There is a Golden Age Fair being held at the Ivy Leaf Club next
Monday 9th December. 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This event aims to provide advice and support to the over 60s all under one roof, and also give people an opportunity to meet new friends. Golden Age Fairs allow older residents, particularly those in our rural villages, to receive important information, help and guidance on a wide range of issues.
If you have anyone in your area that could benefit from this please pass the message on. Its free to drop in.
Our Golden Age Fairs provide information, advice and guidance for the over 60s in Fenland
What are the Golden Age Fairs?
The Golden Age Fairs are events that are primarily aimed at the older members of our communities, usually 60 years and over, as well as their family/carers/friends. They bring together a range of service providers to their potential service users in one location, giving older people access to information, advice and guidance they may not have previously been aware of, or know how to access.
How often do the Fairs take place?
There are four Fairs held every year across Fenland, visiting many of the smaller villages as well as the market towns.
Where are the Fairs located?
The Fairs are usually held in the local village hall or community centre. In the towns, they may also be held in other community venues depending on the size of the space available.
Who can attend the Fairs?
Everyone! While the Fairs are primarily for Fenland residents who are over 60, we also recognise that younger family members/carers or friends will benefit from being aware of the services available and how to access them when or if the need arises.
How much does it cost to get in to the Fairs?
Nothing! Entry to the Golden Age Fairs is completely free. And not only is entry free, there is also free tea/coffee/squash and cakes and biscuits available throughout the duration of the event. And if that still isn’t enough, everyone who comes to the Fairs is given a free canvas shopping bag and pen on entry and many of the partners who support the Fairs also have freebies to give away such as key rings, trolley tokens etc.
Which partners attend the Fairs?
There are over 50 partners who work with the Golden Age Team with between 20-30 attending the Fairs on a regular basis depending on the location within the District and the size of the venue. There are many national voluntary organisations involved, as well as more local and/or specialised service providers.
- Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service – offering a free electric blanket exchange programme as well as home fire safety advice
- Cambridgeshire Constabulary – advice on personal, property and financial safety
- Cambridgeshire County Council Community Protection Team – scam awareness advice
- The Royal British Legion – range of support for retired armed forces personnel
- Age UK – Information, advice and guidance on a range of topics
- Cam Sight – Local charity for the blind
- Alzheimer’s Society – Information, advice and guidance for those with dementia and their families/carers/friends
- Active Fenland – Free taster sessions for sports and exercise groups
- Careline & Care and Repair service – adaptations, mobility and independence aids
- Cambridgeshire Library Service – educational activities, outreach services
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS trust – medicine advice, patient liaison
What is the Fenland Ferret?
The Fenland Ferret is a computer programme that ferrets out unclaimed benefits. Since the start of the Golden Age Fairs in 2003, the Ferret has identified over £800,000 in unclaimed benefits for older people in Fenland. Those benefits have made a genuine difference to our residents but they would have remained unclaimed if the individuals hadn’t attended the Fair and met with the skilled customer services advisor in confidence to discuss their financial situation.
For more information on Golden Age, please email goldenage@fenland.gov.uk
or call 01354 654321 and ask to speak to a member of the Community Support Team.
©FDC
