A festival celebrating older people will be held this weekend.
Kendal Leisure Centre will host the Age Friendly Festival on Sunday from 11am to 3pm.
Aimed at those aged 50-plus, the free event aims to offer people the chance to offer something new, discover local volunteering opportunities and social groups; raise any health or wellbeing concerns with professionals; connect with their contemporaries; and make new friends.
In a bid to bring together people of all ages, there will also be a performance by Dance Attik where youngsters from the award-winning dance school will take to the stage and provide taster sessions for anyone keen to discover the joy of movement.
Thanks to Kendal ICC, up to 50 Covid and flu jabs will be available for those eligible on first-come-first-served basis.
The programme of events includes:
- Macmillan coffee morning
- Volunteer fair to showcase local volunteering opportunities
- Wellbeing market place with interactive activities hosted by local organisations who will share details about their work and how members of the local community can get involved
- Light lunch served with tea, coffee or a soft drink at a small charge of £2 per person
- Music from the ukulele showband the Fabulous Bryce Street Strummers.
- Bingo
The event will also provide a platform to showcase the range of activities and sessions available for seniors at Kendal Leisure Centre including:
- Dedicate Swim for 50-plus sessions
- Chatter Matters – a social group that supports friendships, communication as well as health, exercise and wellbeing
- Movement Matters – social sessions with seating and standing exercises to gently elevate heart rate and improve mobility
- Instructor-led Pickleball Senior Clubs session to improve balance, co-ordination and cardiovascular health
- Boccia, Walking Football and Walking Netball with Age UK
The event is now in its third year, led by Better’s South Lakeland Age Friendly co-ordinator, Katie Gatt.
Katie said: “Last year saw more than 150 people attend the event and we’re looking forward to welcoming members of the local community to enjoy a day that promises fun and entertainment while championing the numerous health benefits of physical activity.
“As a social enterprise, we put health and wellbeing centre stage but giving back to the community also forms a major part of our remit.
“We have a thriving community of seniors at the centre who benefit from a host of dedicated fitness sessions and social gatherings but we’re hoping this event will not just help reinforce the benefits of exercise but encourage more people to engage with our seniors.”
Age Friendly South Lakeland is a collaboration between GLL, Cumbria Community Foundation, Westmorland and Furness Council, National Trust, South Lakes Dementia Community, Morecambe Bay Health Trust, Active Cumbria, Age UK South Cumbria, Cumbria CVS and Carer Support South Lakes who work together to support community health and wellbeing.
· Healthwise – a physical activity referral programme designed to support individuals with long-term medical conditions or those at risk of chronic illnesses who are currently inactive.
For more information, please email [email protected] or visit www.better.org.uk
