How you can support Age UK through quizzing

Around the country, local Age UKs put on quiz nights to raise funds for their crucial work and to bring the local community together in a positive evening of fun and friendship.

To find out more about how quizzing works on a local level, we spoke to two of our Age UK colleagues, Bethany Grimshaw from Age UK Norwich, and Linda Cowdry, from Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable.

At Herne Bay & Whitstable, quizzing is certainly a popular event, attracting a broad cross-section of the community to take part. “We’re lucky to have teams attending that include staff, volunteers, clients, their families and friends as well as our neighbours and supporters in the community,” says Linda.

In Norwich, the team design the quizzes around a particular theme to make them more fun for everyone involved. 2024’s Halloween quiz featured fancy dress, and 2025’s Valentine’s Day quiz was ‘Pal-entines’ (Pals plus Valentines) themed. Beth tells us: “The atmosphere was fantastic! The themed elements, dressing up, and great food and drink made for a fun and engaging evening. Everyone got involved, not just in the quiz itself but also in the raffles and auctions that were part of both nights.”

Linda adds: “The events are a happy social occasion filled with laughter and a smattering of competitiveness. People bring along their own food and the odd bottle of wine to share with friends at their tables. The winners won’t walk away prize rich but do leave feeling a sense of success! Everyone leaves having a good tale to tell others and the knowledge that they have supported a good cause by taking part. Everyone’s a winner in this sense.”

And if you’re worried about coming solo, you needn’t be. Linda continues: “We welcome everyone;  teams and individuals who are happy to join other tables can do so, and it always works out with singles or couples making new acquaintances by joining with others to chat and share brain power!”

In this way, quiz nights can be a great way to meet new people with similar interests. In a recent article, we spoke to Paul Singha from ITV’s The Chase about the benefits of quizzing. We also spoke to a psychotherapist about the cognitive and mental wellbeing which quizzing can give you. Read the full piece here.

That’s precisely why Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable host quizzes in their social centre for clients on a weekly basis in addition to the annual fundraising community quiz nights. “Clients love them. They help keep minds sharp, offer a distraction, encourage teamwork and co-operation and are an entertaining and fun way to learn and share facts and subjects,” says Linda.

Quiz nights are not only fun for the whole community, they’re also a key fundraiser for local Age UKs. The Halloween quiz in Norwich raised £3,758, which contributes greatly to their stated aim ‘to make later life better by working with residents to build an age-friendly, inclusive city where older people can thrive.’ Beth notes that “The events attracted participants from a wide range of ages and were an opportunity to raise awareness of our services. Those who weren’t already familiar with our work left with a clear understanding of the impact their fundraising would have,” making quiz nights an important way for Age UK Norwich to get their message out in front of new supporters across the age groups.

So if you enjoy quizzing, are up for getting together in your community, and you’d like to support the work of your local Age UK, keep an eye on their social media and website, or get in touch with them directly to find out more about the quiz events they’re planning. Find your local Age UK here. Or perhaps you rate yourself as a quizmaster? Why not sign up to host your own quiz to raise funds for Age UK? Sign up here for resources.

If you’d like to read more about why community is important for your wellbeing and mental health, you may be interested in reading our piece about why community is so important, where we spoke to members of a Northern Soul community club in Brighton to find out what community means to them.