International Day of Older People – what’s on your doorstep?

Thursday 1 October is International Day of Older People, a day to celebrate the contribution older people make to our communities and to recognise the people, places and services that help us stay healthy, active and connected.

This year, we’re encouraging everyone to think about “What’s on your doorstep?”

What’s on your doorstep can make a real difference to how you age. It could be your local park, GP surgery, pharmacy, library, community centre, café, place of worship, social group or simply the friendly neighbours who make where you live feel like home.

However, what’s available – and how easy it is to access – is different for everyone. Things like transport, mobility, confidence or simply not knowing what’s available can make it harder to enjoy everything your local community has to offer. For some people, support comes to them through services such as home visits, mobile libraries or online activities that help people stay connected.

• Take some time this October to discover what’s available in your local area. You could:
• Join a coffee morning or event at your location, if one is taking place.
• Chat with your neighbours about local groups, activities or places they would recommend.
• Browse your local directory of services or community noticeboard.
• Find out about local organisations that could offer support or new opportunities.

If your location is organising an event for International Day of Older People, we’d love to hear about it. It’s a great opportunity to share ideas, make new connections and celebrate everything that helps make our communities welcoming and age-friendly.

We’d also love to hear your recommendations. Is there a local place, service or activity you’d recommend to others? Are there barriers that make it difficult to access your community?

Please share your thoughts by emailing: [email protected] 

Together, let’s celebrate the people, places and services that help make our communities feel like home.