Festive celebration for older people
Community groups, care homes groups, and elders are warmly invited to visit the Soane Stable Yard for a selection of dementia-inclusive festive wellbeing activities.
Date: Tuesday 15 December 2026
Time: 10:00 - 15:30
Duration: 7.5 hours
Location: Soane Stable Yard - enter via Chelsea Gate
Designed to celebrate community, support social inclusion and maintain health & wellbeing, we welcome you to take part in sensory experiences, enjoy musical performances and connect with each other and the Chelsea Pensioners. This event is dementia inclusive and carer givers and loved ones are also welcome.
Spaces are limited. To help us plan the day, please book your free place by contacting our Community Engagement & Outreach Manager. Email communityengagement@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk or call 07583695301.
This event is part of the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s weekly Tuesday Wellbeing programme, generously supported by the EBM Charitable Trust.
Activities
The activities on offer on the day can be found below:
10:30 - 10:35: Welcome Address in the Courtyard
10:30 - 15:30 drop-in: Self-guided visit to the Chelsea Pensioner's Exhibition
- Discover 300 years of history by visiting the Chelsea Pensioner’s exhibition, open to all throughout the day.
10.35 - 11.25 drop-in: The historic art of letterlocking in the Activity Room
- Join us for this drop-in workshop with Eleanor Howe as she guides you through the historic practice of letter folding to create a secret paper lock. Transport yourself back to childhood and write a secret letter to Father Christmas.
10.35 - 11.30 drop-in: Festive Sensory Crafts in the Gallery
- What does winter smell like? Capture the essence of the festive season by creating a pomander to take home.
10.45 - 11.15: Visit the Great Hall & Wren Chapel - meet in the Courtyard at starting time
- Wander through the main historic Royal Hospital buildings on this gentle walk as we visit the beautiful Great Hall and Wren Chapel decorated for Christmas.
- Max 20 people
11.00 - 11.30 drop-in: Chelsea Pensioner Singing Group performance in the Courtyard
- Enjoy a rousing festive performance by our very own scarlet singing group.
11.30 - 12.00: Performances in the Courtyard
12.00 - 14.00 Drop-in: Age UK Kensington & Chelsea mini "Disco in the museum" in the Gallery
- Have a 10-minute boogie to your favourite tunes to get the blood flowing.
13.30 - 14.15: Visit the Great Hall & Wren Chapel - meet in the Courtyard at starting time
- Wander through the main historic Royal Hospital buildings on this gentle walk as we visit the beautiful Great Hall and Wren Chapel decorated for Christmas.
- Max 20 people
14.30 - 15.15: Seated Movement to Music - Meet in the Activity Room at starting time
- Inspired by The Nutcracker, join former English National ballet dancer Alice Crawford to try your hand at some ballet moves in this gentle seated movement class, part of our regular programme sponsored by Draycott Nursing & Care
15.00 - 15.30 Drop-in: Chelsea Pensioner Singing Group performance in the Courtyard
- Finish the day by singing along to your favourite festive songs led by the Chelsea Pensioner Singers, wearing their wintry scarlet tunics.