Over 250 seniors attend successful Winter Warm Up event

Over 250 seniors attended the recent Winter Warm Up event held at K2 Crawley co-hosted by Crawley Borough Council in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, Crawley Community Action and Everyone Active.

The aim of the Winter Warm Up event was to encourage individuals over the age of 55 and people with hidden and physical disabilities to venture out, take part in a range of exercise activities and benefit from social interaction. A wide range of activities was available on the day such as a session on the indoor bikes, pilates, yoga, seated ballet, pickleball, indoor cricket, table tennis and indoor bowls.

30 organisations attended to offer advice and support on the day on topics such as financial support available during winter, helping raise awareness of support networks available to older people and their carers. Covid jabs, blood pressure and hearing tests were also available during the event. Partner agencies included: Audiology, Prevention Assessment Team, Diabetes Crawley, Parkinsons UK, the Stroke Association, Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and Crawley Community Action.

The Winter Warm Up event was generously sponsored for the first time by Wilson James, the UK’s largest provider of airport passenger assistance services, which covered all catering, venue and instructor costs.

Volunteers from UK Power Networks helped with directions and Community Transport provided free lifts to and from the event within Crawley. The Forget Me Nots Club Crawley were on hand to provide tea, coffee and cakes, as well as assist with the smooth operation of serving lunch.

Key highlights of the day were the “pop-up” dance performances around the building, from Louise Ryrie’s school of dance, as well as the Rock Choir (made up from members of various branches such as Crawley, Horley, East Grinstead, Brighton and Hove) – which performed some well-known numbers to guests during the lunch break.

The Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Sharmila Sivarajah, Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Jones, and Councillor Chris Mullins, Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing, attended the event and praised the day’s success and community spirit.