The AFRN is an informal peer network for voluntary and community groups and organisations that support over 55s in Rother.
The network began in April 2026 and is scheduled to run until March 2028.
The network involves
– quarterly in-person meetings (dates and locations tbc)
– monthly online (teams) catch-ups
– newsletters and occasional update emails
There is no obligation to attend all the meetings.
Live Well, Age Well Fair
This community event will bring together organisations that help people live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives as they grow older in Rother.. It’s free and open to all.
Organised by Dr Kieran Mullan MP, with support from Rother District Council and Rother Voluntary Action.
Date: 30 September 2026, 11 to 3pm
Venue: De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea
Closing date for sign up is 7th August
For more details and to apply to have a stall click here
Intergenerational Grants Programme
Rother District Council have launched an Intergenerational Grants programme designed to support local organisations to bring people of different ages together through shared activities.
Applications for this round close 31 July 2026
Applications for the Warm Welcome Champions Programme are open
Local Warm Welcome Spaces are invited to take part.
The Programme provides shared learning opportunities with other spaces across the UK.
The 9-month programme runs from October 2026 to June 2027. and will support 75 selected Warm Welcome Spaces in continuing to learn, partner, and develop to be the best they can be.
AFRN Meetings
In-person meetings
- Tuesday 8th December, 10am-12pm, venue tbc
- Topic tbc
- Wednesday 2nd September 2026, 10am-12pm, St Peter’s Church, Braodway, Fairlight TN35 4DA
- Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly villages
- Tuesday 16th June 2026, 10am-12noon, Bexhill Town Hall (see notes)
- Getting started with the Age-Friendly Rother Network
Monthly online catch-ups (on Teams)
Meeting link is emailed to all AFRN subscribers the day before each meeting.
- Thursday 3rd December 2026, 3-4pm
- Thursday 5th November 2026, 3-4pm
- Thursday 8th October 2026, 3-4pm
- A look at the Age-Friendly Rother strategy with Stuart Ramsbottom, Rother District Council
- Thursday 6th August 2026, 3-4pm
- Loneliness and befriending with Just Friends and Age UK
- Thursday 2nd July 2026, 3-4pm (see notes)
- Exploring the role of the Age-Friendly Rother Network
Some organisations that subscribe to the AFRN
The Age-Friendly Rother network is coordinated by Rother Voluntary Action on behalf of Rother District Council who are leading the wider Age Friendly Rother programme. This is supported by funding from East Sussex County Council Public Health department.
