Articles CultureTelevisionMary’s Silver Service: TV show helps seniors back to work
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Mary’s Silver Service: TV show helps seniors back to work

By Silversurfer's Editor Jun 3, 2014

Reality TV host Mary Portas is determined to get over 65s back to work in a brand new show on Channel 4.

The new programme aims to put the wealth of skills and experience seniors have back into the marketplace and challenge employers to abandon old notions of ‘retirement age’.

The three part reality TV series follows a group of seniors find work through Mary’s pop-up recruitment agency. Contestants work in a range of industries, from catering to building.

Speaking about the motivations behind putting together a show like Mary’s Silver Service, Portas told What’s on TV: “We’re living in an aging society – people are living healthier and living longer, and therefore the retirement age isn’t as relevant any more.

“According to a lot of research many able-bodied people [who retire] don’t feel worthwhile any more. Huge amounts start watching TV and don’t know how they could possibly return to the community or get back into work. So we thought it was a great opportunity to set up a pop-up recruitment agency!”

The show offers a refreshing perspective about over 65s in the workforce, and aims to highlight that writing off pensioners as employees misses out on huge opportunities.

“I get approached with different show ideas, but I really wanted to do this one. I adored working with the over-60s in Mary, Queen of Charity Shops (2009), and really wanted to do it again, as it was a really uplifting experience,” Portas continued.

“They’ve a great sense of duty, commitment and loyalty, which I loved. Working with old age pensioners is inspiring, and taught me something.”

The idea proved popular with seniors from the outset – hundreds applied to be part of the show, many said they jumped at the chance to feel needed and useful again and to have a schedule with purpose.

You can catch the first episode of Mary’s Silver Service on Channel 4 at 8 PM on Wednesday 4 June.

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irene Moir
12th Jun 2014
0
Thanks for voting!
Cant silver surfers be used by the goverment to get rid of the passport backlog? an awful lot of them have office skills required and will have hab the nessary clearance to work for the gorvernment.
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Silversurfers
12th Jun 2014
0
Thanks for voting!
What a very good suggestion Irene 🙂
ReplyFlag as inappropriate
Ms Eileen Murphy
4th Jun 2014
0
Thanks for voting!
Well Done Mary for this program bringing in the Pensioners for a program of this type is very good and more important making them feel of some worth as I say as a pensioner we sometimes feel like the invisible generation when out and about on the high street shopping. Since I retired and with a disability and the usual aches and pains most of us have to content with. Big kids with Arthritis as I like to think I am. Since retiring and seeking out a new interest or hobby each year to mix and keep active, being on my own. This last year I have wrote a book to help other people with a chronic illness there is no cure for. but with the help of a special diet can stop painful flare-up of pain and effects many people worldwide. my book New Revised Edition of Recipe book for Interstitial Cystitis. ISBN: 978-909298-01-9. Best Wishes to you Mary Keep up the good work. Bless you. Eileen.
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