In February 2011,
The Second Half of Your Life, a groundbreaking book that inspires women to rethink what it means to grow older was published by Penguin/Random House. Using the hormonal changes that occur around menopause as a springboard to transition from a woman's reproductive years to her self-productive years, it launched Jill into a journey to create The Second Half Foundation. All sales from this book go to fund The Second Half Foundation.
The Second Half Foundation (Reg. 1141988) was created in May 2011 with the mission of tackling loneliness and isolation for any person over the age of 50 years old. We wish to serve anyone affected by isolation from any background. We want to ensure that our growing population will have a place to develop more meaningful connections and continue to learn and grow.
In October 2012, The Second Half Centre opened its doors to the community in the NHS St Charles for Health and Wellbeing in North Kensington, London. The Second Half Centre has over 4000 members, 500 attendees each week and provides 90 hours of classes and workshops weekly and is run by Open Age.
On October 2nd 2016, The Second Half Centre, Diocese of London, Diocese of Middlesex, Open Age, Barclays Digital Eagles, City Harvest and Pret a Manger have piloted a new programme in London that goes to the heart of tackling the devastating effects of isolation in our older population. The Church of England are taking a lead role helping to create new church communities where churches become hubs of the community on days not of worship and promote active ageing.
Second Half Clubs launched in two local Churches in Westminster in November 2016: St Stephens on Rochester Row, SW1P 1LE and St Paul's on 5 Rossmore Road, NW1 6NJ where people can come together as a group to enjoy group activities and give purpose to enrich their lives of their community. Rediscovering the pleasures of old hobbies and finding new ones, excercising, feeling involved through volunteering, mentoring and teaching, making new friends, learning how to use iPads, staying connected to family friends and their community as well as learning new skills will be the mission of Second Half Clubs. Two more have launched in Janaury 2019: St Andrews Church on Greyhound Road and St Mary's The Bolton in Kensington. Our fifth church All Saints Fulham will be launching after Easter 2019.
The Second Half Foundation was created and founded by
Lady Jill Shaw Ruddock CBE.
Please click on this
link to see The Church of England’s post on
Second Half Clubs and the wonderful work being done with our partners
The Diocese of London, Open Age, Barclays Bank: Digital Eagles and The Second Half Foundation to help make churches hubs of the community on days not of worship.
The Second Half Foundation, Registered Charity Number 1141988
Dear Friends and Supporters of The Second Half Foundation ,
The Second Half Centre and The Second Half Art Exhibition
The 2024 Exhibition has now come to a close. Our
artists were amazing and the turnout was excellent. And thanks to your support,
it was our best year ever by far. I wish I could sit back but we
cant.
We still have further money to raise to make up for
the shortfalls in council funding, facing adult social care services. As
we are all living longer, costs will continue to go up and communities are
becoming more and more dependent on the private sector to meet the needs that
government can’t. The Second Half Centre is a place where older
people feel involved in a dedicated space, make new friends, bridge the digital
divide, learn new skills rediscover old hobbies and find new ones, exercise and
so much more. Now more than ever, we must work together to ensure that the
Second Half Centre stays a hub of this community.
If you weren’t able to come to the opening party or the
breakfast the following morning, I would so appreciate your support now.
Any donation would be so welcomed. I know how incredible our
community is. We do need to raise an additional 25,000 pounds. Every
donation is important. I am including our new JustGiving page created
yesterday, a quick and easy way to donate.
Here’s our JustGiving link:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/jill-shaw-ruddock-1711025737338
If you would prefer to make a bank transfer the Donation
form is attached. Please pass this along to your friends who you invited
but couldn’t come who may want to support.
Thank you again for supporting.
Love
Jill
P.S A few photos from the opening and the breakfast.
Founder
and Chairman Lady Jill Shaw Ruddock CBE speaking of the importance of the Second Half Centre, successful ageing and tackling social at the Second
Half Centre.
Opening Night.
Andrew Nairne OBE , Director of Kettles Yard Cambridge, officially opening the 2024 SH Art Exhibition.
Natalie Melton, Director of The Crafts Council speaking
about Why Craft Matters.
It’s a wrap!!
Posted in:
