How Age-friendly Communities celebrated the Age Without Limits Action Day 2024
The first Age Without Limits Action Day brought together an array of events and activities helping to change perceptions about ageing.
Here, Ellen Denley, our Programme Officer for Localities, provides an insight of what was on offer in marking this special day.
Following the launch of the Age Without Limits Campaign in January 2024, the Action Day on March 20 was a chance for everyone to do something to change the way we think, feel and act about ageing.
Communities across the UK used the theme 'See and Be Seen' to host events and activities which challenged the way older people are viewed in society.
Age-friendly Communities who are members of the UK Network were well placed to mark the day, with their strong local partnerships and engaged older residents.
Here are some inspiring examples of events and activities marking the occasion from across the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities:
Fashion and talent shows
Fashion and talent shows were a popular way to mark the Action Day and showcase the creativity of older people in communities.
Age UK Carlisle and Eden worked collaboratively with Carlisle College to create an intergenerational 'Vintage Fashion Show'. Students upcycled and styled clothes from their local Age UK shop, while older models proudly walked the catwalk.
Tonic Housing, the UK's first LGBTQ+ affirmative retirement community, alongside Brixton Umbrella Circle also marked the Action Day with a fashion show. They aimed to celebrate older LGBT+ people who often feel invisible within society and sometimes within the LGBT+ communities as well.
Older residents walked the fashion show to an audience including youth LGBT+ groups. One participant shared: "It was wonderful to do something to celebrate getting older, it was like London Pride when crowds of younger people cheered us on."
Sports events
Communities across the UK held sports events aimed at older residents, challenging expectations around who can take part in certain sports.
In Belfast, NICSSA Archery Club held an over 50s archery competition. This event encouraged people to try a new activity, with competitors commenting on what a "brilliant night" it was and that it was "good to see so many over 50s still enjoying the sport". It was such a successful event that they plan to hold it again.
Calder Valley Strollers held an over 50s Walking Football Festival to mark the day. More than 45 people aged between 50 and 83 took part in the competition with one participant stating "at 59, I have rediscovered my footballing mojo. Who knew?!"
Calder Valley Strollers over 50s Walking Football Festival
Intergenerational skill-sharing
Bringing different age groups together to share experiences and skills was a successful way to celebrate the Action Day.
Voluntary Action South Ayrshire and members of the South Ayrshire Ageing Well Champions Board collaborated with a local secondary school to host an intergenerational event.
The day included facilitated discussions around ageism, walking football matches, and exploration of ‘archived items’ vs modern technology.
One pupil remarked that the event “taught me how some people are discriminated against because of their age… [and to be] mindful and respectful of other people no matter their age. It was a fun experience.”
Newtown Together Men’s Shed held a skill-sharing event with pupils from two local primary schools who were taught how to make wooden birdboxes. Following the Action Day the Men’s Shed have already held another intergenerational workshop with another primary school.
Arts and crafts workshops and exhibitions
Haringey Artful Codgers held an art workshop and exhibition. The participants painted portraits of each other and had facilitated discussions around ageism. The Mayor of Haringey, who is the youngest mayor ever for the area, attended the event and encouraged lots of conversation around peoples’ prejudices and perceptions of age.
Stand up Sisters, in Bolton, hosted a floral headdress workshop for women, followed by the Age Without Limits Quiz and discussion. The event host said: “The older women who participated reflected on their personal relationships with age, ageing and ageism and found it an affirming and validating experience.”
Photography competitions and exhibitions
Age UK Norfolk partnered with Healthier Sheringham to organise an age positive photography competition. The competition invited the public to send in photographs of older people in the district enjoying active lives and participating in their communities.
The winners were announced on the Action Day with an exhibition of the entries launched at a local library and which is now on tour across North Norfolk’s libraries.
Splott Community Volunteers in Cardiff marked the Action Day by celebrating their older volunteers through a photography exhibition. This event raised awareness of the volunteers and their incredible contributes to the Splott Community, as well as their positive attitudes towards ageing.
The Head of Communications from the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Office reflected that it was a “fantastic exhibition – great to meet the volunteers and see such great images that capture such energy and life.”
The winning photo of North Norfolk’s Age Positive Photography Competition.
'Red Hat Ladies’ by Sally Redgrave.
Radio programme and podcasts
One of a number of events in the Brighton and Hove area that took place to celebrate the Action Day was the launching of the Shared Histories podcast, which aims to give voice to older people and allow listeners to reevaluate any stereotypes they may hold. The launch included an intergenerational conversation and poetry workshop at a local library.
ALL FM Radio, a volunteer-led radio channel in Manchester, hosted an older person’s takeover of all their radio shows on the Action Day.
One participant said they "enjoyed the Age Without Limits Action Day as [they were] able to bring together some interesting ideas that reflected society's views as well as our choices as older people...it was a very positive experience."
Theatrical and musical performances
Various performances were hosted in celebration of the day, showcasing the varied talents of local older people.
Plymouth Music Zone hosted a music performance event both in-person and online by their Musical Misfits – a band of adult musicians over 55.
The Octagon Theatre in Bolton had a call-out for community writers to submit and perform short monologues around the theme of ‘See and Be Seen’.
The scripts explored topics around ageing and ageism, including about the menopause, discrimination in the workplace and how it feels to be ‘written off’ by society.
Discos and dancing
Age UK Barnet held an Age Without Limits disco to show age is no barrier to having fun and dancing.
Three Score Dance in Brighton held free dance classes for people over the age of 60. They held a dynamic dance photoshoot with 20 participants and created a ‘See and Be Seen Gallery’ to showcase the work.
Age UK Barnet ’Age Without Limits’ Disco
Image by Rosie Powell for Three Score Dance ’See and Be Seen’ Gallery.
Public campaigns, training and workshops
Leeds Older People’s Forum collaborated with the Age-friendly Steering Group and The Preservative Party to organise a co-produced, city-wide public campaign.
In various locations across Leeds, participants encouraged the community to take the Age Without Limits Are You Ageist? Quiz and used conversation starters to talk about ageing and ageism as well as asking people to show their support by taking a picture of themselves with their Age Without Limits posters.
South Lanarkshire Council launched an online training module accessible to any member of staff at the council to raise awareness of ageist stereotypes and their impact.
These are just some of the inspiring ways the first Age Without Limits Action Day was celebrated across the UK.
Many Age-friendly Communities are pledging to continue the momentum of the campaign by continuing to hold events and activities throughout the year which raise awareness of ageism.
With such rich interaction with Age Without Limits amongst our Age-friendly Communities, we’re confident the campaign can only go from strength to strength.
