Learning Age Project

Active Ageing in the North West

Active Ageing and LAP • Active ageing ……the process

of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. It applies to both individuals and population groups. Active ageing allows people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the life course…The word “active” refers to continuing participation in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs, not just the ability to be physically active or to participate in the labour force

LAP has provided a range of courses which help support active ageing…….examples include:

• Physical Health & Well Being Projects

• Social Inclusion reaching those most excluded due to illness, social disadvantage in neighbourhood renewal areas, geographical location etc

• Mental Health Projects

• Cultural Projects

• Intergenerational Projects–Linking the Generations to learn together

• Providing opportunities to engage on issues affecting older people e.g. Arts Council OP Arts Consultation/City of Culture Consultation/Pensioners Parliament etc and also to participate in projects supporting their peers e.g. Think Drink and Don’t ….be my Guest!

YOGA: In the North West we have piloted Yoga for more elderly

participants & those less able bodied or less mobile or generally less fit.

• Participants relax and enjoy a more gentle approach to Yoga.

• Participants can enjoy the class whilst working from a chair or from their mat on the floor.

• The class aims to work three main areas followed by relaxation.

• Anti-Rheumatic GroupLoosens the joints, excellent for those

suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart problems &

where vigorous exercise is not advised

• Digestive/Abdominal GroupImprove the digestive system, build

flexibility & strength into the abdominal area

• Eye ExercisesRelax & strengthen the eye muscles e.g.

muscles that help focus the eyes.

• Relaxation and Breathing: Taking time out of your busy day to relax,

unwind & just be.

Body Wisdom

• Working with local Professional Dance Company Echo Echo

• Provides contemporary dance and movement courses for older people

• Learn about the body, how it moves & responds, how to deal with physical problems and working through these

• Physical Activity & Relaxation

• Poetry of Movement

• Performance WorkMapping Memories 2011 and

Views from the Hill 2012

Attracted other fundingBBC Performing Arts Fund

Learning to Safeguard & Protect @ Home

Devised Performance“Don’t….be my Guest! “– A Play and

leaflet about Bogus Callers and how older people can learn to safe guard themselves at home

Performed by two LAP Drama Groups/Workshop Discussion After performance/Audience Feedback on Awareness of Issues

Toured 10 Community Venues & OP Projects inWinter 2012,

funded by the Policing &

Community Safety Partnership

• DVD & Resource Pack Launch for Community Groups 7th November 2012

Filming on location: May 2012

Health and Nutrition • Cookery for Men/Cooking for One/Cooking

on a Budget

Men who have lost their partners or partners unable to cook

All Courses have included awareness of good nutrition, budgeting, shopping as well as cooking a range of healthy

meals quickly and easily.

DRINK THINK Campaign• A Project run by the

Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum

• Ladies from the two LAP drama groups were involved in a publicity campaign to highlight safe and sensible drinking for older people

• Poster/Flyer Campaign

Old Library Trust

Health 4 Life Programme

• A Five Year Programme

• Funded by the Big Lottery

• Open to those aged 60+

Programme includes:

• Gym and Spin for all Abilities

• Line Dancing• Boccia• Walking Club• Healthy Eating and

Cooking • Foot Care Clinic• Gentle Yoga• The Social Hour• Memory Club- Dementia

Group

OLT

• Chat and Chew Club1pm Lunch2pm Stay and Chat in

Drop In RoomHear Speakers or try

new activities • Drop in Club operates twice once

during the day and one evening

Drop In Club: Deciding on Courses

Bogside and Brandywell• Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum is a community-led

organisation established to address health inequalities and enhance health and wellbeing.

• ‘Getting on Well’ will target people over 60 years old at risk of isolation or ill health living in Creggan, Bogside, Brandywell and Fountain areas of Derry and will deliver a number of distinct programmes to improve their lives.

Programmes will include: • A gardening/grow your own initiative based both at people’s homes

and at a number of new allotment and communal gardens• A health and social engagement programme for older men• A complementary therapy programme to relieve pain and stress• An intervention and support programme linking with 'Operation

Snowball' during difficult winter periods and community based initiatives during seasonal disturbances

Bogside and Brandywell• Service users eligible for support are over 60, living in the Triax area

and could be experiencing difficulties such as:• Isolation• Loneliness• Low self esteem• Stress• Poor mental health• Poor health• Overweight• Long term illness• Addiction• Poverty• Debt

U3A Foyle

• Idea of U3A set up in Toulouse in 1972

• In Ireland since 1990• U3A Foyle is one of the few

who have their own Premises• Run voluntarily by over 100 of

their members• Over 50% of Courses taught

voluntary by its members• Cross Community• Links to other groups e.g.

men’s health programme• New Active Ageing Centre

opened May 2012

U3A Foyle

Health Activities include:• Badminton• Boccia and Bowls• Dancing & Movement to

Music• Men’s Keep Fit Club• Walking Club• Gardening• Self Defence• Tai Chi/Yoga/Pilates

Thank you for listening

For further information about the Learning Age Project;

Please contact:Sinead DevineDevelopment Officer LAPsinead.devine@wea-ni.com

Tel: 028 71 369947WEAMagazine Studios5-6 Magazine StreetDerry.LondonderryBT48 6HJ