Celebrating the lives of Older People – your chance to get involved

The news that Melksham has achieved the distinction of being the first rural town in the UK to officially become members of the UK Age-Friendly Network is welcome and arrived at an excellent time.

Brian Warwick of Melksham Seniors reports, “We are just putting into place the arrangements for celebrating the ‘Lives of Older People’ during the first week in October.

“The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1st each year. It has been celebrated worldwide since December 14th, 1990 when the United Nations’ General Assembly voted to establish October 1st as the International Day of Older Persons as recorded in Resolution 45/106

“It has now been adopted here by the Government as the appropriate day (or week) to celebrate the Lives of our Older Citizens and the important role they have played in our lifetimes.

“It is the week when the world raises the awareness of the impact of an ageing population and the need for us ensure people can grow old with dignity. Today, one person in ten is aged 60 or over – by 2050, this will be one person in five, and by 2150, one in three.

“Such a major demographic change presents huge challenges. The International Day of Older Persons aims to raise awareness of the impact of an ageing population and the need to ensure that people can grow old with dignity and continue to participate in society as citizens with full rights.

“Older people do make major contributions to our society, through volunteer work, transmitting experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and in many other essential ways. We can all help to celebrate by giving something back in the way of thank you.

“For instance, every organisation and business in our own community could do something special that week, even if it is just organising one short event for their own seniors and guests to enjoy. Every organisation or businesses that has any affinities with older people can make a special effort in their own way to say thank you and help us also to break down those forms of loneliness that often prevail. 

“Individuals can also play their part by reaching out in a neighbourly way to an older neighbour who would welcome some company. Please do ask your clubs, organisation, church etc to make that small effort to improve the quality of life of at least one person or more during this special week.

 “Melksham Seniors will be holding a fun afternoon at the Forest Community Centre on Monday 1st October at 1.00pm, all welcome, and a special event on Thursday 4th at 10.30am at the Riverside Club.”