‘Age Friendly Reading’ Event to Celebrate Older People’s Day 2019

READING will be celebrating National Older People’s Day 2019 with a free fun packed event on Monday 30th September, highlighting the contribution all older people make to the Reading community.

The free event hosted at the Broad Street Mall will run from 10am to 3pm. The theme of this year’s event, organised by Age UK Berkshire and Age UK Reading, with support from Reading Council and members of the Older People’s Working Group, is ‘Age Friendly Reading.’ The aim of the day is to bring people together – connecting all older people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to other communities and to local services. The event starts at 10am and will be followed by a host of free entertainment including live musical performances from local choirs and ukulele players, with the opportunity to join a guided tour of the Reading Abbey. There will be over 40 information stalls, with organisations ranging from advice and support agencies to social and exercise groups, with representation from the different communities across Reading.

Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care, Cllr Tony Jones, said:

“Older People’s Day is a lovely chance to celebrate later life and the huge contribution older people make to our communities. This wonderful free event aims to celebrate these achievements and I’d encourage people to come along and join us. “There will be an opportunity to try a variety of interesting activities and entertainment, as well as information stalls for local services and support. For those with an interest in history, there is a guided walk of the Abbey Ruins on offer. Please spread the word, invite your friends and anyone you know who might benefit.” For more information please call 0118 937 2383, email opwg@reading.gov.uk Follow #OlderPeoplesDayRDG

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UK Older People’s Day is on 1st October every year to coincide with the UN International Day of Older Persons. The main aim for the day is to be a celebration of the achievements and contributions that older people make to our society and the economy. Older People’s Day supports the campaign to challenge negative attitudes and outdated stereotypes. Organisations supporting the event with information stalls include: · Age UK Berkshire · Age UK Reading · Sheltered Housing RBC · Thames Valley Pensioners · Royal Berkshire Fire Rescue Service · U3A Retirement Club · Carers Hub · Older People Mental Health Team (OPMHT) · Talking Therapies · AB Walker & Son Ltd - Funeral Directors · Redland Healthcare · Depression Xpression · The Stroke Association · Healthwatch Reading · South Reading Patient Voice · Alzheimer's Society · Macmillan Cancer Research · A2 Dominion · Engage Befriending · Integrated Care Home Service (BHFT) · Key to Health Fitness & Social Group · Shared Lives (RBC) · Action on Hearing Loss · Royal British Legion · Reading and District Diabetes Group · Citizen Advice Reading · JobCentre Plus/DWP · Public Health and Wellbeing Team (RBC) · Reading Museum (RBC)/Ure Museum/Museum of English and Rural Life (MERL) · Royal Berkshire Hospital · MyCareMyHome · Oddfellows Friendly Society · National Careers Service · QVI - Chiropody Clinic · Readibus · Rowbery Morris Solicitors · Reading Community Learning Centre · Thames Water · Berkshire Vision · Firtree Retirement Club · Bland and Blandy Solicitors · Sunday Assembly community group · Winterwatch (RBC)