ITN newsreader Alastair Stewart joined Masterchef 2016 winner Jane Devonshire and district MP Damian Hinds at the opening of East Hampshire’s first ‘New Directions’ event for the over-50s.

Hosted by Mr Hinds at Alton College, the one-day event attracted an estimated 300 visitors keen to gather information and ideas for new employment, training and volunteering opportunities.

A valuable and growing part of the country’s workforce, many were looking for a ‘new and positive direction’ in their lives and, whether it be making money, expanding the mind or ‘giving something back’, there were plenty of well-informed and interesting people there to talk to about doing just that.

In his welcoming speech, Mr Hinds pointed out that on average people were living almost a decade longer than their grandparents and that, with more pressure on older people to stay longer in work and/or to remain active in retirement, many were looking for a new direction, which was also good for health and well-being.

“People in this age group often have a wealth of experience but may not know where to find the employers, training services or voluntary bodies that are able to help them put that experience to work.

“By bringing all of these local organisations together under one roof, I hope it makes it easier for people to find out about a wide range of opportunities, and possibly ones they may not have considered before.”

In thanking the exhibitors and the event organisers, Mr Hinds made special mention of Alton Town Council, East Hampshire District Council and, in particular, Alton College for hosting the event.

He went on to introduce Mr Stewart as “a great supporter of local community and charitable organisations, and of Alton College”.

At the age of 64 and still working in television, Mr Stewart felt well qualified to take on the job of opening the New Directions event which he described as “positivism for the over-50s”. Having had a son find his direction while attending Alton College, Mr Stewart believed that it was the perfect place to hold such an event.

And he was fully sold on the idea of older people continuing to take an active role in society.

As a student he had attended Bristol University which, he said, had “a fabulous reputation for mature students”, bringing the added benefit of opening the mind to a wider range of views.

“I found out that as young people we didn’t know everything and that older people had valuable experience and life skills,” he said. “Also that things don’t stop at various points in your life.”

It was Labour politician Charles Clarke, he said, who he remembers for stressing the importance of continuing education into old age – of keeping the mind active while taking the opportunity to experience other walks of life.

“Life doesn’t suddenly stop at 50 – the over-50s still have a great deal to give,” said Mr Stewart, who gave as an example his father who had retired from the armed forces at 55 and then spent many years putting his energy into local government.

In describing the New Directions event as akin to an “Alton College supermarket sweep”, he encouraged folk to make the most of the opportunity to research employment, education, retraining and volunteering opportunities and to “go into it with an open mind”.

Following Mr Stewart’s introduction, visitors flocked to the theatre area to listen to Jane Devonshire, winner of Masterchef 2016 and the first in a comprehensive list of speakers, tell of her own life experiences. Other speakers included Reverend Rachel Sturt, Judith Moule of Aspiral Learning, Richard Nash of Tactical Solutions, Shalani Leeson of Brendoncare, and David Sinclair of Hampshire Constabulary.

In addition, visitors were able to talk to exhibitors in the employment hall, as well as those offering training and support and volunteering opportunities, and to enjoy free NHS health checks, a free Dementia Friends information session led by Damian Hinds, and refreshments managed by Alton WI, with proceeds going to the WI Denham College and Alton Open Sight.

Mr Hinds said: “I was delighted to see so many people come through the doors at the New Directions event at Alton College. Talking to visitors and exhibitors, it’s clear there is a real opportunity to help more over-50s put their skills to work, whether that is moving back into employment, re-training for a new career, or taking on some voluntary work.

“The atmosphere was very upbeat and positive and I think people were genuinely surprised by the range of opportunities available, and I hope inspired by some of the talks.”