Older people in south London will have the chance to get active, meet new people and boost their mental and physical health – thanks to new funding for a Peckham-based community centre.

The Copleston Centre’s older people’s programme offers a diverse range of activities including yoga, tai chi, Caribbean dance-fitness sessions, creative writing classes and walks.

The programme is aimed at people over 65 and attracts participants from across Peckham, East Dulwich and Camberwell to the centre in Copleston Road, but welcomes people from other age groups to join in.

Its future has been secured for two years thanks to a £119,000 grant from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder.

City Bridge Trust Chairman Giles Shilson said:

“For more than 40 years, the Copleston Centre has been a thriving community hub bringing people together and building a sense of community.

“This funding will allow the centre to tackle isolation and to help even more older people make friends, try something new and boost their confidence and self-esteem.”

The Copleston Centre, which shares a site with the church of the same name, is a base for services including Cubs, Scouts and Beavers, counselling and support for refugees and asylum seekers.

Copleston Centre Vision and Development Manager Julia Honess said:

“This part of London has changed enormously since the centre was founded and continues to change, so it’s important we're able to offer a well-established, well-connected and familiar place where people can come together.

“The older people’s programme offers the chance to meet other people, take part in a wide range of culturally diverse activities, improve health and wellbeing and come together in familiar community space.”

More information about the Copleston Centre is online at www.coplestoncentre.org.uk

The City of London Corporation’s charity funder, City Bridge Trust, is London’s biggest independent grant giver, awarding grants of over £28 million a year to tackle disadvantage across the capital – www.citybridgetrust.org.uk

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK –  www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The City Corporation is the sole trustee of Bridge Houses Estates, a charity founded in 1097 to maintain London Bridge, and Members of its Court of Common Council form the Bridge House Estates Board.

Bridge House Estates is now responsible for maintaining Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium and Blackfriars Bridges, and its grants team, City Bridge Trust – founded in 1995 – awards over £28 million a year to good causes across the capital – www.citybridgetrust.org.uk