Celebrating the power of community: International Day of Older Persons

This International Day of Older Persons, we're celebrating the community groups that help older people stay connected, supported and involved in the places they call home.

Across Scotland, we support hundreds of groups that bring older people together through friendship, shared experiences and practical support. On the Isle of Lewis, Monday Club is a fantastic example of this, offering a welcoming community for people affected by stroke and other long-term health conditions.

At the heart of Monday Club is friendship

For more than 25 years, Monday Club has been a valued part of the local community, providing friendship, companionship and support for people affected by stroke and other long-term health conditions.

For many older people in the area, particularly those living alone or managing the challenges that can come with ill health, the club offers a warm welcome, a listening ear and a place where everyone feels valued and included. It is a community where people are seen for who they are, not the health conditions they live with. Members are encouraged to focus on their strengths, enjoy new experiences, build meaningful friendships and continue living life to the fullest.

Meeting weekly, the club offers a wide range of activities chosen by members themselves. From lunches, afternoon teas, bowling trips and visits to local attractions, to alpaca visits, seated yoga, spa days and rides with Cycling Without Age, there is always something to look forward to. An in-house band brings music and laughter to gatherings, while visits from social care services and third sector organisations provide valuable information and support.

More than a social group

For many members, Monday Club is much more than a place to socialise. It provides connection, confidence and a genuine sense of belonging.

We particularly value that the club isn't confined to a room or defined by stroke. The group regularly visits Spors Nis for tenpin bowling, they go to different cafés and other places within the community, meaning members are out and about, visible, included and valued as part of the wider community. They are not simply people who have had a stroke. They are people who belong.

Family members are also warmly welcomed at sessions, helping them feel part of the wider community that the club has created.

Our mother had a catastrophic stroke in 2020 aged 65. She lost her speech and ability to walk. The club opened a whole new world, accepted and related to her with open arms. It gave her purpose and became her lifeline.

Monday club has helped restore confidence, independence and happiness.

A new home, new environment and stroke within four weeks was almost too much for my parents to bear. Without the club, I don't think they would have had the confidence to make connections beyond immediate family. The club is the only time they are independent without me being their chaperone. They look forward to the fun that a Monday brings.

One member, who initially struggled with confidence after losing her speech, found friendship and understanding through the club:

Attending lifted her spirits and confidence. One of the biggest benefits are the friends she met who understood her situation. They formed strong bonds and support each other through their highs and lows.

Whether celebrating birthdays and achievements, sharing stories over a cup of tea, or supporting one another through difficult times, the members of Monday Club are there for each other. Every gathering is filled with conversation, laughter, kindness and encouragement.

As one member simply puts it:

It's so much fun. I have met lovely people. We are family.

Helping older people stay connected

This International Day of Older Persons,  Monday Club reminds us of the difference local groups can make. Through friendship, shared experiences and mutual support, communities like this help older people stay connected and continue doing the things that matter most to them.

Across the country, our member groups provide opportunities for older people to build friendships, take part in activities and remain active in their communities. Their work helps ensure that older people feel seen, valued and included, not just on International Day of Older Persons, but every day of the year.