Could Your Business Help Support One of Bedfordshire’s Most Valued Community Events?

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire is currently seeking local business sponsors and community partners for the Festival for Older People 2026, due to be held on 2^nd October 2026 at The Rufus Centre in Flitwick.

Now in its 13th year, the Festival has become one of the largest and most well-established events celebrating older people across Bedfordshire. The event brings together hundreds of older residents, carers, families, health and care organisations, charities, volunteers, and local businesses for a day focused on wellbeing, inclusion, community connection, and support.

The 2025 Festival welcomed over 400 visitors from across Central Bedfordshire and neighbouring areas, alongside more than 47 organisations providing information, advice, health checks, wellbeing activities, entertainment, and community services. Take a look at our video from the event: https://youtu.be/jDdI2Scvk0o

As demand for the Festival continues to grow, sponsorship support is now more important than ever. Rising event costs mean that external funding and business sponsorship are essential to help keep the Festival free, accessible, and inclusive for local older residents.

Supporting the Festival offers businesses a valuable opportunity to:

demonstrate commitment to the local community
support older and vulnerable residents
raise brand awareness with hundreds of attendees and partner organisations
gain positive publicity across social media, printed materials, and event promotion
strengthen local corporate social responsibility activity
align with a respected and much-loved community event

Sponsorship contributions help fund:

venue and accessibility costs
transport for vulnerable attendees
wellbeing and preventative health activities
community engagement and entertainment
event promotion and resources

The Festival for Older People is more than just an event, it helps reduce loneliness and isolation, improves access to support and health information, and creates meaningful community connections for older people across Bedfordshire.

If your business would be interested in becoming a sponsor or community partner for the Festival for Older People 2026, we would love to hear from you.