Elderly residents in Notting Hill are being offered a seaside escape from the hustle and bustle of the area’s famous carnival in August.
The three-night getaway in Eastbourne is provided by Kensington and Chelsea Council and includes a return coach-trip and hotel stay in the seaside town between 26-29 August.
The scheme is open to residents living along the main route of Notting Hill Carnival, which sees over a million people from around the world gather in the inner-London borough to celebrate Caribbean culture.
Kensington and Chelsea Council’s Lead Member for Culture, Leisure and Community Safety, Emma Will said: “The carnival brings together people from all places to enjoy and celebrate the rich culture and diversity in the borough and we’re happy to support the event, but we also respect that the noise and crowds are not for everybody.”
Spaces are limited, and those whose health may suffer due to the disruption will be prioritised along with residents who have not previously benefitted from the scheme, which has been running for more than 20 years.
Age UK Kensington and Chelsea’s Head of Community Engagement, Tasio Cabello explained that the street celebrations can have a negative impact on wellbeing, causing anxiety for older people who fear they will be unable to access help in case of an emergency.
Cabello leads on the scheme for Age UK, which is commissioned by the local authority to deliver the trip, and says he has received positive feedback from residents who have been relieved to escape the noisy crowds in previous years.
He said: “Many of the older residents who live right on the route of the carnival get trapped in their houses for three days, unable to go out to do their shopping, go to the GP or simply pop out for a walk.
“Many of them will have massive sound systems right at their doors and the noise can be unbearable.”
The static ‘sound systems’ – large custom speakers manned by teams of DJs and MCs playing unique sounds – are an iconic part of Notting Hill Carnival, which has been running since 1966.
The three-day long event also hosts live performances, and the UK National Panorama Steelband Competition is confirmed to be returning, with further performers yet to be announced.
Event organiser Notting Hill Carnival Ltd claims to work closely with the community and has invited residents to share concerns at a pre-Carnival meeting at 7pm on Monday 17 July at The Tabernacle in Powis Square.
The council will also open a dedicated phone line for the duration of the festivities, and has prepared booklets and an information hub to help residents cope with disruption.
For older residents who want to stick around and join in with the festivities in a more accessible way, Age UK will be throwing parties at North Kensington’s Venture Community Centre and the Chelsea Theatre a week ahead of the Carnival.
To apply for a slot or enquire about eligibility for the Eastbourne trip, Contact Age UK on 020 8969 9105 before Friday 21 July.
