Sixty5+
Free therapies for people of 65 plus with life-limiting health issues or struggling with social isolation
supported by
What is Sixty5+?
Sixty5+ was a Unity Centre initiative running for six months from May to October 2022, providing free therapeutic support sessions to older people with life-limiting health issues or are struggling with social isolation (or both).
Thanks to funding from the Sussex Community Foundation, Sixty5+ supported the needs of people aged 65 and above who were experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue or isolation because of mental health, physical health or mobility conditions. This support came in two forms:
- regular live interactive, therapeutic music sessions bringing fun to small groups
- one-to-one therapy sessions
In some circumstances we were also able to help attendees with their transport costs when attending sessions.
Please read on for more details of the music sessions, the one-to-one sessions and help with travel.
Sixty5+ is kindly funded by the Sussex Community Foundation, with heartfelt thanks from all of us.
Sixty5+
Music therapy
Sixty5+ music
For six months, starting 31 May 2022, we offered fortnightly free live music sessions at The Unity Centre in the heart of Lewes, East Sussex. Sixty5+ clients were welcome to attend regularly, once signed up.
The music was performed by Keith Ellis and colleagues from Movingsounds. As specialised dementia-trained facilitators, the musicians of Movingsounds have been working in Memory Cafes, Community Centres and Care Homes since 2016. Have a look at their website to learn more about them and their work: https://www.
Dates of sessions
The Sixty5+ music sessions were held on Tuesdays at 1.30–2.30pm, from May to October 2022:
| May | June | July |
|---|---|---|
| 31st | 14th | 12th |
| 28th | 26th | |
| August | September | October |
| 9th | 6th | 4th |
| 23rd | 20th |
“A huge thank you to The Unity Centre, Keith and Mike for an uplifting and joyful session for us all yesterday. The music and movement session was great fun and most enjoyable.” – A lovely client
“Movingsounds have made serious differences to the quality of life of the people I work with every day.” – Care-home manager
One-to-one therapy sessions
We offer a choice of four different, free therapeutic support sessions. These personal, one-to-one sessions are held at the Unity Centre.
Choice of sessions
- Yoga and breathwork
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Art therapy
Dates and times
We can arrange dates and times of therapy appointments when discussing your requirements with you.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Please note that this project finished in October 2022.
Art therapy
The Unity Centre, Lewes
Support with coming to the Centre
Help with the cost of transport to and from the Unity Centre, to attend sessions, may be available. This may include a carer where appropriate. Funding is limited, so it will largely be provided on a first come, first served basis.
When completing the application form, please tick the relevant box if help with transport costs is needed.
Access to the Centre
At The Unity Centre we’re committed to accessibility. Although our beautiful Victorian architecture has given us steps for our main entrance, we have a second entrance that we’ve made accessible and wheelchair friendly. It’s step-free and extra wide. Inside, everything’s on the ground floor, there are no steps and we have a large, accessible and wheelchair-friendly bathroom/toilet.
We also have a single disabled parking bay, right next to our accessible entrance. As we have just the one, we ask you please to call our friendly reception and reserve it, to avoid being disappointed when you arrive. Please also let us know if you’d like someone to help you when you arrive. Our phone number is 01273 778400.
If you’d like to know more about getting to the Centre, there’s additional travel information here.
How do I apply (or refer someone) to Sixty5+?
You can use the form below to apply in complete confidence – on your own behalf or to refer someone else with their permission. If you would prefer not to give all your details here, please just provide a first name and phone number and we’ll call you back within a week (sometimes sooner).
Applications closed
Sorry – we were inundated with applications at the time and the project finished in October 2022.