Older residents living near the Notting Hill Carnival route are being offered a long weekend away in Eastbourne by the council.
Kensington and Chelsea council said places are still available for the three-day break as Europe’s biggest street festival comes back over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Residents will be coached down to a hotel in the East Sussex town on Saturday, August 26, and brought back on Tuesday, August 29 – when the Carnival and subsequent clean-up is expected to be over.
Thousands of revellers are set to return to Notting Hill to celebrate Caribbean culture from Saturday August 26 to Monday 28.
The event takes place across Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Grove, Westbourne Park and Kensal Road.
The getaway has been organised by charity Age UK and is being funded by the council.
The council’s lead member for culture, Emma Will, said: “The Carnival brings together people from all places to enjoy and celebrate the rich culture and diversity in the borough and we’re happy to support the event, but we also respect that the noise and crowds are not for everybody.
“We are once again proud to be working with Age UK to organise a trip for our older residents, so they enjoy a break at the seaside over the bank holiday weekend.”
The scheme has been running for over 20 years.
Last year, mental health charity Hestia joined forces with the council to arrange alternative events for elderly and vulnerable residents during the bank holiday weekend.
The council is also preparing residents and visitors for Carnival with booklets, a dedicated phone line that will be open over the weekend and a hub of information that covers everything from road closures to free basement cleaning for properties affected by carnival.
The council said anyone living ‘within the Carnival footprint’ and who is over 65 and is severely affected by the festival is eligible for a spot.
Priority will be given to residents who have not been on the trip before and are willing to share a room.
Consideration will also be given to those whose health may be affected by the noise and crowds of Carnival.
Residents are being urged to call Aged UK before Friday, July 21, to book a spot.
So far, the council has said it has granted licences for over 250 food stalls and 38 live sound systems to accompany what is expected to be 100 live stage acts this year.
There will be at least 1,000 compostable toilets and the council is expecting to collect some 300 tonnes of waste and is teaming up with partners to clean Nos Cannisters daily.
To apply for a place and enquire about eligibility phone Age UK on 020 9105. The closing date for applications is Friday 21 July 2023. Places are limited.
