Age UK Richmond Talk: Downsizing Your Home

A free talk about downsizing your home on 5 May at the Twickenham Wellbeing Centre, delivered by One Stop Organisers. 

Downsizing from a family home can be a major undertaking particularly when it has been lived in for many years. Working through rooms full of things accumulated over time and deciding what to keep takes effort and discipline. Moving to a smaller home helps you to evaluate your possessions, decide what really matters and also what will fit into - and suit - your next home.  For many, the decision to downsize to a smaller property is linked to a new chapter in life such as retirement or grown-up children leaving home. 

Some of the benefits of downsizing include: 

Financial freedom: Where there is no longer a need to run and maintain a larger home, monthly and capital expenses are reduced. Downsizing can unlock equity to invest or to enjoy. This might go into retirement savings giving peace of mind, or support a hobby or travel.  

More time and less clutter: A larger home requires more time and effort, from cleaning and maintenance to gardening. Downsizing can help free up time as well as reducing the physical demands of running a bigger property. 

Future proofing: As we age, our mobility and physical health can change. A smaller home often means fewer stairs, and there may well be a lift in purpose-built schemes. A smaller square footage means the layout will be more accessible. 

Reducing your carbon footprint: Downsizing doesn't just benefit you; it can also reduce your environmental footprint. Smaller homes typically consume less energy and require fewer resources to build and maintain. When you downsize, there may be the opportunity to make conscious choices about energy-efficient appliances and your energy supplier.  

Lock up and leave: Downsizing offers the freedom to embark on new adventures, travel and experiences as a smaller home and garden require less looking after. 

This talk is part of our free Peace of Mind Day.  There will be time to ask questions after the talk. The event is aimed for people over the age of 55 living in the borough of Richmond on Thames.  As well as listening to the free talks, attendees will also have time to speak with other local charities and organisations present on the day, offering advice and literature on later life planning.

This talk is free of charge but booking is essential. Please book your place, ideally online over the Yapsody ticketing platform, contact Jayne on 020 8538 9254 /email jayne.fanning@ageukrichmond.org.uk  or see staff at your social centre.

If this event sells out online, please join the Yapsody waiting list.