VE day 2025
Published on 07 May 2025 09:18 AM
Thursday 8th May 2025 marks 80 years since the end of World War 2. We remember the sacrifices of the generation who lived through the war, particularly in the East End where the blitz was sustained and devastating to the community.
Many who lived through this historic event are older people in our community today, so we marked the day with celebrations and sharing stories. Jenny (pictured, third from left), a client and member of our Older People's Reference Group, shared stories from her childhood and evacuation during WWII at a special event with the national Age UK charity and their staff. She shared how much the small things meant such as cutting a banana into seven pieces to be savoured by seven people. It is a reminder of the resilience of that generation. We're so thankful to Jenny for her generosity and making it such a meaningful event.
Elsewhere, guests at our Merchant Street Hub enjoyed a VE day tea party with food and singing.
Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us and shared their memories, it is so important that these stories are never lost. In order to make East London a place where people can age well, we must make sure older people are heard.
Commemorative events are taking place across the capital, you can find out more here.