16,600 centenarians in the UK and rising… 5 reasons why

At Miramar Care Home in the quiet seaside town of Herne Bay, Kent, something remarkable is happening. Six residents have passed the age of 100, together they share a combined age of 613. That’s not just unusual, it’s unheard of.

There’s Ron Lewis, 102, who still dresses in his best suit to play piano after lunch, a ritual the staff affectionately call “Ron O’Clock.” John Rayner, 101, heads straight from his weekly tai chi class to join him. Paddy Shirrefs, 103, describes herself as “Paddy to my friends, Patricia to my enemies” and refuses to give up her evening gin.

And then there’s 107-year-old Irene Dunn, the newest arrival and now the home’s reigning matriarch. She’s mastered Facebook Messenger so she can video call her family, including her soon-to-arrive great-great-great-grandchild, making hers one of the very few six-generation families in the UK.

Although life expectancy gains slowed after Covid, there are still some 16,600 centenarians in the UK, a number that has doubled in two decades, and projections suggest it may continue to grow.

Living to 100 might not be for everyone’s ambition, but as Miramar’s centenarians prove, a long life can still be a rich and connected one.

Here are five lessons from the 100 Club.

1. Friendship is fuel

“Friendships are a very important part of life,” says Ron Lewis. “You have to put a lot of yourself into maintaining them, and you’ll find people give it back in return.”

Across the group, friendship came up again and again, not as a nice-to-have but as an essential part of survival. These are people who’ve lived through wars, grief and immense change. Connection has been their constant.

2. Keep the fire inside

“They’ve all got a fire inside them,” says Louise Vickers, Miramar’s manager. “They’re strong-willed, outspoken people, you don’t get this far unless you want to keep going.”

That inner spark, the decision to stay curious, interested, even stubborn, seems to be the secret ingredient that no supplement can replicate.

3. Family matters (in all its forms)

Between them, the residents have 17 children and more grandchildren than anyone can count. But it’s not the numbers that stand out, it’s the support.

Every one of these centenarians has a strong family or friendship network around them. They’re not living out their years in isolation, they’re surrounded by love, routine and small acts of care.

4. Stay active in body and mind

Tai chi, reading, piano playing, weekend newspaper trips on a mobility scooter — life at 100 is far from static.

“You need to live your life sensibly,” Ron says. “When I was younger I went swimming, played football, went out dancing. You need to be very active.”

Activity changes shape with age, but the principle doesn’t. Movement keeps life flowing, both physically and socially.

5. Stay connected, even through tech

At 107, Irene Dunn’s not just scrolling, she’s video-calling. Her embrace of Facebook Messenger shows what’s possible when older adults are given the tools and confidence to stay in touch digitally.

Technology, used well, doesn’t replace relationships, it extends them.

In summary

You don’t reach 100 by accident. You get there by choosing connection over withdrawal, curiosity over comfort and participation over passivity.

What Miramar’s “100 Club” teaches us is simple but profound: longevity isn’t just about living longer, it’s about staying alive inside.

As one resident put it, “You have to keep putting a bit of yourself into the world, that’s what comes back to keep you going.”

Chatsie Update

At Chatsie, we’re helping older adults stay connected and independent in small, human ways, from simple voice calls to our Family Dashboard that keeps loved ones in the loop.

Our phones are now VAT exempt for people with a disability or long-term health condition, saving up to £60 off the handset. Find out if you’re eligible here

Because as the 100 Club reminds us, independence and connection aren’t opposites. In the best lives, they sustain each other.

Inspired by “How to live to 100: lessons from the centenarians,” published in The Times on October 24, 2025. Original reporting by Eleanor Hayward