Published: Thursday 23 September 2021
A wide range of free activities for older people will be available across Kensington and Chelsea on Sunday 3 October and the following week as part of Silver Sunday, a national day to overcome loneliness amongst older people.
The day provides a packed schedule of free events for residents aged 65+ to try something new and meet new people. Whilst loneliness can strike at any age, older people are at greater risk. According to Age UK, more than a million older people say they go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member.
Silver Sunday activities across Kensington and Chelsea are being coordinated by Open Age.
Jenny Marshall, Head of Member Experience, at Open Age, said:
“Open Age are delighted to be coordinating activities in honour of Silver Sunday for Kensington and Chelsea. We have a wide range of local activities and events, including:
- the Open Age Member Exhibition, held in the Saatchi’s Learning Gallery, an open brief to ‘WRINKLES IN THE CITY’, the Saatchi’ Gallery’s current exhibition JR:Chronicles,
- “The Wisdom Hour”, a creative storytelling space celebrating positive stories of ageing, facilitated by This Age Thing and Design Age Institute at the Design Museum, and
- a Dance-A-Thon at Chelsea Theatre to name but a few.
“Our local programme will also introduce you to activities that are on offer throughout the year, including phone groups for residents who are housebound.
“We can also offer to support to older residents who may find it difficult to get out or don’t have access to the website. To find out more information call, Open Age’s Link Up Team on 020 4516 9977 or email [email protected]”
Cllr Cem Kemahli, Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and Kensington and Chelsea Council, said:
“We’re proud to support Silver Sunday again. Being active and engaged in the community is really important for our older residents. These events provide a great opportunity to get out, meet new people and experience a taster of some of the activities you can do on a more regular basis.
“Our libraries also have a fantastic programme of free activities and events over the coming week, covering subjects like using Zoom and social media or searching your family history, which can be booked on the library event website.”
Silver Sunday is organised by the Sir Simon Milton Foundation, a charity that works to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst older people. For one day every year, Silver Sunday provides older people an opportunity to get out of the house, try new things and meet new people as well as to find out about local services that are available throughout the year.
Silver Sunday Founder, Lady Christabel Flight said:
“Some people don’t like to admit they’re feeling lonely and Silver Sunday is a positive way to do something about it by meeting new people. You’re never too old to try something new and Silver Sunday is the perfect opportunity.”
Find out more about events and activities across the borough at www.silversunday.org.uk
Events in Kensington and Chelsea
- Open Age Member Exhibition: Wrinkles in the City, Saatchi Learning Gallery, Monday 20 September to Sunday 3 October
Friday 1 October
- Open Age Dance-A-Thon, Chelsea Theatre, 10am to 4pm
Saturday 2 October
- The Wisdom Hour, creative storytelling at the Design Museum, 2pm to 4pm
- Songhaven dementia friendly concert, St Paul’s Knightsbridge, 3pm to 4pm
Sunday 3 October
- Metro Bank Silver Sunday, Kensington High Street, during open hours
- Better Silver Sunday, free swimming at Kensington Leisure Centre, 10am to 12noon
Monday 4 October
- Explore the biography store collection, Kensington Central Library, 2pm to 3pm
Tuesday 5 October
- Make, Do and Discover, Science Museum, Tuesday 5 October, 2pm to 4pm
- Walking football with Chelsea FC, Westway Sports Centre, 10am to 12noon
- Search your family history online, Kensington Central Library, 2pm to 3pm
Wednesday 6 October
- Read journals and newspapers online, Kensington Central Library, 11am to 12 noon
- Learn to read books online, Kensington Central Library, 2pm to 3pm
Thursday 7 October
- Getting to grips with social media, Kensington Central Library, 2pm to 3pm
Friday 8 October
- Sip & Sing, Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Garden, Friday 8 October
- An introduction to Zoom, Kensington Central Library, Friday 8 October, 2pm to 3pm