Residents invited to attend Older Persons' Day on 1 October

Residents are being invited to Reading’s free Older Persons’ Day event which takes place on Thursday 1 October in Broad Street Mall.

Between 9.30am to 2pm people can access a wide range of useful advice, including how to keep bills down this winter, as well as benefit and pension credit advice from the experts.

NHS Covid, flu and RSV vaccines are available on the day for eligible residents, and there’s even the chance to take part in specialist dance and exercise activities.

Highlights on the day include:

• Citizens Advice Reading and Age UK Berkshire offering benefit and pension credit advice
• NHS vaccines available for those eligible, for Covid-19, flu and RSV. The RSV vaccination protects against respiratory syncytial virus, a common lung infection that can cause serious illness in older adults

• The Council’s Housing and Energy Support Team on hand to provide help and advice about how to heat your home most affordably this winter

• Opportunities to take part in in dance and exercise with CultureMix, Dunsden Green Country Dance Club and Get Berkshire Active
• Performances from the Age UK Berkshire Choir

There will be over 30 stalls on the ground and first floor of the Broad Street Mall with specialist advice and support aimed at older people, their families and friends. Organisations you can speak to on the day include Berkshire Vision, the Alzheimer’s Society, Royal Berkshire Hospital and Get Berkshire Active. There will also be demonstrations from the Robotics team from University of Reading and the Council’s Adult Social Care TEC team.

Older Persons’ Day will be officially opened by the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Paul Gittings, at 10am with Council Leader Liz Terry also in attendance.

The event has been organised by Reading’s Older People’s Working Group, supported by Reading Borough Council, Age UK Berkshire and Age UK Reading.

Reading’s Older People’s Working Group is made up of older people and organisations who work to support residents throughout the borough. Issues are raised and explored at the quarterly meetings, giving older people a voice.

Anyone interested in discovering more about the group or joining it should email OPWG@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 9373856.

Glenn Dennis, Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care, said:

"Everyone is welcome to come along to this great annual event which always proves popular amongst the Reading community. There really is something for everyone, whether it’s advice on keeping bills down in the cold weather, important vaccines ahead of the winter period and even a chance to try out a dance or exercise class.

“All are welcome, regardless of age, to enjoy the demonstrations and performances, and older residents can get some really useful help and information to help them live a healthy

“Older people are a vital part of our communities, and we have over 30 organisations coming along on the day to support them and demonstrate what advice and assistance is out there from community organisations and charities.

“Thanks to the Older People’s Working group for doing such a good job of organising the event and I look forward to seeing you on Thursday 1 October."