Our Lives, Our Stories: The YEI Member Spotlight

Every life is a collection of remarkable moments. At YEI, we want to celebrate yours. Submit your story and you could be on your way to winning a fabulous prize!

What is the YEI Member Spotlight?

The YEI Member Spotlight is a new monthly feature where we share the honest, real-life experiences that are being lived within the YEI 55+ community. It exists to showcase the everyday ways people continue to show up, contribute, care, learn, change direction and live with intention.

These are not necessarily stories about being exceptional or extraordinary although they could be. We are not looking for superheroes or celebrities. We are looking for YOU. We want to share the stories that feel familiar, honest and recognisable. The inspiration comes from recognition – these are stories that make others think, ‘that feels possible’, ‘that feels familiar’, or ‘that could be me’.

Why is YEI doing this?

Too often, the experience of people over 55 is overlooked and not heard. Life experience deserves recognition and inspiration has no expiry date, YEI wants to change the narrative, hence the YEI Member Spotlight.

The YEI Member Spotlight is our way of quietly challenging that narrative by sharing real stories from within the YEI 55+ community. So if you are quietly making a difference, or you know someone who is, let us know.

What kind of stories are we looking for?

• There is no right or wrong way to tell your story. You might want to share a story about:
• A helping hand: How you show up for your family, friends, or neighbours.
• Small acts of kindness: Giving your time or care in meaningful ways.
• New beginnings: Starting a new hobby, business, or path later in life.
• A change of pace: Choosing a different priority or a slower way of living.
• Everyday life: Simply what it is like to navigate life after 55.
• Or you may have a story that reminds us that age is no barrier to courage, curiosity or contribution
  If a story feels honest and recognisable, it belongs here.

How it works

1. Monthly Features: From February to November, we will select one story each month to feature in our newsletter and on our website.
2. The Community Vote: In December, we will share all the featured stories from the year.
3. The Grand Prize: We will ask our readers in the YEI community to vote for the story that resonated with them the most. The winner will receive a R2000 cash prize plus a special surprise!

How to take part

You can share your own story or nominate a friend or loved one. Your story does not need to be perfectly written or fancy. It can be simple, quiet, or even a work in progress. What matters is that the story is real.

• All we need is for you to complete the form below, and include:
• Your name and contact details.
• The story written in your own words.
• A photo if you have one (preferable, but optional).
• Note: You are welcome to remain anonymous if you prefer.

An Invitation to You

This is not about standing out or being the best. It is about being seen and heard. If you have a story to tell, we would love to read it.

T’s and C’s

• Please note that this competition is open exclusively to YEI newsletter subscribers.
• If you are not a YEI newsletter subscriber, you agree to be automatically subscribed when entering this competition
• This YEI Member Spotlight will be run from February to November 2026
• YEI will select one story each month to feature in the YEI Member Spotlight, which will be showcased on the YEI website, in the YEI newsletter and on socials.
• The YEI Community will vote for the story that most resonated with them.
• Please note that the prize is awarded to the person featured in the story, not the person who submitted the nomination.
• The winner will be contacted directly by YEI, via email.
• No correspondence will be entered into with entrants of competitions.
• By entering this competition, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions
• I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored by YEI.

Please Note the Following

• Your personal data is collected and stored solely for YEI purposes related to this competition – specifically, to contact you if you win and to send you the free fortnightly newsletter.
• YEI values your privacy and will never share, sell, or disclose your data to third parties, except where required by law.
• By accepting these terms and conditions, you consent to the collection and storage of your personal data as described above.

A YEI campaign