Supporting Older People to Thrive in Kent

Each year, 1 October marks International Day of Older Persons, a day of celebration and recognition of the older people who make up our local communities.

At Involve, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to age well and continue doing the things that matter to them. Through our services, projects, and partnerships, we support older people across Kent to stay independent, build connections, access local support, and have their voices heard on the issues that affect them.

This year’s theme, ‘What’s on your doorstep?’, highlights the importance of creating communities where older people can access opportunities, services and social connections close to home. Across Kent, there are a number of ways for older residents to get involved, stay active, and shape the places where they live. Here are just some of the ways Involve Kent is helping older people thrive in their local communities.

Age-Friendly Ambassadors

Kent is on a journey to become an age-friendly county, where people can live well, stay independent, and feel valued as they grow older. So far, Ashford, Faversham, and Sevenoaks are already part of the Age Friendly Communities Network and are developing local plans designed to make their communities more inclusive and accessible, with an ambition for an age-friendly approach to continue expanding across the county. Central to this initiative are Age Friendly Ambassadors, who play an important role in ensuring older people’s voices are heard.

By encouraging participation in consultations, community conversations, and local initiatives, ambassadors help influence local councils’ decisions that affect people later in life while promoting positive attitudes towards ageing. This role offers a fully flexible opportunity for people aged 50 and over to use their skills, knowledge and lived experience to support positive change in their communities in a way that feels comfortable to them.

KCC Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, Jamie Henderson said: “With the number of Kent residents over 50 set to rise by 25% over the next three decades to around 900,000, it’s more important than ever that our towns and cities are age-friendly. International Day of Older People is the perfect moment to celebrate the work going on to make this happen.”

If you’re interested in becoming an Age Friendly Ambassador and help shape the future of your local community, email us at volunteering@involvekent.org.uk or find out more here.

Read more about the Age Friendly Ambassador initiatives here.

Connect 55+

Connect 55+ is a free service run by Involve designed to help people aged 55 and older to build confidence, stay independent, and remain connected to their local community.

Whether someone is looking to meet new people, discover activities, access local groups, or find practical information and support, Connect 55+ is there to help. The service provides personalised guidance on a range of topics, from local community services to advice on benefits and wellbeing support.

For many people, taking that first step can feel daunting, particularly after a significant life change such as retirement, a bereavement or decline in health. Connect 55+ offers friendly, one-to-one support, helping people identify what matters most to them and connecting them with opportunities that can improve their quality of life.

Connect 55+ is available free of charge to residents of Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley.

To find out more about this service, email hello@involvekent.org.uk or call 03000 810005.

Involve Directory

Involve’s free online Directory is a valuable resource for anyone looking to stay active, connected and informed. With more than 1,000 listings covering social groups, community activities, local services, helplines and specialist support, it provides a simple way to discover what’s available across Kent.

Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, support for a specific issue, opportunities to meet new people, or information about local services, the Directory makes it easy to find the help and activities that are right for you. You can search by topic or browse categories, making it simple to explore the wide range of opportunities available in your local community. There’s something for everyone.

Search the Directory here.

Centre for Ageing Better

To learn more about this year’s International Day of Older Persons theme, ‘What’s on your doorstep?’, visit the Centre for Ageing Better website here.