Strictly glamour graced Silver Sunday celebrations as celebrity Angela Rippon made a surprise appearance at a dancing social supported by British Land and Victory Services Club. Angela made a special guest appearance at our volunteering event at the Beethoven Centre, taking part in the dancing and addressing the attendees of the importance of staying active, particularly in later years. She then became head judge, awarding the best dancers of the afternoon with their own Silver Sunday t-shirts.
Strictly star Angela Rippon led the way on the dancefloor.
The activity was the first of two arranged by our Community Programme as part of Silver Sunday, the national day celebrating older people held on or around the first Sunday in October, involving volunteers from British Land, Victory Services Club and Berkeley Group.
On 2 October 2025, volunteers from British Land and Victory Services Club dusted off their dancing shoes for a fun social activity at the Beethoven Centre. Kindly sponsored by British Land for the second year running, the Get Up and Dance event in partnership with Age UK Westminster saw 55 older people enjoy an afternoon tea of tasty treats over conversation before hitting the dance floor through guided dancercise routines. Volunteers joined in alongside the guests to bust some moves to hits such as Circle of Life from the Lion King and She’s Like the Wind from Dirty Dancing.
Huge thanks to British Land and Victory Services Club volunteers for helping support the Get Up and Dance event.
Age UK Westminster is an independent charity which empowers older people across the borough to understand their rights and lead more fulfilling and socially active lives. According to Age UK research:
- Nearly a million older people often feel lonely
- 24% say the TV or radio is their main source of company
- 12% of older people never leave their home for a social event
On 3 October 2025, volunteers from Berkeley Group cooked a healthy community meal, bringing together 30 older people, including those living with dementia. The team of five volunteers, based at its West End Gate site, prepared a sumptuous three-course vegetarian lunch for guests at Penfold Community Hub.
The hub, based in Church Street ward, is a dedicated centre for people aged 50 plus to give them the opportunity to socialise, improve wellbeing, develop new skills and reduce loneliness.
The meal began with a Mediterranean chickpea salad, full of fresh vegetables and drizzled with a healthy dressing. For main course, guests were treated to an elegant Mushroom Wellington with a side of delicately trimmed green beans and mangetout. The showstopper pudding culminated with a healthy apple crumble with a choice of custard or ice cream.
The community meal provides an opportunity for isolated older people to enjoy a nutritious meal in the company of others, improving wellbeing and social connection.
The activities were part of Marble Arch BID’s Community Programme which supports its business members to engage in employee volunteering to address a diverse range of community need. We provide solutions to our member’s CSR/ESG commitments by sourcing, brokering and facilitating meaningful local volunteering opportunities.
From team challenges to skill-sharing to mentoring, there is something to suit every community engagement plan that creates memorable moments and sustainable impact. If you are a Marble Arch BID member and would like to find out more about the wide range of employee volunteering opportunities, please contact community@marble-arch.london
