Services and Activity Programmes
Third Age Project runs several programmes and projects aimed at improving the quality of lives for the elderly. Some of our major programmes are described below.
Seated Exercise
Chair based exercise
On Tuesdays we run a highly popular supported chair-based exercise class, providing escorts for the housebound to and from the sessions usually followed by a luncheon club providing a low-cost lunch. The group exercise aids everyone, regardless of their ability/level/age, as the exercises can be done seated or standing, with or without chair support. It helps to maintain and improve emotional and psychological health, motor fitness, assists with maintaining and improving cognitive and coordination skills/ability and supports general wellbeing.
Signposting & Advocacy
Our signposting and advocacy services are key activities for us as many of our users and local older people experience a wide range of barriers in accessing mainstream and alternative services and facilities (such as ill health, language, culture, poverty). Advocacy raises consciousness and plays an important role in increasing older people’s level of awareness of the resources available to them, community support, and the opportunities they have to help themselves.
We would with a large number of other organisations either directly and or through local networks. During the Covid-19 pandemic it has been crucial to maintain and regularly update contact details as many services went wholly online or are phone based.
Healthy and Wellbeing Community Learning
- Maintain an active mind. Learning something new acts as a workout for your brain. The challenges learning presents develops your brain, helping you to become smarter and more creative.
- Expand your horizons. It may sound obvious but adult learning expands your horizons and you have a greater awareness of the world around you
- Boost your well-being. Learning something new can work wonders for your confidence and happiness. ...
- Reduces social isolation and loneliness by providing opportunities to build new friendships
- Inspire future generations. School isn’t the only place children can learn and feel inspired. ...
Working with those with Dementia
Memory Café
Memory cafés offer a friendly welcome to anyone affected by dementia or worried about their or someone else’s memory They provide practical information and support as well as the opportunity for people to ask questions and to listen to others’ experience. They also provide an informal and social environment in which to learn new skills, enjoy activities, listen to guest speakers and make new friends.
We usually have a Memory Café on Thursday afternoons with complimentary refreshments and often themed activities with a guest speaker. Recently we ran a series of participatory sessions around exploring the senses of touch, smell, sound, seeing and taste. We have also hosted a five-week Brain Food course delivered by Anna Betz from the Camden Memory Services that was highly informative and enjoyable and we hope that we may be able to host further such initiatives in the future. We also often plan trips to nearby lovely Regents Park in the warmer weather and have even visited London Zoo just a short bus ride away.
The Café enable people with dementia and their carers to socialise and enjoy spending time with other people that can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Taking part in activities can help someone living with dementia keep active both physically and mentally. We feel that it is important for those with dementia to remain within their community and network of friendships independently for as long as is practicable as part of building an age friendly society.
60+ Health Club
Monthly Pampering Sessions with Sokina Khatun
A wonderful opportunity to be pampered and get a feel good feeling by booking an appointment with Sokina. Give us a ring to find out the date of the next session and available time slot. Sokina can provide hand massage, finger manicure and toe nail pedicure as well as good conversation!. You will need your own clipper ware or purchase one from us at cost price. We will also need to ask you a few health questions at your first appointment.
Gardening Club
Fridays from 11 am with volunteer gardener Elizabeth. All welcome from complete beginners to those with green fingers who are able to give general help with weeding, planting, watering and mowing the grass!
ESOL/English Conversation Group
Bingo
“studies have shown that playing bingo can be beneficial for older people to promote their cognitive skills. It is due to the presence of skill and alertness required to play this game. Not only for that, it is valuable to train the brain to measure information well and promote the mental speed as well”.
Bingo is every Wednesday afternoon at 2:00pm
Theatre Club
TAP Community Choir
The TAP Community Choir was started in July 2023. The aim was to give TAP members the opportunity to sing together in a welcoming and friendly environment. There has been much research on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of singing, particularly group singing. Supported by teacher Laura, many in the group report that they feel uplifted and energised at the end of each session. The Choir have performed both at TAP events and in community settings, always receiving a warm reception. Performance venues include Wellesley Road Care Home, Esther Randall Court, Regent’s Place. The TAP Community Choir retain an average of 20 members per session, making it one of our strongest groups, who spread the joy of communal singing.
