Communities come together for Silver Sunday 2020
Despite Silver Sunday 2020 being our most challenging to date due to Covid-19, thanks to the incredible efforts of more than 100 organisations, supporters and volunteers – nothing could stop Silver Sunday going ahead and we saw many thousands of new connections with lonely and isolated older people across the country.
Highlights from this year’s activities included a virtual Morris Dancing demonstration in Croydon, a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed tea party, a boat trip in Greenwich, and a virtual tea party for 200 people.
We were also hugely grateful to receive a video message of support from Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, who urged everyone to “take the time to remember the older generation on 4th October, and to find creative ways to express our appreciation and gratitude to them.”
As many of older people were unable to leave their homes due to the pandemic, the instant response from communities was to find a way to “bring Silver Sunday to them instead” and more than 3,000 Silver Sunday care package deliveries made across the country. This included Westminster City Council and Surrey-based charity Painting Our World in Silver who both delivered more than 1,000 and afternoon tea boxes to their members. The ‘Silver Salisbury’ and volunteers in Chiltern & South Buckinghamshire teams also went above and beyond to deliver afternoon tea boxes to local older people.
Other groups got creative by going online and offering ‘virtual’ events. OpenAge recreated their annual dance-a-thon with five hours of toe-tapping fun. Many thoroughly enjoyed a Silver Screen Singalong hosted by the Penfold Hub, as well as an online ballet class with the Royal Academy of Dance. A virtual backpacking trip, relaxation sessions, pilates and yoga also gave people a chance to try something different from the comfort of their own homes.
More than ever before, we were overwhelmed to see the heart-warming community spirit and acts of kindness towards older people. Children making cards for their grandparents, people doing shopping for their elderly neighbours, or just taking the time to check-in on an older friend – moments which truly help bring generations together.
We are so grateful to everyone who took part this year to offer such wonderful performances and activities and we hope to able to celebrate with you all in-person again in 2021.