Burnley FC in the Community was delighted to bring together older adults, carers, families and community partners from across Burnley and East Lancashire today to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, proudly sponsored by VEKA UK.
The special event highlighted the power of community connection, with attendees enjoying a day of activities, entertainment, wellbeing support and friendship while recognising the invaluable contribution older adults make to communities across the region.
Throughout the day, participants enjoyed a variety of activities across several venues, with opportunities to meet new people, reconnect with friends and access valuable health and wellbeing support in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
A Day Focused on Connection, Friendship and Wellbeing
The celebrations began with morning activities at Ightenhill Bowls Club and Extra Time and The Salvation Army in Clitheroe, where attendees enjoyed everything from crown green bowling and table-top games to refreshments and social conversation.
The event welcomed both existing participants from Burnley FC in the Community’s Health & Wellbeing programmes and new attendees from across the area, creating a positive atmosphere where people could connect, share experiences and enjoy quality time together.
At the heart of the day was a simple but important message: everyone deserves the opportunity to stay active, connected and involved within their local community.
Bringing the Community Together at The Royal Dyche
The afternoon celebrations took place at The Royal Dyche, where guests received a warm welcome before enjoying an afternoon packed with entertainment, wellbeing activities and opportunities to connect with local organisations and support services.
Attendees enjoyed food and refreshments while spending time with friends old and new, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere throughout the venue.
A particular highlight of the afternoon was a fantastic live performance from local singer Kae-Lae, whose energy and talent helped make the event even more memorable for those in attendance.
Local Organisations Supporting Older People Across Burnley
The event also showcased the strength of partnership working across Burnley and East Lancashire, with a number of organisations coming together to support the day.
Guests were able to receive complimentary hand massages from NATURA, providing an opportunity to relax and enjoy a moment of wellbeing during the celebrations.
Representatives from Burnley East PCN and Burnley West PCN were on hand throughout the afternoon, offering health advice, information and support, while colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Lancashire Constabulary shared guidance to help people stay safe, healthy and connected within their communities.
The event was further enhanced by the support of The Grove Care Home, with residents joining the celebrations and enjoying the opportunity to connect with others from across the community.
Celebrating the Contribution of Older People
International Day of Older Persons is observed around the world each year to recognise the important contribution older adults continue to make to society.
The event provided an opportunity not only to celebrate those contributions, but also to highlight the importance of tackling social isolation, promoting healthy ageing and creating accessible opportunities for people to remain active and connected.
Guests also enjoyed a special Turf Talk session with Oliver Ryan MP, who spoke about what the Burnley community means to him and the importance of maintaining strong community connections.
Martin Payne, Health & Wellbeing Project Coordinator at Burnley FC in the Community, said:
“The International Day of Older Persons celebration is an opportunity to appreciate older people and celebrate their achievements. It also reminds us of the importance of inclusion and meaningful connections at every stage of life.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible. Our staff, volunteers, community partners and, most importantly, the older adults who continue to inspire us through their stories, experiences and contributions. Your time, kindness, dedication and support make a real difference.
Together, we can continue creating communities where older adults feel valued, included and celebrated, not just today, but every day. Thank you from the Health & Wellbeing Team at Burnley FC in the Community.”
Through its Health & Wellbeing programmes, Burnley FC in the Community works year-round to support people across Burnley and East Lancashire to improve their wellbeing, build friendships and maintain strong community connections. Today’s event was a wonderful reflection of that ongoing work.
Thank You to Our Partners and Supporters
Burnley FC in the Community would like to say a big thank you to VEKA UK for sponsoring the event and helping make the celebrations possible.
The charity would also like to thank The Royal Dyche for hosting the afternoon event, Haffners for providing a fantastic buffet, NATURA for offering complimentary hand massages, Burnley East PCN, Burnley West PCN, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Lancashire Constabulary, local singer Kae-Lae, Oliver Ryan MP for joining attendees and speaking about what the Burnley community means to him, and Liz and the team at The Grove Care Home for their support in helping residents attend and enjoy the celebrations.
Finally, thank you to all the staff, volunteers and attendees who helped make the event such a success. It was fantastic to see so many familiar and new faces come together to celebrate, connect and enjoy a day filled with friendship, laughter and community spirit.
Supporting Health and Wellbeing All Year Round
As Burnley FC in the Community marks this year’s International Day of Older Persons, the organisation remains committed to supporting older adults across the region through programmes that promote physical activity, social connection and positive wellbeing.
Events such as these demonstrate the powerful difference that community can make, helping people build confidence, develop friendships and feel connected to the world around them.
Together, Burnley FC in the Community and its partners will continue working to create opportunities that ensure older people across Burnley and East Lancashire feel valued, included and supported throughout the year.
Extra Time is supported by the Premier League Fans Fund. The Premier League Fans Fund provides grants to support football clubs at all levels of the game to strengthen connections between them, their fans and local communities.
The fund supports a range of fan-focused and fan-led projects, helping to foster a sense of belonging through meaningful engagement. This includes schemes for under-represented groups, to further develop an inclusive and welcoming matchday experience for everyone.
The fund is open to professional football club charities in the Premier League, EFL and Women’s Super League 1 and 2.
The fund currently supports 137 fan-led projects addressing a range of themes such as community cohesion; education, employability and training; equality, diversity and inclusion; mental health and well-being; and environmental sustainability. Over 18,000 participants engaged in nearly 9,000 sessions in the 2023-2025 iteration of the fund.
The Premier League has committed £5million to the Premier League Fans Fund from 2026-2028. This will be administered through the Premier League Foundation.
To find out more about the national Premier League Fans Fund, please visit premierleague.com
