AgeUK Camden
102 Fitzjohns Avenue London NW3 6NS
Henderson Court is a local charity supported by Hampstead Parish Church.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the centre and on Saturday 1st October, to mark the International Day for Older Persons, the centre celebrated its birthday with an Open Afternoon..
A recent Press Release states:
“This October, Henderson Court will be celebrating 50 years of helping older people to live independent, enjoyable and fulfilling lives. The centre offers a range of activities including yoga, music appreciation, dancing, digital inclusion and day trips. It’s a much loved resource in Hampstead, a place where friendships are enjoyed and a real sense of community is experienced for many older people who may otherwise be isolated and alone.
“Georgina came to Henderson Court while recovering from a stroke. Alongside hospital support and rehabilitation, she enjoyed activities and made new friends at the centre, and her health improved. She’s now one of the centre’s befrienders for new members. She says: “This place has been a lifesaver. I wasn’t enjoying life or the hospital but coming here was absolutely wonderful. I come five days a week now and I wouldn’t be without it.”
Henderson Court kicks off its 50th birthday celebrations at a free event on 1 October, coinciding with International Day of Older Persons. It will also launch a new scheme – Friends of Henderson Court – for potential supporters to enjoy a range of benefits while supporting older people in their community.
Henderson Court is one of the services provided by Age UK Camden, alongside befriending, counselling, advice and much more. It’s also where Opening Doors London – a charity providing information and support services for older LGBT people – was born in 2005, when a small group began social meetings and activities at the centre.
Emma Doyle. Communications Manager. Age UK Camden
www.ageukcamden.org.uk / 020 7239 0400 (Wednesday to Friday)
Henderson Court are putting on a fundraising concert on Tuesday November 1st in the church. Time & programme tbc. – look out for notices. It will include contributions from three local schools, along with a professional duo.
The centre, run by AgeUK Camden, offers day facilities for older people. They provide a vital service to keep people active, physically and mentally, and most importantly to alleviate loneliness.
Fresh lunch is cooked on the premises daily and transport is provided for housebound people.
Activities include dancing, darts, keep fit, yoga, Tai Chi, massage, poetry, music appreciation, guitar circle, crafts, painting, hairdressing, bingo, computer & internet sessions.
There is also a nail-cutting service (feet and hands), plus a Dementia support group.
Appreciative users of the centre have said such things as:
“This place is what keeps me going”
“You look after my mother so well. I can stop worrying about her when she is with you. She loves it there.”
Laurie White, Henderson Court’s manager writes:
“The centre continues to struggle financially as the cuts to Adult Social Care bite deeper. Age UK Camden is currently looking at re-modelling the service to meet these challenges.
The centre has applied for funding for capital development works under the Community Infrastructure Levy scheme and this is currently being considered and explored by local councillors in the two wards adjacent to the centre – Frognal & Fitzjohn’s and Hampstead Town. The concept is to partly extend the centre outwards at ground floor level to include a new community-use space and café area. At present the centre is also utilised for ballet classes post-school time and weekend chess tournaments.
Staffing-wise the centre remains the same just now – five core staff with volunteers.
Membership remains steady at 50/60 per day using the building.
It is interesting to note that there is a rise in demand for services for people with moderate dementia. This seems to be a trend across Camden & not just NW3.”
Please consider making a donation or becoming a Friend of Henderson Court.
How to join:
Pay online using via Virgin Money Giving:
Go to Virgin Money and select Friends of Henderson Court in the ‘Find out more’ box on the left.
Click on ‘Make a donation’ on the right.
In the drop down box change single to regular to continue your membership annually, enter the membership amount and continue the steps from there.
Please enter Friends of Henderson Court in the donations message box. Thank you.
Alternatively, leaflets will also be available at the back of the church or from the centre.