I popped in at the Civic centre event this morning celebrate older people and it was great to see so many there. I then went over to Phoenix Day Centre to see the activities going on. As well as the regular drumming session (which I really enjoyed, although I lost the beat several times!) there was an emphasis on reminiscing and it was lovely to chat to a group of users about their school days which varied from at attendee of Wilson school in the days when it had separate boys and girls playgroups to a school experience in Africa with Mangos as the regular lunchtime snack.
There was soem local media coverage which is great, as it’s an opportunity to celebrate the contribution older people have made and continue to make to make Reading the wonderful town it is.
Council press release is below:
READING will celebrate National Older People’s Day on October 1st with special events at the Civic Centre and the Phoenix Day Centre.
The events will showcase the contribution that older people have made and continue to make to Reading’s communities. They will also highlight Reading Borough Council’s work in combating isolation in older people.
The Civic Centre will welcome older people to a unique Reminiscence Event. Guests will be encouraged to tell stories about past times and share their memories. Reminiscing can help older people to keep mentally active, stay independent and feel valued.
Basingstoke’s Milestones Museum will bring along a gramophone playing records from the 1930s and 1940s, and Reading Libraries and Reading Museum will talk about the projects they are planning for 2014.
Partner organisations including the Alzheimer’s Society, West Indian Women’s Circle, Reading and Whitley Multicultural Women’s Group and the Reading Ex-British Gurkha Association will also run information stalls.
The Reminiscence Event takes place on Tuesday October 1st, 10.30am-12.30pm in the Kennet Room of the Civic Centre.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Day Centre activities will also focus on reminiscence, with residents encouraged to share stories from their school days and show off old class photographs. Country singer Lynne Turner will provide the entertainment.
Rachel Eden, Reading Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care, said:
“These events will celebrate the lives and achievements of Reading’s older people. I’m looking forward to hearing the stories of Phoenix Day Centre users, which need to be passed down, as they are such an important part of our town’s heritage. The events are designed to be fun but are also a serious part of the Council’s commitment to supporting older people’s emotional wellbeing. Phoenix Day Centre provides a great service to support older people and I’m sure it will be a wonderful day.”
