Hello, my name is Lesley Wilcock and I am proud to be the Co-ordinator of the new and exciting Age Proud Festival Leeds!

I’m 63, so I’m right in the target audience. For me, age is just a number; it’s just how you feel and how you mentally deal with it. I like to keep fit and keep my brain active. The one thing I can’t do is sit still, and I know there are lots of people in the same boat with me!

As festival co-ordinator it’s my job to bring everything together – to make sure all the people providing events have everything they need to make the festival happen and to make sure that everyone who would like to attend an event can find out how to do so.

The festival will run from 6-17 September at a range of venues across Leeds as well as lots of virtual events from the comfort of your own living room. You can find out what is happening, where, when and how to join by visiting www.ageproudfestivalleeds.org, which will be updated every day with new events and experiences.

We aim to showcase Leeds as a great, community-focussed city with lots to offer older people. A place where people can feel involved and valued. We want the festival to highlight that getting older doesn’t mean you’re getting weaker, poorer or slower. You’re an important member of society with a huge amount to offer.

The festival will bring a wide range of activities and events for older people to experience and enjoy. An opportunity to try something new, embark on some self-improvement or just watch something that interests or entertains.

Leeds already has a huge amount going on for older people to be involved with and we want to highlight that too. The festival will be an inclusive community event – we want everyone to be a part of it and enjoy themselves.

Make sure to attend Leeds City Museum where there is a full programme of activity planned on Thursday 9, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 September. You could get involved with some poetry, watch a brass band or ‘strike a pose’ on the red carpet, amongst other things.

Safety and wellbeing are paramount, so we are offering a mix of live and virtual events, so that people can feel comfortable about joining in.

Put the dates in your diary – come along and get involved!

Find all the most up-to-date information about the Age Proud Festival at www.ageproudfestivalleeds.org

Lesley Wilcock
Co-ordinator, Age Proud Festival Leeds