On Friday 20 October 2023, volunteers from companies across Marble Arch came together to celebrate Silver Sunday, a nationwide campaign tackling loneliness and isolation in older people. Colleagues from local organisations including The Portman Estate, Hammerson, Bridgepoint, Barclays and Hilton London Metropole joined Marble Arch BID at Victory Services Club for a very special afternoon of board games, sweet treats and companionship.
Volunteers brought along board games, decks of cards and sets of dominoes and hosted tables in pairs, dishing out tea and cake to guests at their tables. We were joined by around 50 older people from Open Age, Penfold Community Hub and Neighbourcare who took part in some seriously competitive rounds of Scrabble, Uno, Monopoly and more. Grosvenor Casinos brought Monte Carlo to Marble Arch as they came equipped with their roulette wheel and giant cards.
Launched in 2012 by the Sir Simon Milton Foundation and Westminster City Council, Silver Sunday has grown into a nationwide campaign with events across the UK to celebrate older people and to raise awareness of isolation and loneliness. Marble Arch BID celebrates Silver Sunday across the month of October, organising fun, free activities led by our fantastic local volunteers.
20 volunteers helped to deliver our Board Games Extravaganza for 2023, between them providing 70 hours of their time to offer companionship and fun to local older people. We were also fortunate to be joined by Hyde Park Ward Councillor Judith Southern, Westminster’s Older Persons Champion, who got stuck into some games, spent time chatting with guests and ensured everyone was invited to upcoming events supporting local older people.
We had a great time, and the residents and other Hub members were still laughing on our way back home.
Telma Asemota, Activity Coordinator, Penfold Community Hub
We are so grateful to our volunteers for bringing along their games, conversation and competitive spirit, to the wonderful older people’s charities for joining us, and to Victory Services Club for providing us with a fantastic venue for the afternoon. These activities raise awareness of the issues facing older people today – including isolation, loneliness and hunger – and allow volunteers to provide an afternoon of fun and companionship to those who need it most.
If you have been inspired by the wonderful work of our Silver Sunday volunteers, do get in touch with our Community Team to discuss how to get your Marble Arch team involved.
