Love blossoms Calderdale Silver Linings Carer Support

Published 12 October 2026

A Making Space group bringing older carers together in Calderdale, West Yorkshire has led to a particularly happy connection – and a wedding!

Jenny Bromley, 84, and Gerald Bromley, 81, from Barkisland, met through our Young at Heart group and married at Barkisland Church earlier this year.

Young at Heart is a friendly monthly social group for carers aged 65 and over, the people they care for and carers who have recently been bereaved. It is part of our Calderdale Silver Linings project, which is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and helps older unpaid carers stay connected, look after their wellbeing and access the support they need.

From friendship to something more

Jenny originally attended Young at Heart with her late husband, for whom she was an unpaid carer.

When her husband moved into a care home, Jenny continued coming along to the group, which remained an important source of friendship and connection following his death.

And it was through Young at Heart that she got to know Gerald.

Gerald was a Community Transport volunteer who regularly picked Jenny up and brought her along to the group. As they spent more time together, a friendship began to grow – although Jenny admits she already "had her eye on Gerald".

It took a little encouragement from Young at Heart worker Louise to move things along. After joking with Gerald that perhaps he should give Jenny a call, he took the hint!

Those first conversations developed into a relationship built on companionship, laughter and shared experiences.

Then, earlier this year, Jenny and Gerald made it official, marrying at their local church in Barkisland surrounded by family and friends.

Kath Hird, Carer Support Worker at Making Space, said:

Jenny and Gerald's story is such a wonderful example of what Young at Heart is all about – bringing people together, helping them feel connected and creating friendships at a time in life when people can sometimes find their world becoming smaller.

Of course, we never imagined that one of those friendships would end in a wedding! We are absolutely delighted for Jenny and Gerald. Their story has brought so much happiness to everyone involved with the group and shows just how powerful those opportunities to connect with other people can be.

Young at Heart is just one part of the support available through our Calderdale Silver Linings project.

The project also offers Carers Catch-Ups – informal, personalised one-to-one sessions where unpaid carers aged 65 and over can talk confidentially with a dedicated support worker.

Whether someone needs a listening ear, information and advice, support to access local services or simply some time to focus on their own wellbeing, the sessions are shaped around the individual carer and what matters to them.

Kath added:

So many carers spend years putting somebody else's needs first. Having somewhere they can come, feel welcome, enjoy themselves and make connections of their own really matters.

We couldn't have wished for a happier outcome for Jenny and Gerald, and everyone at Making Space wishes them many very happy years together.

Jenny and Gerald's story is a lovely reminder that Young at Heart isn't simply about getting out of the house for a few hours. It's about friendship, belonging and making new connections – and sometimes those connections can turn into something very special indeed.