Ukulele Group- Tunes on TAP
The Ukulele is one of the simplest musical instruments to learn how to play especially by those not from a musical background. It was originally started by Laurie from Capital Arts with initial funding for the purchase of instruments from Ageing Better in Camden. It subsequently was revived by teacher, Geoff, as a means of encouraging those experiencing FOGO (fear of going out) as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic to come out and re-connect to others and discover the joys of making music together.
The Ukulele group have performed in the community including: The British Library, Wellesley Road Care Home, Esther Randall Court, Regent’s Roots Festival, to name a few.
Despite several of the group having major barriers to learning (e.g. dementia and poor mental health) they have gone from strength to strength with a solid core of regular attendees who usually meet on Tuesday mornings at 10am. They have created and produced their own songbook and now have regular gigs such as the Broadstairs Folk Week.
Walking Groups
There are two weekly regular volunteer led walks on Thursday mornings. The Ramblers Association has been the national coordinating body with local boroughs like Camden having an Active Health Team to provide support locally. It is the largest network of health walk schemes in England helping thousands of people across the country to lead more active lifestyles.
The Wellbeing Walking Group and Bangla Women’s Walk are both under our walking group. Feedback received indicated the high value placed on socialising with others and in providing opportunities for making new friends. There have also been notable partnerships, such as with The Royal Parks’ Access and Engagement team hosting a special wellbeing walk each season.
The Friendship Garden
The outdoor space at our centre has been transformed to a wonderful wellbeing garden as well as an outdoor classroom and social space. The friendship garden, with enthusiastic TAP Member and Gardner- Elizabeth- always welcome new volunteers. Recently we have created two large, raised beds to grow herbs and salads for our Lunch Clubs. As Elizabeth says, ‘Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.’ Time and activity spent in nature is good for wellbeing. Evidence strongly suggests that spending time in a green environment reduced stress, improves mood and experience improved wellbeing.
TAP Lunch Clubs
It is essential that our more isolated older users have access to low cost nourishing healthy meals particularly during the colder Winter months. It is also an important way for many to socialise and make new friendships. Food is also a good incentive to bring diverse people together to learn and appreciate each other recipes and cultural diets! WE celebrate many of our different cultures and special events in this way!
Members Forum
We actively promote a strong self-help ethos among our registered users with the aim of empowering older people to have a greater voice and also as one of the five Ways to Wellbeing that improves wellbeing through giving to others as well as in receiving. In 2009 we set up a formal membership scheme in recognition of our users as among our key stakeholders and to have great influence in the decision-making within the Charity. Around two thirds of our registered users have decided to become a TAP member (261) that involves an annual donation fee of £15.00 and agreeing to a set of simple guiding principles. There is a Members Forum that meets regularly consisting of user representatives chaired by a trustee user representative so that there is a direct link to a Board of Trustees – the governing body of the Charity that meets quarterly. The Forum has a vital role in providing feedback and comment, supporting the Manager and staff team on a day to day basis and in co-ordinating our volunteering programme.
TAP MEMBERSHIP RULES
- Support Others: Offer my time to assist others who may be less able, and help with running the charity’s self-help groups, community services, and social events.
- Respect Privacy and Confidentiality: Respect the privacy and confidentiality of all members, volunteers, and staff.
- Treat Everyone with Respect: Always treat others with kindness and respect. Bullying or harassment—whether physical, verbal, or emotional—will not be tolerated. If concerns arise, the individuals involved will be spoken to. Continued unacceptable behaviour may lead to suspension or termination of membership or services.
- Contribute to Costs: Be willing to make contributions towards costs when requested, to help keep our services sustainable.
- Photo and Video Consent: Understand that the charity may take photographs and videos of activities for newsletters, our website, and other publicity materials. I give permission for images in which I appear to be used for these purposes.
- Carers’ Responsibility: If I attend with a carer, I understand they must remain with me at all times and are encouraged to participate in activities.
- Right to Refuse or Withdraw Membership: The charity reserves the right to decline or withdraw membership or access to services at its discretion. Reasons will be provided, and you have the right to appeal to the Board of Trustees within 28 days.
- We wish to retain the right to withdraw or decline registration at any time and at our discretion, but we will give you reasons for our decisions, and you can appeal to the Board of Trustees within 28 days.