On Saturday 10th October at the Cecil Sharp House in Regent’s Park Road, there’s going to be an new all-day event intended for people aged 50 and older.
The organisers of Rebel Later Life: The Ideas Party are the journalist and writer Rose Rouse and writer and podcast host Suzanne Noble.
Ten years ago, Suzanne and Rose founded the social enterprise Advantages of Age to, “challenge the media narrative around ageing.”
Advantages of Age is building a community of people who are in “the third quarter of their lives and reframing what it means to be older,” says Suzanne. Through online conversations, activities and a magazine, Advantages of Age tackles universal and sometimes tricky or provocative topics.
“We’ve been learning from our community and realising what subjects come up all the time,” says Suzanne. “Whist we call ourselves Advantages of Age for good reason, we find that there are life issues, especially around relationships, work, money and end-of-life, which constantly concern people.”
And it’s these issues which will be discussed, seriously and humorously, by celebrated writers, thinkers and entrepreneurs at the event Rebel Later Life: The Ideas Party.
Journalist Lucy Cavendish is hosting an early afternoon talk about Re-designing your relationship after 50 and the dating coach Dr Mairi Macleod’s talk is titled Can I still find a partner after 50?
John Spencer Williams, author of F**k Work Let’s Play and Crazy Successful, will speak about Creating an income from the things you enjoy. Another talk addresses a not so uncommon fear – What if your pension isn’t enough?
Other intriguing talks include Rebellious medicine in later life and How to have a funky funeral. In the afternoon, Jane Duncan Rogers, voted Scotland’s Woman of Inspiration in 2023, offers A compassionate guide to the nitty gritty of ageing.
Altogether there’ll be about a dozen talks, in conversations, and panel discussions. Plus, icing on the cake, Lynne Franks OBE will be giving the opening keynote at 10.30am.
With scheduled breaks during the day, there’s an on-site café and an option to buy a ticket which includes lunch. Along with exhibitor stalls, Rose and Suzanne have organised for a stylist, photographer and activation photo booth at the event.
The event is from 10am-5pm at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 7AY.
Instagram: @advantagesofage
Cover Photo: Suzanne Noble and Rose Rouse
This article’s title words are from the song The Older I Get by Alan Jackson.
