The retro club night for over 50s tackling loneliness with love and togetherness

Hosted at Manchester’s Matt & Phreds, My Generation Club Nights is a retro disco aimed at people aged 50 and over.

The idea came from Mancunian Joyce Gill who loved to go out but didn’t feel that the city was meeting her needs and those like her, who still wanted to experience a club night.

Joyce felt that there were few venues where someone in their 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s could go and dance in Manchester city centre. She recognised that even if the venues existed there would probably be other barriers that might prevent older people from clubbing in the city centre.

The first event was held at Band on the Wall thirteen years ago and it is still popular taking place approximately every three months on a Sunday night but has since moved venue to Matt & Phreds with a DJ and live performers.

The Engagement Officer at Band on the Wall put her in contact with Tracey Annette at the the Valuing Older People Team (now Age Friendly Manchester team) and the “My Generation Over 50s Club Night” project was born.

“I set up My Generation club nights 12 years ago when I worked in the Age Friendly Manchester team at Manchester City Council,” said Tracey, who was tired of the same old boring public health messages.

“I was involved in a programme of work looking at health and older people and, at the time, there was a big spotlight on loneliness in later life and just how damaging this emotion could be.

“I was also struggling in my own mind with the ‘health’ messages shared by Public Health and the NHS that always seemed (and still do) to be telling people what to do, how to live and what not to do – ‘eat this, don’t drink that, do less of that and more of this’ – however, advice is one thing, being lectured is another.

She had a positive revelation: “Seeking a pathway to happiness felt like it ought to be the promotional message. I had so many conversations with older people that started with ‘oh I remember when….’ and people loved reminiscing about good times they’d had.

“The club nights give people, who loved dancing and live music that chance to experience it all again in a real club venue. And the people who come love it.

“We’re spreading love and have helped quite a few get on that road to happiness.

“We love seeing new faces. It’s such a friendly atmosphere and it goes without saying EVERYONE is welcome at our nights.”

News travels fast. Recently, news of the club nights reached Paris as there is nothing similar in France for older people and in March 2023 an article featuring interviews with a number of regulars featured in a French magazine.

Get on board the Love Train, it’s a One Way Ticket to Funky Town… Expect music from The O’Jays, Tavares, Trammps, Anita Ward, Candi Staton and more. Its going to be a Disco Inferno with a mixture of other sounds from across the decades covering Soul and Motown – An evening fronted by the fantastic Manchester DJ Jeff Dunning and a spectacular live performance from A-Kay!

My Generation’s guests can expect a relaxed friendly atmosphere where regular clubbers welcome new faces and friends. It’s not about how you look, dress up, dress down, it’s up to you. It’s all about the atmosphere, the socialising, the music and the dancing.

Tickets for My Generation

The next event is on Sunday, 24 March 2024 from 7pm with music from established Soul & Motown entertainer A-Kay.

Doors open and DJ starts at 7pm, act comes on at 8:15 straddled by Happy Hour 7-9pm with free pizza deals.

Seated tickets are £10 per person and standing is £5pp

Visit this website to buy tickets.

Support for people aged 50 and over

If you’re 50 years or over, Working Well: Support to Succeed will support you in gaining work, retirement planning, improving confidence and healthy lifestyles.

They offer tailored, one-to-one support based around your individual needs; dedicated advisor to support you every step of the way; careers advice and support such as helping with writing your CV
and preparing you for interviews; opportunities to gain new skills and work experience, working with specialist services to help you overcome any barriers preventing you from achieving your ambitions.

The benefits include improved skills and knowledge, increased confidence and self-esteem, access to specialist support, and even potential of increased financial circumstances upon finding work.

Visit their website for more information.

Get involved with Age Friendly Manchester

Established in 2004, the Age Friendly Manchester Older People’s Board is the city’s main consultative group of older people, meeting every eight weeks and providing a critical voice for the Age-Friendly Manchester programme. There are around 15 members, aged over 50, drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, neighbourhoods and organisations. As well as elected members the Board has co-opted members from the LGBT community, Manchester BME network, Carers Forum, TUC Pensioners, Good Neighbours Groups and Wai Yin. It also has political leadership in the form of two Elected Councillors who hold non-voting positions. More information here