Orchard Square Celebrates International Day of Older Persons with b:friend, more info!

A day of music, dance, treats & community spirit in the Square to support their Charity of the Year

Orchard Square is to mark International Day of Older Persons Day on Thursday 1st October with a full day of celebrations in partnership with b:friend, the local charity dedicated to tackling loneliness among older people, which Orchard Square is proud to support as its Charity of the Year.

From live music and dancing to charity treats and in-store surprises, Orchard Square vendors and community groups across the Square will be coming together to celebrate connection, friendship and the contribution older people make to Sheffield life, while raising vital funds and awareness for b:friend’s work pairing isolated older neighbours with volunteer befrienders.

Commenting on the initiative, Orchard Square manager, Shay Murray said: “International Older Persons Day is the perfect moment to bring our community together and shine a light on the incredible work b:friend does across Sheffield.

“As our Charity of the Year, we wanted to give b:friend a stage the whole city can enjoy, through music, dance, a bit of fun, and the generosity of our fabulous tenant line up.”

Colette Bunker, CEO of b: friend, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Orchard Square and the generous vendors for the event. It will be a fun-filled day bringing people of all ages together to raise awareness of our cause.

“Come along and chat to the b:friend team about our work, or try something new in a friendly environment. Everyone joining us will help our fight to end loneliness in our communities.”

Visitors to the Square on International Old Person’s Day can expect:

· Extra in-store assistance, with badge-wearing colleagues on hand to help guide customers around the store at TK Maxx

· Copies of the b:friend book available in store at Waterstones

· Sampling ‘b:friend beer’, a specially created non-alcoholic brew showing that you don’t need alcohol to socialise at Old Shoe

· A specially created b:friend cocktail (cash only), with all proceeds going straight to the charity at Terrace Goods

· A b:friend exhibition, sharing the charity’s story and impact at Metro Bank

· A QR code by the pumps inviting visitors to donate to b:friend at the Museum Pub.

Also, on the day there will be:

· A charity raffle with all proceeds supporting b:friend

· A ticketed printed workshop held by Printed by Us between 12pm-2pm

· And live entertainment in the Square, to include:

– 11:45am – 12:15pm — Singing in Hillsborough Choir

– 12:00pm — Sheffield Plate Line Dancing

– 2:00pm – 3:00pm — Sheffield University Brass Band

– Pre-lunch — Sheffield Latin and Ballroom Dancing Society

…plus, many more surprises to be announced on the day!

Earlier this summer, Orchard Square welcomed the b:friend ‘Chatty Bench’. The bench, which is painted in the b: friend colours, invites people to stop and start a conversation, with

messaging encouraging visitors to ‘Have a seat and have a chat’ while also offering information for anyone interested in volunteering or donating.