. For almost 13 or 14 years, I wasn't cycling at all, so I don't have much confidence now. Through the Way to Go Suffolk project, I have joined their beginners' cycling course, and it is helping me. I won't say I'm a confident cyclist, but at least I'm trying, I think keeping on trying is the main thing.

I do absolutely love it, especially the walking group, because there are other older people like me who are part of the group, and they don't really have anywhere else to use for socialising, meeting people, going out and about, and being part of nature. I think that is so important.

Sue has discovered a real passion for volunteering at Chantry Walled Garden. Hear how nurturing plants and connecting with others in the community has brought purpose and joy to her days.

Watch Sue's Story

"BreatheFit has transformed the way I move and feel".

Discover how a gentle exercise class became a regular part of her week, and why she keeps coming back. Watch here

For this volunteer, working outdoors at the walled garden isn't just about the plants, it's about staying active, staying connected, and feeling part of something meaningful.

Watch here

ActivSheds offers more than a workshop space, it's a place where people meet, create, and support each other. Hear from one volunteer about why this community matters so much.

Watch here