International Day of Older People 2025

October 1st marks the UN International Day of Older People.  This year’s UK theme, Building Belonging: Celebrating the power of our social connections, highlights the vital role social connections play in nurturing wellbeing at every age.  

Fostering social connections is at the heart of what Age UK Surrey is working so hard to achieve. Through its Check in and Chat service, Go50 Walks, 10-3 Club, Men in Sheds group, or its social chat groups, Age UK Surrey is always looking to create more opportunities to connect and to improve later life. By providing these opportunities for interaction, Age UK Surrey hopes to tackle issues of loneliness and reduce the risks of older people developing dementia.   

Maureen, who relies on Age UK Surrey services, said, "I have found the Check in and Chat telephone befriending service really helpful. I live alone, and being disabled, I can’t go out much, so having a call from my befriender every two weeks is something I look forward to. It’s nice to have someone to talk to outside of my own family, as they are all working and busy during the day.”  

To mark the day:

• Age UK Surrey will be at the Healthy Ageing Event organised by Elmbridge Borough Council, at the Xcel Leisure Complex on Wednesday 1 October from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Come along to meet our team. We will be on hand to talk about the support and services we provide, answer your questions, and help you find the right information for your needs.
  
  
• Age UK Surrey hosted a very successful Tea and Dance Event at The Westway Community Centre in Caterham on Saturday, 27th September, to celebrate older people and our community coming together. 

At Age UK Surrey, older people are celebrated throughout the year. We hope you can join us at these and future events, connecting with the community and discovering the support available to help make later life fulfilling.