Celebrating Age Festival 2021

Online art classes run by Age UK Bristol and Bristol Art for All
What: We will explore optional themes with students to develop a project using art materials you already have at home. We will come together as a group to support and inspire one another. No skill or experience needed just the willingness to have a go.
When: Wednesdays, 10.30-12.00pm
Cost: £7 per session, £3 if you are on pension credit. Sessions need to be booked in blocks of four at a time. The first session is free so that you can see if it is right for you and meet the rest of the group.
Contact: Email linkage@ageukbristol.org.uk or call 0117 929 7537.

Brigstowe – Diabetes group session on Zoom
What: Are you living with, know someone living with type 2 diabetes or would like to find out more about the condition?
Did you know that you’re more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you’re white and over 40 or over 25 if you’re African-Caribbean, Black African, or South Asian? Local charity, Brigstowe, run a 1-2-1 Peer Support service in partnership with Sirona for anyone who is struggling to manage type 2 diabetes and lives in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.
The session will explain some of the risks and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, as well Brigstowe’s type 2 diabetes Peer Support service. One of their Peer Mentors will also join the session to share their experience of living with type 2 diabetes and answer any questions.
When: 6 October, 3.30 – 4.30
Cost: Free
Contact: Register via Eventbrite by clicking here or contact Robyn Taylor on diabetes@brigstowe.org or 0117 995 5038 if you have any questions.

Online safety session
What: Having access to the internet is now a fundamental part of modern life. We carry out all sorts of activities online like shopping, banking, social media and even dating. With more people spending their time online, it’s now more important than ever to know how to protect our accounts, data and devices. The session will be delivered by Take Five to Stop Fraud, presented by Metro Bank colleagues, and Drew Jefferies, Cyber Protect Officer, from Avon and Somerset Constabulary. They will deliver a presentation around online safety and how we can better protect ourselves. The session is aimed at people who can use the internet at a beginner or intermediate level and would like to improve their skills. There will be an opportunity for questions.
When: Thursday 21st October, 10.30am-11.30am
Cost: Free
Contact: To book your place please either email linkage@ageukbristol.org.uk or ring 0117 929 7537.

Online Bristol Ageing Better (BAB) age-friendly partnership meeting
What: Bristol Ageing Better is bringing back its partnership meetings – a chance for people and professionals committed to improving the lives of older people in our city to come together.We want a city where older people are able to age in place, where they can remain mobile and have easy access to services. This includes having barrier-free public spaces and buildings which are useable and accessible for disabled people and those with mobility difficulties and designing urban environments that foster a sense of belonging and connectedness.
When: Wednesday, 13 October. 11:00am – 12:30pm.
Cost: Free
Contact: Register via Eventbrite by clicking here.

Online Shared Reading
What: Shared Reading is a chance to meet up on Zoom and listen to stories and poems and talk about what they mean to us in free, weekly groups. There’s no pressure to read or to talk and you don’t need to be a keen reader to take part. A trained volunteer leads the sessions and helps everyone get the most out of it.
When: Zoom groups on Tuesday morning and afternoon and Thursday morning.
Cost: Free
Contact: Contact Michael Prior on 07949 143 022 or email michaelprior@thereader.org.uk  

Online Gym workout with The Clifton Exercise Club
What: This involves a full body workout, achievable by anyone, regardless of previous fitness levels and strengthens your arms, legs, back and core. The workout can be chair -based or standing depending on your ability level.
When: Every Friday, 11.45 - 12.15
Cost: Free
Contact: Contact Ross Campbell on 07587552653 or at enquiries@theexerciseclub.co.uk to join the session.

Telephone Shared Reading
What: Shared Reading is a chance to meet up over the phone and listen to stories and poems and talk about what they mean to us in free, weekly groups. There’s no pressure to read or to talk and you don’t need to be a keen reader to take part. A trained volunteer leads the sessions and helps everyone get the most out of it.
When: Phone groups on Monday afternoon and Thursday morning. 
Cost: Free
Contact: Contact Michael Prior on 07949 143 022 or email michaelprior@thereader.org.uk  

Art on Zoom – Art Exhibition
What: A showcase exhibition of all of the wonderful art created by the Art on Zoom Club members over the last 18 months.
When: 1st-31st October, open 10am-4pm every day except for Sundays. 
Where: The John Wesley’s New Room Café, Broadmead, BS1 3JE.
Cost: Free

Tai Chi in The Park
What: Come and join a friendly group who seek to improve their health through gentle movement with Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi.Beginners welcome! These movements are suitable for anyone, regardless of age, and can be done seated or standing.
When: Throughout October
Where: Various locations across Bristol
Cost: Varies from free to donations of up to £5
Contact: To find the complete list of Tai Chi sessions running please refer to the LinkAge activities calendar. From here you can filter by location to find your nearest session.

Bristol Drugs ProjectFifty Plus Crowd
What: The Fifty Plus Crowd is a weekly social group, held on Wednesday afternoons with BDP in central Bristol. It is run for people aged 50 + with current or recent problems related to their alcohol or other drug use. It is an open group where people attend as often or as little as they like and has been successfully meeting for over ten years. The group exists to challenge social isolation and improve wellbeing. It provides a safe convivial space for people to meet, find out about what is going on in the wider community, establish friendships, harness their lived experience to support their peers and engage in wider social networks and activities. 
When: Every Wednesday 4.30- 6.30 pm
Where: Brunswick Court, Bristol, BS2 8PE.
Cost: Free and bus fares are reimbursed.
Contact: To find out more, please call us on 0117 987 6009 or email 50plus@bdp.org.uk