Retirement was not attractive, says new therapist

David Goodman, who is 72, now works as a counsellor after being in the jewellery trade for 45 years

A grandfather of six has switched careers at the age of 72 as "retirement was never attractive".

David Goodman, who lives in South Wootton, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, spent 45 years working in the jewellery industry, but decided to train as a counsellor after the Covid lockdowns.

He had moved from South Africa to Norfolk to be closer to his family in 2020 and was inspired by his partner to change careers.

Mr Goodman, who now runs his own practice, said his decision had been "fulfilling - it's fantastic".

He said his new career had been "about finding out what you want".

"You've got to open your eyes to what you want to achieve - suddenly all the wheels start to turn and everything's available, particularly in this country," he said.

"It starts with an idea, a thought, but you've got to be open to it."

Mr Goodman said he was inspired by his partner Ashleigh (left) who gave up hairdressing to retrain in foot care

The father of five emigrated to be with two of his children and grandchildren.

He continued his work in the jewellery and watch wholesale trade, helping his son and son-in-law in the family business in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

Yet when his partner Ashleigh, wanted to change careers from hairdressing to being a foot health practitioner, Mr Goodman said it spurred him on to try something new too.

He said he had counselling since he was 40 and was backed by his therapist, who had also moved to the UK, before taking the plunge in 2021 to go back to college and study for a post-graduate diploma in Norwich.

Mr Woodman said the therapy's "positive effect" on his own life "fuelled the huge commitment required to qualify as a counsellor".

Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk, he said: "Retirement was never attractive because not waking up with something to look forward to was not attractive to me."