What our Smile families and carers say...

“We are so lucky to have Say it with a Smile and all the amazing activities in such wonderful facilities.”

“You are all absolutely amazing, thank you to Hannah and the team.”

“Everything is always so perfectly organised and all the team are so amazingly friendly.”

“All these fantastic Smile experiences create so much pleasure and joy for all our Smile family.”

‘Say it with a Smile is a complete life-line for us.’

 ‘We absolutely love all the activities and come to everything – wouldn’t miss it.’

‘The events are so much fun with great entertainment – we can’t help but smile.’

‘We feel so welcome, looked after and have made such special friendships.’

‘Hannah and the Volunteers are always so helpful and have a wealth of knowledge which we have found a great support.’

‘The amazingly helpful Volunteers look after us and also give us a break so we can chat and catch up with friends.’

“Hannah, you and your team are ‘Super Heroes.’

“We had such a lovely time and what a happy atmosphere. My husband I felt so relaxed. Thank you all for making us feel so welcome.”

“We love your events and our clients will benefit so much from going out and connecting with other lovely people.”

Smile Stories 

Richard & Lesley's story

Lesley was diagnosed with dementia in her early 60's. Since she and her husband Richard discovered Say it with a Smile, they love attending our events together. They've made friends with other people who have early-onset dementia (diagnosed under the age of 65) and now help to run Smile's "Young Ones" early-onset group. Here's their story: 

Walter & June's story

Walter has been diagnosed with dementia. June is his partner. This is the story of how they dealt with Walter's dementia diagnosis together. In this video, they offer some helpful tips and ideas for managing the illness, with lots of laughs along the way:

Derek & Wendy

Derek was born in Hendon and remembers a childhood filled with both happiness and hardship. Bright and hardworking, he excelled at maths, science and PE at school.

His talent for gymnastics was quickly spotted by a teacher and, through dedication and practice, Derek went on to represent both his school and county before becoming Junior Schoolboy Champion of England. Sadly, financial pressures meant he couldn’t continue the sport.

At 15, Derek left school to help support his family and joined the GPO, now BT, eventually building a successful career as an engineer and later Commercial Manager. During his time there he worked at Bletchley Park, helping restore the historic Enigma and Colossus machines.

Derek and Wendy married in 1972 at St Margaret’s Church in Edgware and have two children and five grandchildren.

Always curious and eager to learn, Derek later earned an Open University science degree while continuing to work. He is wonderfully practical too — from changing car engines to building extensions and fixing household appliances, there’s very little he couldn’t turn his hand to.

Sport and travel have remained important throughout his life, with golf, squash and swimming among his favourites, alongside unforgettable trips to Australia, Thailand, Cambodia and Mediterranean cruises.

Jan & Tony

Christine & Bob

Christine and Bob have long been part of the Smile family and are well known for being first onto the dance floor. Bob’s lifelong passion, though, has always been football.

He started supporting Watford FC aged six and later became a prolific goal scorer for local Sunday league teams including Batford Wanderers and AFC Madrid.

Bob met Christine at a Christmas party while working at the Engineering Industry Training Board in Watford, and they married in 1980. He later built a successful career working for several major IT companies.

When their son Steven started playing football, Bob became involved in coaching and quickly discovered another passion. Over the years he coached and managed several youth teams, including Parkfield Youth, Beaconsfield, Brook House Youth and Western Rangers FC, whose Middlesex County Cup victory in 1993 made the whole family incredibly proud.

Bob also coached at Millwall FC, Watford FC, Luton Town and QPR, helping nurture young talent for many years.

The family eventually settled in Watford and now enjoy seeing their children and grandchildren building lives of their own. They’ve also shared many wonderful holidays together in places including Cuba, Thailand, Antigua and Mexico.

Eileen & Ian

Eileen grew up in Lincolnshire, while Ian spent his early childhood in Manchester before moving to South Ruislip aged three.

Determined and hardworking, Ian studied while working and attending evening classes to qualify as a Chartered Surveyor, eventually becoming co-owner of his own surveying company.

The couple met at a dance at Wembley Town Hall. Although Ian spent most evenings studying, he always made time for badminton — and Eileen happily joined in so she could see him.

Ian has always loved badminton, cycling and cars. Before settling down he dreamed of owning a Triumph Spitfire, though the famous car didn’t get very far on their honeymoon journey before the clutch gave up! Over the years he also owned cars including a Lotus Elise and a Porsche and enjoyed fixing them himself whenever needed.

Together they travelled widely, visiting destinations including New Zealand, Canada and India, as well as cruising through the Norwegian Fjords. Ian is also a loyal Watford FC supporter and attended the 1984 FA Cup Final at Wembley.

Married in 1971, Eileen and Ian have two children and a growing family they are very proud of. One especially memorable trip was celebrating a special birthday at the Monaco Grand Prix.

                  Vaughan & Bobby & Bobby

Vaughan grew up in Stanmore and studied catering before leaving college to help run the family grocery store in Hanger Lane.

Ambitious and entrepreneurial, he went on to build a successful hotel food supply business serving hotels across Oxfordshire, the South Coast and even the Channel Islands. Over the years he also explored many other ventures, including sports trophies, executive chauffeuring and even helping promote piña coladas.

One of Vaughan’s proudest achievements was his 29 years volunteering with The Samaritans. After hearing a radio appeal for volunteers in the 1980s, he trained to support people both over the phone and face-to-face, eventually becoming deputy director of the Harrow branch. His kindness and compassion helped countless people over the years.

As a young man, Vaughan was also a talented hurdler, representing Middlesex in both the 100 and 200-yard hurdles.

Vaughan met Bobby on a skiing holiday in Italy in 1967 — quite literally at the bottom of a ski slope. They married four years later and have two children. Together they’ve enjoyed many holidays in the USA visiting family in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Fundraising has always been close to their hearts too. Bobby once completed a tandem skydive for charity, while Vaughan went one step further and completed a solo parachute jump after training.

Above all, Bobby says Vaughan has always been a true “people person”.

Carmel & Tony

 
Tony was born during the Second World War and grew up in Borehamwood after his family moved south from Newcastle and Cumbria. At just 15, with encouragement from a careers teacher, he began training as an apprentice dental technician — a job he quickly discovered he loved and excelled at.

Specialising in orthodontics and dentures, Tony became highly respected in his field and eventually a partner in a dental laboratory. In 1986, Carmel joined the business to handle the administration, and the pair happily worked side by side for more than 20 years until Tony retired in 2010.

The couple first met through a church youth club that Tony ran in Borehamwood. After two years, he finally asked Carmel out on a date, and they later married in the same church in 1970. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Tony’s biggest passion has always been fishing, especially peaceful days course fishing with family picnics nearby in Cassiobury Park. He also enjoys football, supports Newcastle United, and over the years built impressive stamp and matchbox collections.

A keen sportsman, Tony played squash and badminton before health problems led him to gentler hobbies such as golf and snooker. Carmel says one of Tony’s greatest qualities is his wonderful sense of humour — something everyone still sees in his big beaming smile at Smile events.