For Brighton Wellness Hub Mah-Jong teacher Murial, life has become more meaningful thanks to new support networks and a broader sense of purpose.
Murial, who had her ninetieth birthday just recently, has recently experienced social isolation and a number of health issues which have made her life difficult.
Since attending community activities and teaching Mah-Jong at the Brighton Wellness Hub, she has established new friends and support network.
This is Murial’s story as told by Consumer and Community Partnerships Manager Claire Harrison.
Murial’s story
The importance of social inclusion can’t be underestimated in health and wellbeing, just ask Murial who has found support and a greater sense of purpose.
“Murial is a lady who lives locally and was the first person to access the Brighton Wellness Hub when we opened three years ago. She lives alone and suffers from a number of health issues.
“Initially one of our volunteers, whose cultural background is Chinese, began a class teaching the Chinese version of Mah-Jong, which Murial joined. Over time, the group wanted to learn the English version as well, so Murial, who can teach it, nominated herself to undertake the task.
“Over the past two years, when we have been open, she has run a Tuesday afternoon Mah-Jong session and taught new players the intricacies of the game. The group continues to meet and play and new people join, and Murial assists them.
“Recently Murial had her 90th Birthday and the Mah-Jong group wanted to give her a birthday afternoon tea, which they did at the Hub after their weekly game.
“Murial, who is a woman of few words, started her thank yous by saying that she wanted to thank the group, because she believed she would not have been celebrating her birthday had it not been for them and the opportunity to take on the activity of teaching Mah-Jong.
“In fact, she said she would not have been here because at 88 years of age, when she started this, she had all but decided she didn’t want to be around.
“She is not able to walk easily and she is in a great deal of intolerable pain. However, meeting with the group regularly, building a strong friendship group (who now meet outside of the Hub), and having a purpose for being, has resulted in her ambition to keep going.
“Although her physical health has not improved, her quality of life and her additional years of life have improved because of the social connections and the purpose she has found.”