Members from the county’s seniors’ forums got together in County Hall during August to launch the new Full of Life Festival programme of events. The festival celebrates International Older People’s Day, held on 1 October, and features over 40 free and paid for activities open to the 50 plus age group.
The envelope filling event marked the launch of the festival booklet, which was then sent out to venues across the county. You can now pick up a copy from libraries, council buildings, leisure centres and other community venues.
You can view the full events programme and find out more information about activities taking place in your area at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/olderpeoplesday.
The booklet also contains articles and adverts about the support and services on offer from the Council, NHS Sussex, and stakeholders from across the county, and a useful what’s-on guide that aims to link people with groups and organisations that provide one-off events or activities all year.
What’s on during the festival?
Film screenings, lunch clubs and wellbeing workshops are just some of the events taking place to celebrate International Older People’s Day. Other activities available across East Sussex include coffee mornings, singalongs, creative crafting, and board games sessions.
To encourage healthy ageing, the programme also offers Golden Yoga, or chair yoga, fall prevention and sleep workshops. A health and wellbeing day will allow people to have a go at Tai Chi and belly dancing, and enjoy hand and foot massages. The over 60s can also take the opportunity to try new activities for free including badminton, walking football, table tennis, Pilates and aqua aerobics at Freedom Leisure Centres in Wealden.
Many of the events have been organised by ESSA Senior Forum groups which, as well as holding social events and offering help and advice to older people, provide a collective voice for the over 50s across the county.
ESSA Senior Forums meet with the council’s Adult Social Care team and the NHS every two months, influencing the decisions made locally on the issues which impact their everyday lives.
There are groups in Eastbourne, Hastings, Seaford, Wealden, Rother, Lewes, and the Meridian area of East Sussex, and membership is free to anyone aged 50 plus who lives or works in the county.
Join your local forum
Seniors’ forums are independent and run by seniors for seniors. They are non-political and free to join for anyone aged 50 or over who’s interested in local, regional and national issues. Why not find your local forum and encourage people to connect with others.
Lin Neeve, Chair of East Sussex Seniors’ Association, said: “It’s great to see such a varied programme of events across East Sussex again this year to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among older people. There really is something for everyone.
“As well as meeting new people and trying something different by getting involved in activities, I would encourage residents to consider getting involved in their local forum and becoming a voice for older people. By being part of a forum you can stay connected with your community, take part in social activities and learn more about health and care services.”
Full of Life events are taking place in locations across East Sussex including Bexhill, Eastbourne, Forest Row, Hastings, Newhaven, Rye and Seaford.