Hillingdon Council hosts Day of the Older Person celebrations

The annual Day of the Older Person event on Tuesday 24 September was opened by the Deputy Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Philip Corthorne, and was attended by 480 visitors.  

More than 30 stalls were set up in the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Uxbridge offering advice and access to support and information.   

Participating organisations included Age UK, Alzheimer's Society, Carers Trust Hillingdon, the Royal National Institute for the Blind, MyHealth Hillingdon, H4ALL, as well as Hillingdon Council's libraries, adult education service, adult social care team, and many more.   

Attendees could try fun taster activities, including boccia - a sport similar to bowls - tea dancing, soft stretching with sports and fitness instructors from GLL, which runs the council's leisure centres, and enjoyed a performance by Nik Stoter, singing tunes from times gone by.  

Rowena Newman, from Hayes, cares for her elderly mother and said: "I've been to this event before and I found it very helpful. I come along, get advice and chat to people. I'm so grateful this is here."  

Christine Tomkins, from Northwood, said: "I think it's a really good idea. It's helpful to have this in one place. You can find out a little bit more about where to get help and support - I think it's brilliant."  

Ken Hogg, from Hillingdon, said: "I enjoyed the exercises, singing and the company. It's a chance to meet people and get together."  

John Bent, from Uxbridge, added: "I'm 75-years-old and want to keep going. It's one of the few things that's on my list to come to because it's very accessible and everything's in one place."  

Cllr Jane Palmer, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: "Hillingdon's older residents make a valuable contribution to their communities and to our borough more widely and this annual event is to show how much we appreciate them and helps highlight the range of activities and support on offer.  

"The day was a fantastic opportunity for them to socialise, meet up with friends or make new ones, and find out more about local services that can help them live healthy, active and independent lives for as long as possible."  

Information about activities for older people can be found at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/moves