A look at International Day of Older People 2025

This year’s International Day of Older People (IDOP) theme – ‘Building Belonging: Celebrating the power of our social connections’ built on the success of previous years’ events held by communities up and down the country. It was intended as a timely reminder of the value of connection, and the importance of making sure that people of all ages can feel that they belong and have strong, meaningful social connections.  

Taking place on 1 October, it was interpreted by communities across the UK in a diverse and exciting range of activities, some of which we’ve shared in this blog.

Communities were encouraged to use the theme and the day to celebrate all the existing ways that communities create opportunities for social connections, to create new opportunities for social connections as well as commit to longer-term actions which will facilitate more community connections.

Celebrating all the ways that our communities create opportunities for social connection

Communities across the UK highlighted their existing groups, activities, and befriending schemes that foster social connection and belonging. 

• Anglesey 
  Ran Ageing Well over the Winter Open Days which brought together stalls from third sector organisations, council services, and the health board – offering face-to-face access to information and support for older people and their loved ones
• Plymouth 
  Held a week-long celebration of local opportunities that support social connection including a special event at Tinside Lido on 2 October with a special performance from the Southway Community Hub Glee Club
• South Tyneside 
  Celebrated the organisations in South Tyneside who have signed Age-friendly Employer Pledge, bringing them together for a photo shoot to recognising their commitment to creating inclusive working cultures that facilitate multigenerational connections across the workforce
• Knowsley 
  Created an Ageing Well Festival featuring a calendar of activities for people over 55, aligning with a forthcoming Public Health calendar focused on healthy ageing. The programme blended existing events with new ones such as walks, coffee mornings, and social lunches
• Bolton 
  Promoted the message ‘Positive ageing starts with hello’ through a programme of activities running from 1 to 10 October – including board game activities, art workshops and Mahjong, encouraging simple acts of connection and community engagement. 

Creating new opportunities for social connections

Age-friendly Communities across the UK delivered events ranging from the sporty to creative which fostered new social connections to mark this year’s theme.

• Redcar and Cleveland 
  Hosted a day of celebration featuring activities and health checks to support wellbeing and connection.
• Bury 
  Marked the day with a Walk and Talk Stroll, encouraging gentle physical activity and conversation.
• North Tyneside 
  Held a ‘Daytime Disco’, offering a fun and lively way for older people to come together and celebrate.
• Trafford 
  Organised an afternoon of music, games, and entertainment, complete with fish and chips to bring people together over food and fun.
• South Lakeland 
  Hosted a vibrant celebration event featuring a marketplace with local partners, a volunteering fair, coffee and cake sale, light lunch, dance display with audience participation, a ukulele band performance, and bingo to close the day.
• Norwich 
  Ran a charity cycle challenge and offered free gait analysis assessments from Age UK Health Coaches to support a preventative health approach.
• Fermanagh and Omagh
  Held an intergenerational event that celebrated an important part of Omagh’s rich industrial heritage. The event brought together members of the community, past employees of a local factory and local students for a morning of learning, storytelling, and shared memories.
• BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) 
  Delivered an extensive programme of events including free cream teas and lunches, chair yoga, information drop-ins, dementia awareness training, and ELDERFEST – an event inviting people to explore how to live their best life for longer.
• South Ayrshire
  Held a craft-style event with card making, jewellery making, and wool spinning, alongside stalls sharing information on ageing well and volunteering. They also introduced a new project supporting older people discharged from hospital with food packs, handmade cards, and knitted knee blankets to offer comfort and care. 

Marking commitment to longer-term action

Planning and taking action to enable more social connection in the future is a vital part of creating age-friendly communities. This year’s IDOP theme encouraged forging new relationships and creating regular opportunities for collaboration and connection, especially across generations.

• Fermanagh and Omagh 
  Hosted an Age Friendly Seminar and officially launched Positive Ageing Month on 1 October. The event featured speakers from the Public Health Agency, Age NI, and Age Friendly Ireland, and included a consultation on the Draft Age Friendly Strategy – laying the groundwork for future action.  
• London Borough of Bexley 
  Welcomed Debbie Weekes-Bernard, London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, to Age UK Bexley to mark IDOP and highlight the organisation’s role in fostering connection. Bexley become one of the newest members of the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities, helping to grow the movement as it reached the milestone achievement of 100 members.
• North Yorkshire 
  Lit up the Police and Fire Service HQ in purple and flew the Age-friendly flag to raise awareness of IDOP and signal ongoing commitment to Age-friendly principles.
• Barnsley 
  Celebrated Age Friendly from 22 September to 6 October by flying the age-friendly flag from Barnsley Town Hall and illuminating the building in pale blue each evening – visibly marking their support and dedication to longer-term action.
• Rhondda Cynon Taf
  The Fifty Plus Forum marked the day with an event which aimed to celebrate community and connection. The event was attended by Rhian Bowen Davis, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, who reflected on her first year in office, shared her vision and manifesto, and engaged directly with attendees. 

As we reflect on the inspiring work shared throughout October, we also look ahead with excitement to the International Day of Older People 2026. Next year will be another chance to celebrate older people’s contributions in our communities and get more people talking about the changes needed to ensure that everyone can enjoy a good later life, with strong, meaningful social connections.  

We hope you will celebrate this with us – you can find out more about IDOP here.