The excellent turnout was due, in part, to the promotion of the event outside Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath. This year, The Life Show attracted residents from as far afield as Crawley Down and East Grinstead. For those in the north of the District who were unable to attend, Parish Councils and East Grinstead Help Point distributed Life Show goodie bags containing discount vouchers, useful information about services and kitchen utensils.
The average age of the nation is rising and a fifth of the residents of Mid Sussex District are above the working age. The Life Show demonstrated to residents that there is a wealth of lifestyle possibilities and opportunities available to older people.
Organised by Mid Sussex District Council, the show aimed to promote and advertise services that help people remain fit and well into later life and to help them continue enjoying independent living for as long as possible. Supporting residents in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle is an important area of work for the Council and one way of promoting the different opportunities available in Mid Sussex is through a large event such as The Life Show.
Charities and voluntary groups were well represented with 46 local organisations on hand to offer advice on topics such as developing a healthy lifestyle, keeping warm and volunteering. Older people have the life experience and professional skills that voluntary groups are looking for, and many attendees were keen to get involved.
A number of local organisations provided tips on achieving a healthy lifestyle and offered a variety of check ups. Between them, Day Lewis pharmacy and The Stroke Association conducted free diabetes tests and checked the blood pressure of the attendees.
Entertainment came in the form of a fashion show, live music and dance. As well as this, residents benefited from free massages, makeovers, reflexology and smoothie tasting. Information about the television digital switchover was given and there was an array of people around providing advice to the community.
"It's important to support older people in the community and make sure they are able to get the most out of later life", said Councillor Christopher Snowling, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. "The Life Show presents older people with a variety of useful information and opportunities that can really enhance their lives.
"There are so many organisations out there that work hard to support older people and it is wonderful that we can bring them all together in one room with an event like The Life Show. The turnout was excellent this year and it was encouraging to see people attending from towns and villages outside Burgess Hill."
ENDS
PR1117/EL/MF
28 September 2009
Contacts
Team Administrator (Concessionary fares)
Mid Sussex District Council
Oaklands Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 1SS
Tel: 01444 477304
Email: ElizabethL@midsussex.gov.uk
