Older residents living in Kensington and Chelsea will be taken on a council funded seaside trip which cost over £25,000 this bank holiday weekend to avoid the chaos and disruption caused by Notting Hill Carnival.
A group of 21 older residents who live directly on the Carnival route are being treated to a council-funded, free trip to Eastbourne.
The trip was offered to those living on the parade route, faced with financial barriers to getting away, and is funded by Kensington and Chelsea Council in partnership with Age UK.
The three-night seaside break will cost £25,618 and includes return coach travel, accommodation, insurance and support staff for 21 people who are most affected by Carnival.
Residents will return to North Kensington on Tuesday 26 August once council street-cleaning teams have restored the area to normal following Carnival.
The council funding for this trip comes after Kensington and Chelsea provided an additional grant of £232,000 to Carnival organisers, following a safety review of the event supported by the Metropolitan police, which revealed additional funding was needed to run the event safely this year.
Kensington and Chelsea councillor Kim Taylor Smith, Lead Member for Culture, said: “Carnival is a wonderful celebration enjoyed by so many people, but we know that the sights, sounds and crowds are not for everyone.
“This trip offers a bit of calm for some of our older residents who would prefer not to be at the heart of the action. It’s just one of the ways we support our residents and support Carnival.”
Tasio Cabello, Head of Community Engagement at Age UK Kensington and Chelsea, said: “Age UK Kensington & Chelsea is proud to once again be partnering with Kensington and Chelsea Council to organise a special outing to provide a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the Notting Hill Carnival during the August Bank Holiday weekend.”
