Organised by Haringey Council, Public Voice and the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) in collaboration with many local creative, voluntary and community sector (VCS) partners, the inaugural Age Well Festival will take place on Saturday 21 September 2024 from 12noon to 5pm at Bruce Castle Park (N17 8NL).
The Age Well Festival will be a celebration of connection, life and the richness of ageing. It will also represent an opportunity for members of the wider Haringey community – irrespective of their age – to come together, engage in a variety of activities and explore what it truly means to age well.
Whether you’re looking to meet different people from your regular circle of friends, try out a new activity or simply enjoy the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone!
Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Emily Arkell, said:
“We are incredibly excited to launch our first-ever Age Well Festival as we celebrate the experience, vibrancy and wisdom that Haringey’s older residents bring to our wider community.
“Whether you’re interested in getting active, exploring your creative side or simply enjoying the day with friends, the festival promises to be an enriching and memorable experience for all.
“We hope it will not only provide a day of enjoyment, but also inspire meaningful connections and conversations around what it means to age well here in our borough.”
Despite the festival referencing ‘age’ and ‘ageing well,’ there are no age restrictions for this event and people of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend and learn about the importance of ageing well.
The festival will be divided into six dynamic zones: Connect Well, Wellness Dome, Think Well, Physical Activity, Eating Well and the Creative Zone* (*featuring the main stage).
One of its many highlights is the Purple Parade. Inspired by Jenny Joseph’s iconic poem Warning, which celebrates defying age-related stereotypes, attendees are invited to don their favourite shade of purple and march through the park alongside festival organisers. This parade is a chance for our older community and their allies to be seen, heard and celebrated, honouring the invaluable contributions they make to society at large.
Adding a touch of creative flair, artist Donald Waugh, who runs ‘PavementToCatwalk’, will be collaborating with eight ambassadors to design unique headpieces for the parade. Each headpiece will symbolise the diverse journeys we all take as we grow older.
Festival goers can look forward to an exciting array of hobbies and pursuits including: dance performances, Create Your Own Story, live music, pickleball, Nordic walking, walking cricket and much more!
For those seeking even more entertainment, the Pavilion Café will host a BBQ and bingo, while Bruce Castle Museum will holding an Open House among a range of activities there on the day.
So, mark your calendars, wear your purple with pride and join us at Bruce Castle Park on Saturday 21 September for a day of celebration, connection and fun. This is an event you simply won’t want to miss!
