Age Friendly Brent Launch:  Brent’s Older Residents Take Centre Stage.

Nearly 200 residents have their say on making Brent a borough where everyone ages well.

On Remembrance Day, nearly 200 older residents from every corner of Brent packed the Civic Centre, Conference Hall to help shape an age friendly borough, demonstrating age is no barrier to making a difference.

The day began in quiet reflection as the Mayor of Brent, Cllr Ryan Hack, led a heartfelt two-minute silence to honour the fallen. He then delivered an inspiring opening address that set the tone and pledged “to listen to older people voices and make Brent a borough where every generation belongs”

The Age-Friendly Launch turned the Civic Centre into a vibrant hub. Stalls from the Lexi Cinema, Laurence’s Larder, Brent Library Service, Brent Health Matters, Elders Voice, Brent Living Streets, Brent Senior Mentors and many more offered information.

Yet the real highlights of the day was the conversation, and the uplifting performance by the Songs of Joy Dementia Choir.

In open and honest discussions during the breakout sessions attendees laid out the challenges they face every day:

• Unreliable transport and restrictive 60+ Oyster card start times
• Uneven, hazardous pavements
• The urgent lack of public toilets and resting spots on high streets

Cllr Neil Nerva, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health, and Leisure, summed up the momentum:

“We’ve uncovered big issues today – especially around resting places and accessible toilets. Imagine a simple community scheme where cafés and shops welcome people in. That’s the change we can create together.”

He also debunked a common myth: “Let’s bury the idea that older people don’t use the internet – they absolutely do, and we must meet them there.”

Host Tony Burch issued a rousing call to action:

“This is all about giving older people a voice that is heard and listened to. That’s my call to action. Join the movement. Be part of the change.”

Fay Austin Age-Friendly Brent Project Coordinator reflected: “Today Brent’s older residents have shown they are ready to lead. We’re building an age-friendly borough, together”