AUTUMN is a busy time for Pat Simmonds. It is the season for grant applications and preparing for Christmas at Age Concern's Tulip Tree Centre in Castle Road, Kidderminster.

With a constant battle for funds to keep the day centre and its services going, she is full of praise for the volunteers and part-timers whose work she co-ordinates.

Their dedication has made it possible for the centre to provide specialist help in a range of ways for the elderly - from advice on form filling to running hobby clubs and outreach visiting for those stranded at home by disability.

It was nine years ago Mrs Simmonds took the post of development officer at the centre that is pleasantly situated next to the Staffs and Worcestershire Canal with a magnificent tulip tree in its grounds.

She was drawn to the advertisement that wanted someone to develop activities for the Age Concern branch because she wanted to do something worthwhile.

She loves a challenge. She studied the history of women's enfranchisement and is certain she would have been a suffragette if she had lived at that time.

Of the challenge she faces now she says: "I like to think I am able to encourage the people here to speak up for themselves and to make their lives more fulfilling. They deserve it. After all they did live through the war and went through the austerity after it. They have earned a little tender loving care."

She is concerned the older generation is not getting its due. "I am very worried about inequalities in health care. We have a problem of ageism. Society thinks if you get to a certain age you have nothing more to offer and that is very far from the truth."

Another major part of Mrs Simmonds' life is her abiding interest in writing. She loved essays for homework as a Kidderminster schoolgirl and has enjoyed a string of spells of journalistic work since she took the idea up seriously in her 30s.

She started writing for magazines on parenting when her children were young and she ran a playgroup.

She spent 12 years working for the Shuttle/Times and News as an advertising feature writer. She wrote "wining and dining" pieces twice a week and laughs about the unfair reputation she acquired when she was seen in pubs. "I'm afraid free drinks and meals didn't go with the job!"

Mrs Simmonds' first marriage failed and life took a cruel turn again two-and-a-half years ago with the death of one of her sons at the age of 31.

But a highlight in her life was meeting and marrying in 1985 Rock farmer and former Wyre Forest independent councillor John Simmonds.

Learning country life and sharing with him 12 grandchildren has been an enjoyable challenge and one she prizes all the more because of her personal tragedies.