An event celebrating older people in York returns to the city next month – bringing ballet, art workshops and more.

The International Day of Older People celebrations, led by the York Older People’s Assembly, take place from Tuesday, September 24, to Wednesday, October 2.

A range of activities are on offer on Saturday, September 28, which is when York is celebrating the United Nations designated international day to raise awareness of opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations.

On September 28 there will be ballet performance by the Jorvik Silver Swans at York Theatre Royal.

The same day, there will be art workshops at York Art Gallery.

Parkinson’s Creatives has crafted charming paper and plastic butterflies from found materials - butterflies signifying the theme of evolution. These will be displayed at York Theatre Royal.

Meanwhile, the festival will also see an art installation of giant flowers with eco-butterflies parade through Museum Gardens and be on display in St Helen’s Square.

Jim Cannon, chair of the York Older People’s Assembly, said the group “welcomes the opportunity to show the good folk of York the ways in which older people contribute to everyday life, through their voluntary activities, offering support to others while also enjoying themselves and looking after each other in old age”.

Professor Dianne Willcocks, the festival’s convener, added that the event is a “great example of what older people contribute to civic life, creativity and having fun and is something we want to put centre stage”.

For more information, visit: https://www.yorkassembly.org.uk/idop/