One Day with MHA

Every leap year we gain an extra day – so in 2016 we’re marking it with One Day with MHA and the opportunity to explore the issues of growing older in today’s society.

One Day marks 29 February 2016 with a special conference aimed at exploring the issues of importance to the growing numbers of older people, how we prepare for and experience later life and the role we all have in creating a more age-friendly society.

Chaired by our patron Dame Denise Platt DBE, our confirmed key note speakers include Anna Dixon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Better Ageing, Alison Holt, BBC Social Affairs Correspondent and Dame Esther Rantzen DBE, television presenter and founder of The Silver Line.

At MHA we recognise that loneliness and isolation is an increasing challenge that affects many of us as we age and it is manifested both physically and emotionally. We currently serve 16,000 older people with care, accommodation and support service with ambitions to help thousands more and influence issues which affect millions each day.

Chief executive Adrian Bagg said: “We want to make sure that every older person can be connected within a community of their choice so they can live an independent and fulfilled later life as they age.

“With our roots in, and commitment to social justice, we want to enable this support to reach the millions who are affected by loneliness every year. This conference will allow us to explore current and future ideas and future to combat this issue.”

The conference starts at 12.30pm and is being held at the Central Hall in Westminster. Then following the conference, MHA will be hosting a special service to help us continue our tradition of marking the leap year day by celebrating and affirming our Christian roots.

Hosted by another of our patrons Pam Rhodes, we will be joined by Revd Stephen Gaukroger and friends for this special celebration. This event starts at 6.15pm.  

To find out more about both events and to book your places, go to www.mha.org.uk/oneday and follow us on Twitter @MethodistHomes to keep up with the latest offerings.