The A-Z of International Day of Older People 2024 activities

Throughout October, Age-friendly Communities (AfCs) across the UK have been busy celebrating older people and the vital part they play, and have the potential to play, in creating better communities to live in.  

Through the many varied and creative ways that older people came together throughout the month, the range of IDOP activities have provided a much-needed opportunity to share ways of supporting one another ahead of the winter ahead.  

Benefits from IDOP events included creating opportunities to meet new people, to access vital services and support, to try something new, and to feel a greater sense of respect and inclusion in the place they call home.

These are just a few of the many ways places marked the International Day of Older People in 2024: 

Five older residents recreated iconic album covers as part of Age-friendly Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s ambition to challenge stereotypes of ageing, to national and international acclaim. 

As part of Banbury’s celebrations, residents were invited to bring along their electric blankets for a safety test. On the day, residents could also take part in journalling workshops, singing for wellness, and have their blood pressure checked. 

Many Age-friendly Communities used the theme “The part we play” to spotlight the contributions of older people in their place.  

In Cheshire West and Chester, they took to social media to show their recognition of the many ways older residents were taking action to make their communities a better place for residents. 

As part of ongoing work, East Lindsey had more than 70 people trained as Age-friendly Domestic Abuse Champions during the week of IDOP, including some of their Age-friendly Ambassadors.

In order to demonstrate their commitment to older workers, local organisations and councils used the opportunity of IDOP to sign and raise awareness of the Age-friendly Employer Pledge, a nationwide programme for UK employers who recognise the importance and value of older workers

Ageing Well Festivals have sprung up across the UK this year; featuring a range of information stalls, entertainment, talks and food.  

Newham’s Ageing Well Festival, saw hundreds of older people representing cultures from around the world come together to dance, sing and feast.  

In Leeds, Headingly Stadium was home to a day of celebration featuring over 35 age friendly stalls, fascinating talks, and a burlesque finale. 

Sunderland marked the day with their Sunderland Ageing Well Ambassador celebration event. Ageing Well Ambassadors, volunteers over 50 who support the ageing well message across the city, reflected on their achievements and shared their ideas for the exciting work ahead.

Salford worked with seven local community centres, to organise an event to highlight the part older people play in their local neighborhood.  

Over 145 older people took part in these community celebrations, engaging in conversations, sharing stories, and celebrating the part they play in making Salford a vibrant, welcoming place for all.   

In order to help create new intergenerational connections and celebrate existing ones, Linking Generations Northern Ireland launched their Intergenerational Christmas Small Grants Scheme on October 1. The funding aims to create festive connections across generations and between organisations that wouldn’t normally work together across Northern Ireland.    

At a range of events hosted to mark the day, health partners came along to provide flu and COVID jabs, health checks and have a chat about keeping warm and well in the winter ahead.  

Especially pertinent given the changes in Winter Fuel payments, communities worked to bring in advisors to support residents to access payments which may be available to them, including Pension Credit. 

Places such as the London Borough of Islington, Hertfordshire and Norwich made the most of the day to celebrate newly joining the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities.  

Herefordshire used the opportunity to spread the good news of being one of the first counties in the network, and to promote a survey to better understand residents’ needs and identify areas for improvement.   

Micro-grants of up to £400 were made available for IDOP 2024 events and activities across Calderdale in Yorkshire, to help promote social participation and the health and wellbeing of older residents.

Activities included a “1974 and more” disco with retro fancy dress competition, sing-a-long with pie and peas lunch, and a morning of creative Indian dance with poetry, songs and music.

Deputy Mayor of Greater London Authority, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, shared a blog for IDOP reflecting on her day visiting a new Age-friendly Community, the London Borough of Islington.  

In the blog, the Deputy Mayor reflected on the inspiring stories of older residents whilst urging others to join the nine boroughs of London taking the age-friendly approach. 

‘Let’s start folding’ was one of dozens of taster sessions in Brighton and Hove as part of their Ageing Well Festival, along with film screenings, bike and boat tours, cookery classes, silent disco, DJ lessons, makeup for older skin, intergenerational storytelling and much, much more.  

In Northern Ireland, October is Positive Ageing Month, a month-long festival of events and activities for older people. Across the 11 Northern Ireland council areas, places hosted a wide range of activities, events and information sessions to both promote the role of older people, and to encourage older people to keep active, connect and age well.

‘Give It a Go’ sessions including creative activities, such as the autumn wreath making class, in Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and Omagh. 

Residents were invited to visit the new Ageing Well in North Yorkshire photography competition exhibition, as it tours across North Yorkshire alongside a wide variety of taster-sessions and activities. More than 100 entries for the competition were received over the summer, and depict people walking, working and playing in later life in North Yorkshire. 

Hazel Ramsay was awarded second prize for her picture of her mother, Karen Mcleod, celebrating her 70th birthday in the village of Sandsend, pictured below.

As part of a fun packed event in Age-friendly Barnet, attendees had the opportunity to ask any questions of the age-friendly team, the chief executive of their local Age UK, and the Age-friendly Champion Councillor. 

In some places, including those with parts which are less well connected by transport, age-friendly roadshows were held across the month of October.  

In Knowsley in Merseyside, roadshows across different leisure centres presented an opportunity to have a cuppa and a bite to eat, and find out more about the local offer to keep healthy, active and happy as we age. 

Over 50s in South Ayrshire were invited to an event to find out about volunteering and work opportunities from a range of local organisations and employers, supplemented with free tea, coffee and refreshments. 

At one of the sessions in Perth and Kinross, speakers included a  British champion athlete in the 65-70 age group, as well as a retired police inspector and wildlife crime officer. In addition to the presentations, attendees were invited to enjoy a new photography exhibition depicting athletes, aged 60-90+, who are competing, winning medals, and breaking records. 

North Somerset launched their local State of Ageing report with an “Unconference”- an opportunity for people to come together in a less formal way – and hear views on the report’s findings from older people, and staff from local government health and voluntary sector organisations. 

Age-Friendly Manchester celebrated IDOP by releasing a powerful poem and film, co-created by Age-Friendly Manchester Older People's Board and poet Liz Mytton. Members wrote the poem based on their experiences, rehearsed together, and performed on Castlefield Viaduct to show the part older people play in Manchester society.  

Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation held a fashion show, showcasing fashion from the 50s, 60s and 70s to honour the Windrush generation. Designs were created by members from clothes donated from local charity shops or their own wardrobes, with accessories created in weekly art classes. The pieces were then modelled on the runway by the members themselves. 

York Older People’s Assembly led a celebratory series of events for the week including a ten-day exhibition trail where shop-front spaces proudly displayed stories and creations from older creatives, in their window fronts. 

An event led by local 50+ forums at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council where participants welcomed Rhian Bowen-Davies, the new Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, amidst a yarn bombing flash mob.

The African Caribbean Care Group (ACCG) in Trafford held a quiz, together with a Tai Chi session suitable for people with all levels of mobility, craft stalls and music from members of The Untold Orchestra.