People over 60, or those interested in services and support for over 60s, can attend the first Mac’s Golden Age fair of 2024 – a free, friendly information event with refreshments included.

The event in Parson Drove on Friday February 16, will see representatives from around 20 service providers staffing stalls offering information about what they offer to over 60s.

That may include information on independent living support, help with bills and benefits, accessible and free exercise classes, carers’ support, personal safety and security equipment as well as learning, social and volunteering opportunities.

Visitors go home with a free canvas bag including a winter warmer pack containing woolly hat, socks, gloves, hot water bottle, a fleece snood, handwarmer and blanket as well as a travel mug, torch and pen.

Cllr Sam Clark, Golden Age team leader, said: “Anyone who is over 60, or has someone in their life who is, will benefit from coming along to the Golden Age fair.

“Visitors move around the room at their own pace, collecting leaflets and information on services that pique their interest and, if they wish, can have a chat with the service providers there to discover specific things of interest to them.

“People discover free support and services they didn’t even know were out there or that could make a difference to them.”

The Parson Drove event is on Friday, February 16, 10am to 12.30pm at Parson Drove Village Hall, Main Road, PE13 4LA.

Organisations due to attend include:

  • Careline independent living support
  • Age UK - charity dedicated to making the most of later life
  • The library service
  • Water supplier Anglian Water
  • Practical, emotional, and financial support charity the RAF Benevolent Fund
  • Housing provider Clarion Housing
  • Social prescribers, who support people to take control of their health and wellbeing and access community services and groups
  • PECT – a charity that involves communities in creating healthier, greener places
  • CamSight – charity supporting people with low vision and blindness
  • CCVS, which promotes and supports volunteering and community groups
  • PeoplePlus, whose role includes the support of independent living
  • Active Fenland providing free and low-cost exercise and activity sessions
  • ‘People and Animals’ promoting animal assisted therapy
  • East of England Ambulance Service Trust
  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
  • Carer support focused Caring Together Charity

Mac’s Golden Age events are coordinated and enabled by Fenland District Council, with support from partners, and were launched in 2003 by the late Cllr Mac Cotterell MBE. 

Parson Drove Parish Council has covered the cost of the venue and Wisbech Tesco sponsored refreshments. March Broad Street regeneration works provider Octavius has also funded torches for the goodie bags.

Mac’s Golden Age fairs are held throughout the year at different locations across the district.

Details of future events will be published at www.fenland.gov.uk/goldenage