Join us on Older Persons' Day

A free event to celebrate older people in Reading will be held on Wednesday 1 October. This is the internationally recognized Older Persons' Day 2025.

Wednesday 1 October 9:30am to 2pm at Broad Street Mall.

What's happening

There will be many stalls on the ground floor and first floor of Broad Street Mall. These stalls offer special advice and support for older people, their families, and friends.

Along with information, there will be chances to join in dancing and exercise. You can watch performances from:

  • Tilehurst Square Dance Club
  • Dunsden Green Country Dance Club
  • Age UK Berkshire choir

Special services available

Several important services will be offered at the event:

  • The Community Wellness Outreach team will give free NHS Health Checks
  • Citizens Advice Reading and Age UK Berkshire will give benefit and pension credit advice
  • An 'Ask Your Councillor' stall will be available throughout the whole event

The event is organized by Reading's Older People's Working Group. They are supported by Reading Borough Council, Age UK Berkshire and Age UK Reading.

About Older Persons' Day

International Day of Older Persons happens every year on 1 October. It's a day to recognize and celebrate how strong older people are and what they give to our communities.

This year's global theme is "inclusive aging."

Reading's Older People's Working Group

Reading's Older People's Working Group is made up of older people and organizations who work to support residents across the borough.

The group meets four times a year. They talk about issues and explore problems, giving older people a voice.

Want to learn more?

If you want to find out more about the group or join them, you can:

Organisations attending

  • Age UK Berkshire
  • Age UK Reading
  • SSEN – Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
  • Understanding Dementia
  • Reading U3A
  • Readibus
  • Engage Befriending
  • Get Berkshire Active
  • Reading Older People’s Mental Health team and Memory Clinic
  • Cancer Champions
  • Oddfellows
  • Reading Community Learning Centre
  • National Pensioners Convention – Thames Valley
  • Citizens Advice Reading
  • Reading Voluntary Action Community Wellness Outreach
  • Virgin Media 02
  • Berkshire West, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire Integrated Care Board (NHS App)
  • Sheltered Housing
  • Compass Recovery College
  • Sustainable Communities (RBC)
  • Adult Social Care (RBC)
  • Caversham Bridge Club
  • Tilehurst Square Dance Club
  • Together for Mental Wellbeing
  • Berkshire Vision
  • DWP Job Centre 50plus team
  • Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue.
  • Healthwatch Reading
  • Whitly Community Development Association
  • Berkshire Cancer Centre – Macmillan Support
  • Dunsden Green Country Dance Club

Councillor Paul Gittings, the Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care and chair of Reading’s Older People’s Working Group, said:

"This event is getting bigger and bigger, and this year over 30 organisations are joining us to support you.

“It shows how important older people are to our communities and what advice and assistance is out there from community organisations and charities.

“Come along and see what there is to offer, stay to watch our local dance and singing groups or maybe get involved.

“Thanks to the Older People’s Working group for doing such a good job of organising the event, every organisation coming, and Broad Street Mall for hosting between 9.30am and 2pm on Wednesday 1 October."

Last updated on 09/09/2025