East End Tea Dance celebrates 20 years of bringing older communities together

First launched two decades ago and organised by East End Community Foundation (EECF), the Tea Dance has become a firm fixture in the local calendar. Each year, it brings older people together from Tower Hamlets and neighbouring boroughs to enjoy live music, refreshments and good company, creating a welcoming space where older residents can connect with others and feel part of their community.

Carol, a Tea Dance guest who has been attending the event for over a decade, said:

“I’ve been coming to the Tea Dance for more than ten years and it’s one of the highlights of my year. It’s not just about the dancing, it’s about seeing friends, meeting new people and feeling part of something special. The atmosphere is always wonderful, and everyone leaves with a smile.”

The event plays an important role in helping to reduce social isolation among pensioners – an issue that remains a significant challenge across East London. Pensioner poverty in the East End is 26% higher than the UK average, yet vital financial support such as pension credit continues to go unclaimed. In 2020/21 alone, it was estimated that over £32 million in pension credit was not accessed across Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and the City of London.

Many older people are unaware of what support they are entitled to, find application processes difficult to navigate, or are unsure what information is needed. Through its Life Chances campaign, EECF is working to change this – helping ensure that more older residents can access the support available to them. The Tea Dance is one part of this wider work, creating opportunities for connection while raising awareness of the challenges many pensioners face.

This year’s special Easter-themed celebration brought together not only residents, but also volunteers from businesses across London and the East End. Teams from BCLP, BPL, Dentons, Sucden Financial, Canary Wharf Group, Northern Trust, Pool Re, Rothesay and HSBC gave their time to help host the event, serve refreshments and chat with guests, contributing to the warm and inclusive atmosphere the Tea Dance is known for.

John Scotchmer, COO at Sucden Financial said: “This is the second Tea Dance I’ve attended, and as someone who grew up in Tower Hamlets, I know it’s just such a great day for the residents. It’s good to see people enjoying themselves and for us to give back to the community in this way – it’s such a rewarding event.”

Over the past 20 years, the Tea Dance has grown from a small local gathering into a flagship community event – a reflection of EECF’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of older residents and strengthening connections across East London.

Tracey Betts, Chief Executive of East End Community Foundation, said: “For twenty years, our Tea Dance has been a wonderful celebration of community, friendship and joy. It is always incredibly special to see older residents come together to dance, laugh and reconnect with friends old and new. Events like this remind us that strong communities are built through shared moments and lasting relationships. We are proud that the Tea Dance has become such a cherished tradition for so many people across East London.”