Over the next few weeks, East Sussex is hosting the Full of Life festival, celebrating the role people over 50 play in our communities.
More than 80 free and paid-for activities for the 50-plus age group will be taking place during September and October to mark International Older People’s Day on October 1.
Varied events
Street dancing, sangria and accessible sport are some of the activities taking place over the next few weeks.
The programme also features activities ranging from nature sessions, dancing, and art workshops to film screenings, walks, and singalongs.
This year’s festival is the largest programme of events since the initiative was established 18 years ago and there is a wide range of varied events taking place county wide. Why not check out what’s happening near you?
Ageing well
Healthy ageing is important to ensure we all age well.
The Full of Life events programme includes sessions to encourage healthy ageing such as weekly wellbeing talks, seated exercise sessions, and chair-based yoga.
Active Age Health MOTs, which include balance and grip tests and information on how to stay active, are also available.
What’s on near you?
There are events happening in locations all across East Sussex, including Bexhill, Crowborough, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings, Newhaven, Rye, Seaford, Uckfield, and Winchelsea.
Full details are available online or alternatively a free Full of Life brochure is available now from libraries, council offices, and leisure centres.
There’s lots going on but we’ve picked out a few of highlights:
Eastbourne
Celebration of Older People’s Day, 2 October, 2pm to 4:30pm St Saviours Church Hall, South Street
Socialise and get together in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment from popular singer Stephen Dunnett.
Coffee, tea and cake included in entry fee.
Active Age Health MOT, 3 October, 1pm to 2:30pm, Hillbrow Health and Wellbeing, 1 Denton Road
Try out a free circuit session and find out more about staying active. The team can also check blood pressure, balance, grip and strength too.
Hastings
Glass painting – tealight holders, 16 October, 11:30am to 1:30pm, Arthur Easton Centre, St Michaels Hospice, St Leonards
Painting can be a mindful and relaxing activity. Come along and paint glass tealight holders, no artistic ability necessary!
The activity is a one-off session with tutor Cath from Radiator Arts, and is part of the First Time for Everything programme. A free light lunch will follow the painting session.
Walking football, Mondays, 1:30pm to 2:30pm, Summerfields Leisure Centre, Hastings and Mondays, 6pm to 7:30pm, Alexandra Park multi-use games area, Hastings
Walking football is a great way to keep fit and rediscover your competitive side and love of football.
Due to the slower pace and reduced contact, walking football reduces the risk of injury and is a fun way to stay active.
Chair yoga, Fridays, 1:30pm to 2:30pm, St Leonards Studio, Royal Victoria Hotel,
Do you want to increase your strength and mobility in a safe and relaxing environment? Then why not join this chair-based yoga class and give it a go.
Lewes
Spanish-themed afternoon with language lesson, tapas and sangria, 8 October, 12pm to 3pm, Cheney’s Lodge, Seaford
Enjoy a social event with a Spanish theme.
A local Spanish enthusiast will be there to give a beginner Spanish language lesson. Share your own experiences of the Spanish culture, language and holidays. And there’s free tapas and a glass of sangria available too!
Rother
Pickleball in Bexhill, various dates and times, Bexhill Leisure Centre, Down Road, Bexhill
A highly sociable, easy to learn and doable racket sport, Pickleball is accessible to ages ranging from teenage to those in their 80s. Regular participants with wide ranging physical abilities enjoy ‘playing’ together and embracing the warm camaraderie in this fabulous Pickleball community.
Sessions are held on: Sundays 1:30pm to 4pm, Tuesdays 2:30pm to 5pm, Wednesdays 11am to 2pm, Thursdays 11am to 1:30pm and 7pm to 9pm, Fridays 3pm to 5pm.
Bexhill Belles Walking Netball, every Monday, 11am to 12pm, Bexhill Leisure Centre, Down Road, Bexhill
Get fitter, increase stamina and co-ordination in a games setting, nattering and laughter always included.
Coffee and tea is available from the leisure centre.
Winchelsea tea and cake: Friends Altogether in Rother (FAiR), last Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm, Winchelsea Beach Community Hall, Winchelsea Beach
Come along and to a warm and friendly space where you can receive health and wellness advice from professionals, including a GP.
Receive a hand massage from professionally trained volunteers and enjoy tea, coffee and locally baked cakes and savouries.
Wealden
Be Together Drumming Circle, 29 September and 27 October, 11:30am to 12:30pm, Victoria Pavilion, Victoria Pleasure Ground, Uckfield
You don’t need any musical skills to join in the drumming circle sessions.
Expert facilitator, Denys, brings the group together in a fun and joyful hour, enhancing your wellbeing. Come and give it a go. Carers can attend for free.
Yarners – knitting, sewing, crochet and handicrafts, Mondays, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Sew Inspired, Mayfield
Come along and meet friendly people and learn new skills or share old ones!
Spend time in the shop working on your own personal makes or join our community projects.
Older People’s Forums
Some of the events taking place over the next few weeks have been organised by one of the senior forums that form part of East Sussex Seniors’ Association.
The forums are non-political and anyone aged 50 or over interested in local, regional and national issues can get involved. Forum members are volunteers and actively seek to improve the quality of life for seniors in their community.
In addition to holding social events and offering help and advice to older people, East Sussex Seniors’ Association provides a collective voice for the over 50s across the county.
