Haringey's first 'age well' festival for older people deemed big success

The festival in Bruce Castle Park was a chance for older residents to celebrate the joys of ageing

The organisers of Haringey’s inaugural ‘Age Well Festival’ have hailed the “fantastic turnout” for the event in Bruce Castle Park last Saturday.

Organised by Haringey Council, Public Voice and the NHS North Central London NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) in collaboration with many local creative, voluntary and community sector partners, the vibrant and free-to-attend event saw the borough’s older residents come together, engage in a variety of activities and explore what it truly means to age well.

The festival was divided up into six “dynamic zones” with one of its many highlights being the ‘purple parade’ (pictured above).

Inspired by Jenny Joseph’s iconic poem Warning, which celebrates defying age-related stereotypes, attendees were invited to don their favourite shade of purple and march through the park alongside festival organisers.

The parade represented a chance for our older community and their allies to be seen, heard and celebrated, honouring the invaluable contributions they make to society at large.

Adding a touch of creative flair, artist Donald Waugh, who runs ‘Pavement To Catwalk’, collaborated with eight ambassadors to design unique headpieces for the parade – each one symbolising the diverse journeys we all take as we grow older.

Festival goers also got to enjoy dance and live music performances as well as participate in an extensive array of hobbies and pursuits such as ‘Create Your Own Story,’ Nordic walking, pickleball, walking cricket and much more.

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