Launched on Olders Person Day Active Bucks 'Ageing Well Together' is a collaborative campaign to increase older residents’ awareness of physical activity opportunities and encourage them to try a new session.
Leap, the County Sports Partnership for Buckinghanshire and Milton Keynes are working with Public Health and partners across statutory, health and voluntary sectors to encourage adults over 65+ across Buckinghamshire to try a new activity this October.
The campaign has been developed using local insight, talking to real people about their relationship with physical activity. The campaign will utilise the Active Bucks brand and is funded by Buckinghamshire County Council.
Let’s age well together
LEAP want to help local residents like you to live long, happy and healthy lives. That’s why they are working with Active Bucks and other partners to encourage older residents across Buckinghamshire to try a new physical activity or sport session.
Keeping active as we age is really important for our physical and mental health. It can help us keep up with the grandkids, provide a way to regularly see friends, ensure our minds stay sharp by learning new skills and ward off many preventable diseases.
Current guidelines recommend that people aged 65 and over should aim to be moderately active for 150 minutes each week, that means an activity which raises your heart rate and makes you breathe faster and feel warmer.
Government recommendations also include two sessions of activity each week which strengthens the major muscles, like digging the garden, Pilates or carrying heavy shopping bags.
There are hundreds of activities taking place across the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes to help people achieve these guidelines, and through Active Bucks, the first session is free. People are being encouarged to try their hand at activities like nordic walking, gym, swimming, dance, martial arts, badminton, tennis, and yoga.
Ian 67, a retired graphic designer from Steeple Claydon tried Nordic Walking last year and has been hooked ever since.
“From the first session in the cold wind and pouring rain, I loved it! I knew it was doing me good. I feel fitter than I have done for years, I have less aches and pains and I have lost significant weight without any change to my diet. I am racing up hills and inclines where before I would be puffing and panting. It feels exhilarating to get the heart rate up.”
According to Ian, it’s the social which makes it enjoyable with feeling fitter and healthier an added bonus. However with only two other men in the group, Ian is keen to get more men involved.
“It was the social thing more than anything; we have grown together as a group of people. We didn’t know each other before and now we all look forward to the session.
My wife Val will tell you that I get really annoyed if I have to miss a session of this. So the big message as far as I’m concerned is lets get more men doing it.”
Like Ian, you can feel the social and physical benefits of being more active. Sign up for an activity session today. www.activebucks.co.uk
More information?
If you’d like more information, or to discuss a bespoke opportunity around the campaign, please contact Chris Gregory cgregory@leapwithus.org.uk or call 01296 585069.
