Planning for a happy and fulfilling later life - new festival

Chichester’s second-ever Later Life Living Festival will be looking to build on the success of the first.

It comes from Sussex Care Hub and takes place on Saturday, September 26 from 12:00 to 3:00 at Chichester's New Park Centre (free to attend, no need to book).

Chris White-Smith, of Promedica24 West Sussex, is masterminding the day. He promises it will be inspiring and informative. The focus will be on preparing for the difficult winter months ahead when the elderly are at their most vulnerable.

Chris said it wasn't so much a question of there not being enough information out there. It was much more a question of ensuring that people can access trusted information.

“We are bringing together 27 organisations that provide information about local services in the Chichester area around everything that people need to know to enjoy a fulfilled and happy later life.

“Our first one was in April. That was the spring one, and it went really well, and that's why we're doing another one but this time focusing on winter. It will be a slightly bigger event than before.

“Once again Jess Brown-Fuller MP will be in attendance with her weekly surgery, supporting a host of exhibitors supporting the local community with information about later life living. She has been a big supporter for us.

“It is not that the information is not out there. It's about how you find it. The internet is a behemoth of information but it is very hard to know what you can trust. There's plenty of information out there but it's difficult to know whether it's coming from a trusted source. What we have got is a group of trusted providers giving trusted information, and if you want to know something that we don't have the answer for, then we will know somebody that does!”

Chris is already looking towards a much bigger event next year, and the aim is also to build a directory of services: “The directory is quite small at the moment but we aiming to build it into something very comprehensive.”

Saturday's event is free to attend. No need to register in advance

More details at https://sch-chichester.co.uk/

Taking part are: Promedica24 (West Sussex), Harbour Wealth Planning, Age UK, St Wilfrids Hospice, Enable Ltd, Nuffield Health, Naomi Lloyd Photography, Sage House, Myra App

LV Rehab, Wellington Grange, End Of Life Network, Reynolds Funeral Care, Remedies by Ros, Southern Coop Bereavement Care, Chichester Grange, Avoston Care, ReelLife Conversations, Barchester Care, Guardian Angels Care, Jess Brown-Fuller MP, Chichester Dementia Alliance, Carers Support West Sussex, JS and Co Property, Health and Independent Living support (HILS), Dicke Bows and Petticoats Club and Chichester Tri-shaw.