How to encourage greater participation in events for the International Day of Older People

One of the most wonderful things about the UN’s International Day of Older People is how it brings people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds together. 

As our minds turn to October 1 and the annual running of this special day, the theme for this year’s event, “celebrating the integral role of older people in our communities”, clearly puts into focus the importance of bringing people together.  

If older people are recognised as integral to their communities, then they will be valued and feel included. If they are not, then they can be seen as a burden and feel excluded.    

Having recently reached the milestone age of 60 myself, it has made me take stock of what has changed. I am braver, and (I hope) wiser, and I know my strengths a bit better, and I am panicking a bit at realising I’m definitely past halfway on this journey of life.  

I have also realised that life is still going to be a case of taking one day at a time, and I suspect I won’t really feel any different for a long-ish while yet I hope. 

Of course to be able to continue making those contributions as we get older requires opportunity. And that’s why it is important to build an age-friendly society where everyone is still given the opportunity to participate and feel involved. 
 
That is why we want this IDOP to be the most inclusive yet. We work with organisations to increase their engagement with older people and have created a new resource specifically to help organisers boost engagement with their IDOP events. 
 
Everything the Good Practice Mentors advocate, and support organisations to implement, goes towards ensuring older people are integral. Co-production, ageism training, finding and including older people who have become excluded from society and recognising older people as volunteers, are all key to how we work.   

Here are three top tips on how to engage with “harder to reach people”: 

Often what holds people back from attending an event is uncertainty and a “it’s not for me” mentality.  

Being explicitly clear in exactly what your event is and what participants can expect if they attend can help dispel some of those reservations. 

Be clear and careful with the language that you use. Describing an event as for the elderly or older people might discourage your target audience if they don’t see themselves in those terms. Better instead to be clear and accurate, describe your event has for 50+ for example. 

Make it as easy as possible for people to attend your event. Promotional communications should include images of the event location and a map with clear travel directions.  

Use the three second rule for people arriving to your event – event organising staff and volunteers have three seconds to politely close down their conversation to greet new arrivals.  

Clear and friendly signs guiding people into your event location, and to the specific room if need be, will help attendees feel confident they have come to the right place. Use large and readable font. 

Keep an eye on new people throughout your event and use volunteers as buddies to new members to ensure they feel welcomed and included into the activity.  

Make time to socialise before and after your event to help solidify bonds made with participants, particularly newcomers.  
 
Providing refreshments can also create those informal moments where socialising, connections and conversations can flourish.  

Ensure you have sufficient people who can act as guides and supports for participants so that attendees don’t feel ignored or rushed. 

To learn more about the IDOP toolkit developed by the Good Practice Mentors with the Centre for Ageing Better click here.  
 
For further training or bespoke support from the Good Practice Mentors visit here or contact [email protected]