Council's Day of the Older Person event lights up the Pavilions Shopping Centre

The day, which was held at the marketplace in the Pavilions shopping centre, Uxbridge, was opened by the Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Shehryar Ahmad-Wallana, with more than 350 people attending, 35 stalls offering support, advice and activities, as well as a variety of live performances and entertainment.   

Volunteers from ORCHID (a Prostate Cancer support charity) handed out nearly 300 leaflets, and the Metropolitan Police spoke to more than 200 residents, distributed personal alarms and offered advice about avoiding scams and rogue traders. 

Attendees also enjoyed a seated Bollywood taster session, while other others tried walking football and Boccia, a popular seated bowls game.  

Council staff distributed 90 of its new 'falls guides'. These serve as a valuable a self-assessment tool, helping residents to understand their own risk of having a fall and developing a personal action plan to help stop this from happening. 

Star of both stage and screen, Nik Stoter, sang to an enraptured crowd and performance artists, Bus Pass to Broadway, also put on a great show and had people singing along. 

Lourdes Rapley, 78, from Harefield, said: "I'm really enjoying today, it's a wonderful opportunity to socialise and meet up with friends, both old and new.  

"A highlight for me was playing Boccia and I've also been visiting the stalls to find out more about the support available."  

Sue Duke, 75, from Hayes, said: "I've been looking forward to this day for weeks and weeks. I've particularly enjoyed the performance from Nik the Singer who gets the crowd up singing and dancing.    

"I'd like to thank the council for organising today as not only have I been able to reminisce with people my own age, but I've also been able to speak to representatives from Age UK and the Carers Trust who are really knowledgeable about the support available."  

Cllr Jane Palmer, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care "Our Older Person's Day event allows us to show how much we value Hillingdon's older residents.  

"While we offer fun and games, and an opportunity for people to see old friends and make new ones, our aim is that older residents leave knowing a little more about the range of valuable local services available to them and tips that could help them to lead healthier, happier lives."  

Information about activities for older people can be found on the council website www.hillingdon.gov.uk/moves