Trustee joins 'Age is Just a Number' session

Hypatia Analytics is proud to support Age UK Wandsworth’s ‘Age is Just a Number’ series, an engaging programme that celebrates lifelong learning and curiosity across generations.

I recently attended a session that introduced participants to different writing and numbering systems from around the world, kicking off with a discussion about how scripts and numerical representation vary across cultures from Roman numerals to the Hindu-Arabic numeral system most commonly used today.

But the real highlight? A fascinating deep dive into Cistercian numerals, a medieval system created by European monks. I’ll be honest. This was my first time learning about Cistercian numerals, and it was just as intriguing as it sounds.

Participants learned how to build numbers using a central vertical line and strategically placed strokes in four quadrants. With a little guidance, everyone was able to write numbers like 56, 41, and even 356 in this beautifully compact format.

After the introduction, we moved into a hands-on colour-by-numbers activity, but with a twist: the colour codes were written in Cistercian numerals. This meant decoding each symbol to find the correct colour, blending creativity with logic in a really fun way.

It was inspiring to watch participants collaborate in pairs and small groups, supporting one another as they cracked the code. There was some confusion at times (who hasn’t stared at an unfamiliar numeral before?), but the room was filled with laughter and teamwork,

What made it even more special was having staff team Tabea and Viktorija leading the session. Not only did they introduce me to something completely new, but their passion and energy was infectious. It was clear they loved what they were doing, and that joy carried through to everyone in the room.

Huge thanks to Age UK Wandsworth for inviting me to be part of this beautiful project. We’re already looking forward to the next session.

Karrie Liu (CMath FIMA) is a trustee at Age UK Wandsworth and director of Hypatia Analytics