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.

Wellbeing Café

We run a Wellbeing Café with complimentary refreshments on Monday mornings to start the week right that is also open to older people and their families interested in what we do and as a way of providing a warm welcome to those being referred to us from a wide variety of referring bodies. Support staff and volunteer Welcome Hosts explain our work and principles, show short video clips on a large screen and all the exciting range of forthcoming courses, social activities and projects.

Group Sessions

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.

Seated Exercise

With exercise promoting the release of feel-good endorphins, participants are encouraged to return each week and progress. These group sessions also significantly reduced isolation and encouraged communication among participants. In 2020, 53 people registered for this class, with average attendances of 25 per week (a 56% increase on last year). 94% of our older people registered with the chair-based exercise class and rated it 10 out of 10 in a survey for assessing the impact attendance has had upon users lives.

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

We run a large and varied adult community learning programme in partnership with several educational bodies through formal agreements. Camden Adult Community Learning (ACL) has become our largest single partner since we moved into our next premises at Cumberland Market. The Workers Educational Association, the Working Men’s College and the Marry Ward Centre are others with which we have long time agreements. It is generally now well known what the health and wellbeing benefits of taking part in a community learning course are:

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

The Club was quickly re-established at the outset of the first lockdown by going online and has operated via zoom throughout the period every Wednesday including one to one support and Health Talks with Club Organiser – Philomena. The health chats formed an important part of these online sessions enabling users to be able to raise physical and mental health concerns and receive or be signposted on to access expert help and advice. This was our largest online club over the last two years.

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!