Remembrance Sunday – Honouring the people who sacrificed

What is Remembrance Sunday? Remembrance Sunday is an event held on the second Sunday of November every year, marked by a two minute silence at 11 am to commemorate those who have died in military conflicts since World War I.

It’s commonplace to see people walking around with a small poppy pinned to their chest/hat as a form of paying respects to those that have fallen. The sale of which funds the Royal British Legion, so that they can continue to support the British Armed Forces community. If you would like to make a donation to the Royal British Legion, you can do so by clicking this link.

Remembrance Sunday holds different meanings for us all. Whilst primarily it has a military focus, at its core, it’s time to reflect on the past and what we can learn from it. Our older generations possess a wealth of life experience and if you take the time to sit and listen, there’s always something you can learn.

Sharing memories about the past benefits everyone and is one of the reasons we are so successful as a species. By sharing memories, thoughts and experiences of times gone by we can pave the way for a different future.

Sitting and talking with older people has never been more important than it is now. Radfield carried out a survey of over 250 people over the age of 60 throughout the UK, almost half of all respondents (45%) said they had experienced significant feelings of loneliness during the pandemic and as a result, a further 4 in 10 had also experienced low mood, while 2 in 10 had struggled with anxiety and 1 in 10 had battled depression.

The benefits of sharing memories span all generations.

For older people

• It provides the feeling of invigoration, better general health and wellbeing.
• Being more up-to-date with trends.
• An increase in physical, mental and creative activity.
• Improvement in brain function.
• Feeling less isolated, empty or lonely.
• More opportunities for social inclusion.
• Rediscovering the joy of interacting with children of different ages.

For children and young people

• Learning values, norms and how to interact with older people from different backgrounds.
• Development of team working skills.
• The chance to discover that older people have been young once – and that they led interesting lives!
• Learning about the realities of the life cycle in a natural, non-school environment.

For both generations

• Richer everyday experiences.
• The chance to discover so much from each other.
• Learn new things and see the world from another perspective.
• Enjoy fun activities while interacting.
• Boost confidence, self-esteem and mood.
• Feel useful and valued, and enjoy a sense of achievement.
• Challenge preconceptions about the opposite generation and counteract negative stereotypes and behaviour.
• The ability to share cultural experiences.
• Increased understanding and respect.
• The opportunity to make new friends.

The wider benefits

• A better connection between generations helps to build bridges and close gaps.
• An improved social bond and solidarity between young and old.
• Can reduce levels of fear of crime through a better understanding of younger people.
• Provides excellent opportunities to pass on collective community and life memories to children.
• Leads to more people being active citizens in their community.
• Results in sharing of spaces, facilities and resources.
• Increased satisfaction with home and neighbourhood.

Remembrance Sunday events have traditionally been attended in person; large gatherings coming together to pay respects to the fallen.

If you need help or would like someone to accompany you outside to a local remembrance service, please let us know. Our Care Professionals are always on hand to get you dressed in something warm and comfortable and take you wherever you need to go.