Anchors away for Havering’s older residents

​Councillor Andrew Curtin with Ruby from Southwark Circle and Jean, Sue and Brenda from Havering Circle
​Residents of Havering had a great time visiting HMS Belfast as part of a new scheme which offers older people the chance to socialise and meet new people.
​Havering Council is working with a new service called the Havering Circle to provide more opportunities for residents over 50 to socialise in the borough. The Circle is part of a wider scheme called Active Living, which also encompasses volunteering, befriending and fitness offers. Active Living is designed to give residents the opportunity to have fun, learn new skills, take part in social activities or make a valued contribution to their local area.

The visit was offered by the Circle as one of their day trips. Visitors had the chance to learn about the history of the warship, hear stories from World War Two and have a look around the nine decks.

The Circle is a membership-based service open to anyone over the age of 50, supporting individuals and communities to lead more involved and active lives as they get older.

The Circle supports its members across four areas of their lives: social activity, life’s practical tasks, tailored learning and appropriate health and well-being services. At the heart of the Circle is a fundamental belief that everyone has the right to a flourishing, independent later life, in which people are able to do everything they want to do in the ways they want to do it.

Membership of the Circle includes access to a network of local helpers: friendly and vetted local people who can help with gardening, cleaning, technology and odd jobs around the house. There is also a monthly calendar with a whole range of social events including meals, day trips, concerts and money saving offers.

Evidence shows that staying active as we grow older has significant health and well-being benefits. People who are socially active are said to have a 50 percent less chance of developing dementia and have a significantly reduced chance of having high blood pressure.

Councillor Andrew Curtin, Cabinet Member for Culture, Towns and Communities, said:

“We have a large population of older people in the borough and we want to offer them the chance to go out and socialise, have fun and be healthy.
“We often get requests from those who have retired about how they can give something back to the community and how they can get involved in what is going on around them.

“This programme gives our older residents a chance to make a positive contribution to the borough through volunteering and befriending as well as other social opportunities to ensure that our older population don’t become inactive or lonely.”

Residents who are interested in the scheme can visit www.havering.gov.uk/activeliving