Weidenpesch seniors' network: Independent and full of energy!

Weidenpesch seniors' network: Independent and full of energy!

The Weidenpesch district in Cologne has taken an exciting step. The senior leisure group, which has functioned as a Veedels network since its founding in 2019, has now taken the pioneering step towards independence. Again Cologne City Gazette reported, the monthly network planning meeting took place on November 9, 2025 in the “Café Mobile” at Hohenfriedbergstrasse 9. This step comes after around a year of preparation, during which the group received support from Mareike Dunkel from the German Red Cross.

The leisure group is aimed at people aged 60 and over and now has around 130 members. The sponsoring association is “Haus Mobile”, one of the oldest multi-generational house communities in Cologne. This self-administration is part of a larger trend that other seniors' networks in Longerich, Bilderstöckchen and Nippes have also implemented.

Diverse offers for seniors

With the transition to self-employment, members now have 14 different offers available. These include social activities such as Klaaf, get-togethers in “ Früh em Tattersall ” and the “Kölsche Amseln” singing group. Sports activities are also part of the program, including Nordic walking and memory training. These offers can be used either free of charge or for a small fee, although the restaurants may incur their own expenses. Depending on the group, prior registration may be required.

For new members, a meeting takes place every first Thursday of the month from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Café Mobile. These open rounds offer the opportunity to exchange ideas about new activities and suggestions in order to continuously expand the offering.

The challenges of networking

Like many other social networks, the seniors in Weidenpesch also had to struggle with challenges during the corona pandemic. This time made it difficult to network and offer activities. But now the group is showing through its self-administration that it remains strong and is actively adapting to the changes. A digital platform is available for further information and contacts that responds to the needs of users.

Additionally, the website offers GPS coordinates useful services, such as the ability to calculate a 10 km radius, which can be useful for complying with exit restrictions. Users can also make optimal use of these offers via mobile devices.

For the seniors' leisure group in Weidenpesch, this path not only means an improvement in the number of participants, but also a strengthening of the community within the district. The group shows that age is not a barrier to activity and a sense of community, but rather an opportunity to be creative and sociable.