Sharing our heart for older people at the Church Resources Exhibition (CRE)

The team were delighted to attend the Church Resources Exhibition (CRE) 2026 from the 14th-15th October, where we had the opportunity to share our resources and talk with people passionate about supporting older people in their churches and communities.

It was a wonderful day filled with friendly conversations, familiar faces and new connections. From meeting people who were discovering our work for the first time to catching up with supporters and former colleagues, the exhibition was a valuable opportunity to share our heart for older people and the difference that Christian care can make.

One of the most encouraging things about the day was hearing from so many people who were looking for practical ways to support older members of their churches or relatives living with dementia. Many visitors came to our stand hoping to find helpful resources that would enable them to offer understanding, encouragement and meaningful support.

Susan, 42, from Leicester, was among those who appreciated the work we do.

“It’s brilliant to see the work you’re doing. Churches really need resources like these to help us support older people well,” she said.

Another visitor, Joe, 60, from Guildford, spoke about the importance of ensuring older people feel valued and supported within their church communities.

“We have older people in our church, and we want to make sure we’re doing all we can to support them. It’s so helpful to know these resources are available.”

It was also lovely to meet people who already knew about Pilgrims’ Friend Society through our September 2026 guest edition of Premier Christianity magazine. Some visitors were delighted to see us at the exhibition, recognising our name from the magazine and taking the opportunity to find out more about our work.

Christine, 51, from London, was one such visitor.

“I read your guest edition of Premier Christianity and was so pleased to see you here. It’s great to meet you in person and learn more about what you do.”

These conversations were a wonderful reminder that our message is reaching people and encouraging churches to think more intentionally about older members of their congregations. Whether visitors were looking for dementia resources, exploring ways to support older people or simply wanting to learn more about our organisation, each conversation offered an opportunity to encourage and equip them.

We came away from the Church Resources Exhibition encouraged by the interest in our work and thankful for everyone who stopped to talk with us. It was a joy to share our resources, hear people’s stories and be reminded of the difference churches can make when they care well for older people.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and supporting more churches as they seek to make later life a valued part of church life.