This year’s Ageing Well Festival in Brighton & Hove bringing together 100 events focused on Creative Ageing for people aged 50+ is now under way.

The Festival takes place between 20th September and 4th October. and is unique to Brighton & Hove, where the number of residents aged 65+ is expected to rise to more than 50,000 by 2030.

Events this year include a walk on the Downs with an artist, a tour of Brighton’s street art, workshops in creative cooking, song writing, digital storytelling, photography and sewing.

There is a range of music, dance and drama events to watch or join in alongside talks and discussions on creative ageing.  

Broadcaster Dame Joan Bakewell said: 

Creative Ageing can transform lives, older people thrive when given the chance to express themselves in art or craft. This is a brilliant idea: I congratulate the festival on encouraging us oldies to get active.

The Festival is built around the United Nations International Day of Older Persons. Partners in the European Creative Ageing Programme in Germany, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands will be holding events in their cities. People from Brighton & Hove can join in with those online which presents an opportunity to connect, at a time when travel is limited.

A highlight this year will be a dance event held simultaneously in Munich and on Hove seafront. This will be live streamed in both countries on 1st October

Caroline Ridley CEO of Impact Initiatives who produce the Festival said:

We have some online events this year but we are delighted to be able to return to a live Festival.  This brings opportunities to re-gain confidence in going out and about, re-connect with friends and life outside our homes. Importantly it is the chance to meet like-minded people, learn something new and simply have a much-needed good time..

Photo: Impact Initiatives