The Ministry of Equality will be marking the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on 1st October with several events, including a morning panel discussion based on the UK’s theme for the day, ‘Building Belonging: Celebrating the power of our social connections,’ at the Mayor’s Parlour, City Hall. 

A statement from the Government follows below:

Panelists will be from key stakeholder organisations which support older people, including GibSams, the Care Agency, PAAMOA (Physical ActivitiesAssociation for Mature OlderAdults) and Supability. 

A public event will follow to give information and raise awareness, from 11:30 to 1:30 pm at the Mayor’s Parlour. It will include stalls by several government departments and agencies and other organisations and charities to give information about their services and support for older members of the community. 

The Ministry of Equality has collaborated with several charities and organisations to mark the International Day of Older Persons throughout the course of the week, offering several different activities which are free and open to the public. 

• Monday 29th September, 9:30am -11:00am: Coffee Morning, GibSams in partnership with GADS at Pizza Express. 

• Wednesday 1st October, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Support and Services for Older Persons, Information and awareness-raising event at the Mayor’s Parlour, City Hall. 

• Wednesday 1st October, 5:30pm to 7:30pm: Petanque Open Session at the Gibraltar Petanque Association. 

• Thursday 2nd October, 9:30am – 12:30pm: GADSCoffee Morning at Bishop Canilla House. 

• Friday 3rd October, 10:00am to 11:00am: Coffee and Art session with the Gibraltar Horticultural Society at the Growing Artists Studio, Irish Town. To register for this event, please call 54004737. 

The Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, The Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said:“Itis of great value to mark the International Day of Older Persons and generate conversations on the power and value of social connections which are crucial in later life and help to maintain our physical and mental health. I would like to thank all our collaborators who will be supporting us throughout the week. I would also like to thank GibSams, the Gibraltar Alzheimer’s and Dementia Society (GADS), the Gibraltar Horticultural Society and the Gibraltar Petanque Association for offering sessions specifically for older persons. I hope that older members of our community will try a new activity and make new friends. Everyone in our community should feel that they belong and are of equal importance and worth, regardless of age.”