Stoke-on-Trent joined the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities in 2014. The network is linked to over 1000 other communities and cities in over 40 countries through its affiliation to the World Health Organisation WHO.
BJF are one of many organisations across the UK joining the Centre for Ageing Better to celebrate International Day of Older People and the part we play in our communities.
The UK Network of Age-friendly Communities is a growing movement, with over 75 places across the country committed to making their community a better place to age in. www.ageing-better.org.uk
Beth Johnson Foundation CEO Sue Read chats about International Day of Older People with Dorothy Lightfoot and Cliff Hathaway, members of the Ageing Well Partnership.
Dorothy and Cliff recall some of the important campaigns for Age-Friendly Stoke over the years, including ‘Take a Seat’. This campaign encouraged local businesses to provide seats at Stoke-on-Trent’s markets – to let shoppers sit down and have a rest.
The conversation about why it is important to celebrate International Day of Older People highlights the contributions older people make in our communities, celebrating ‘the part we play’.
The great thing about getting older is that you don’t leave all the other ages that you have been (Madeliene L’Engle , American author), but you build on these experiences which often shape who you are and inform what you do. How important it is to have a day when we can all celebrate the voices of older people; when we can recognise their experiences; and when we can hopefully raise awareness generally about the part older people can play and indeed the difference they often make to our communities.
To celebrate International Day of Older People and the part we play in our communities, BJF are inviting volunteers and community members to join us for a coffee morning on Tuesday 1st October, 11am to 12.30pm at Parkfield House. The theme of #IDOP24 is how older people continue to play an integral part in strengthening our communities and neighborhoods, as workers, carers, volunteers, activists and community connectors.
Here at the BJF we welcome the opportunity to showcase these varied roles and to celebrate what older generations share with us and the legacies they leave behind. The Foundation simply would not exist in its present format without the valuable involvement of our volunteers – many of which are older people. They strengthen our reach to the older people who need us the most.
Our community room is a warm and welcoming space. Our Coffee Morning offers people an opportunity to join us, for a time to connect, chat, and find out more about our fantastic Volunteer Team. Our volunteers help to set the direction of our work as members of our Engagement and Involvement group, informing what we do every day, sharing ideas and helping BJF to offer support to our community members. BJF Volunteers support our activities, supporting community groups and making a difference.
When thinking about the theme for this #IDOP one volunteer recalled the long term impact older people can have in our lives... "When we moved into our house our son was 7 years old. We had some neighbours next door who helped us settle in and gave us some very good advice. They were very fond of our son as he was with them. He spent hour talking to them and listening to their stories. When we went shopping he would ask “shall we take this treat for Flo and Tom?” and would rush to take it to them as soon as we were home. He is now 35 years old and he still drops them into conversation now and again recalling some of their stories."