The local community gather with the Chelsea Pensioners at the Soane Stable Yard

Community Engagement

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Community Engagement

Our Vision for Community Engagement 

Here at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, our varied Community Engagement programme is underpinned by our values of nurturing belonging, championing respect, encouraging pride and supporting older people to enjoy life. 

Through creative programming and partnership working, we are connecting local audiences of all ages with the heritage and history of the Chelsea Pensioners and the Royal Hospital Chelsea. As a result, we hope to support the wellbeing of both our local community, and our resident veterans.

Regular Events

We host weekly Wellbeing Tuesday sessions for older isolated adults, people living with dementia and their carers and loved ones in the Soane Stable Yard Activity Room. Sessions are focused on bringing locals together with Chelsea Pensioners to have fun and connect. 

We are also open to organising more private sessions for community groups serving older adults, young people living locally in areas of social deprivation, and military families. 

To register interest and book your space for any of our Tuesday Wellbeing sessions, or to enquire about working in partnership with us on our community programme:

Email: CommunityEngagement@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk
Phone: 07583 695 301

A group of people hold various mugs and cups full of tea and coffee in a collective "cheers" - beneath the cups is a wooden table with saucers, spoons and various pastries strewn about it.

Community Event: Coffee Morning

Tue 18th Aug 2026 10.00am - Tue 16th Feb 2027 12.00pm
Location: National Army Museum Entrance (May's coffee morning only)

Get to know your neighbours and the Chelsea Pensioners over a cuppa at our monthly free coffee morning. Play games, discuss current affairs or our unique art and history collection, reminisce or simply meet new people, all in the historic setting of the Royal Hospital's Soane Stable Yard.

Aerial photograph of The Royal Hospital Chelsea and its grounds

Community Event: dementia-inclusive relaxed sensory session

Tue 25th Aug 2026 10.30am - Tue 23rd Feb 2027 12.00pm
Location: Soane Stable Yard Activity Room, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Experience the 330-year-old buildings of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in a totally new way. Each month we will host a relaxed, sensory session. Smell the aromas of the delicious food served in the Great Hall, hear beautiful organ music in the Wren Chapel, or take in the stunning Christopher Wren architecture. 

Chelsea Pensioner Singers

Community Event: Dementia-Inclusive Singing Sessions

Tue 8th Sep 2026 10.00am - Sun 17th Jan 2027 11.30am
Location: Soane Stable Yard Activity Room, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Our monthly dementia-inclusive singing group provides an opportunity for local older people and those affected by dementia to come together, have fun and improve their wellbeing. Enjoy a good, hearty singing session and exercise your mind and soul. And don’t worry if you think you can’t sing - it's all about enjoying yourself! 

Children, families and the local community gather with Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital's Prince Philip Activity Centre

Our Audiences 

Our current community engagement work is made possible through the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are currently able to work with the following key audiences:

  • Care homes or community groups within the M25 which support veterans, older people and/or individuals living with dementia or other cognitive decline, alongside their families, friends, carers and loved ones. 
  • Community or schools supporting children and young people who are living in areas of social deprivation across the London Boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham
  • Children within the Armed Forces family, including Army cadets and children from military families

Future work 

If your organisation or community group are interested in working in partnership with the Royal Hospital Chelsea now or in the future, please contact us. 

Email: CommunityEngagement@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk

Phone: 07583 695 301

For guided tours of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, visit our tours page.  

Made possible with Heritage Fund (Small)