Live Longer Better Network News – Issue No.16 February 2026
Introduction
Welcome to the February edition of the Network News. We hope you find the following articles of interest. We’re also excited to announce that plans for our first in-person Live Longer Better Network event are taking shape. Further details will be shared with network members very soon. In the meantime, please share our Network News with colleagues, partners and other organisations. The network aims to promote physical, cognitive and emotional activity for the over 55’s and improve people’s wellbeing and healthy lifespan.
Have Your Say
Unpaid Carers Survey
Kent County Council is working in partnership with Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations to undertake a Health Needs Assessment, which will review the health needs of unpaid carers in Kent. The purpose of this work is to provide an evidence base to support ongoing action in Kent to support unpaid carers.
If you are currently or have ever been a carer for a family member, partner, friend or neighbour, they want to hear from you through their anonymous survey. Responses will help them understand the health and wellbeing needs of unpaid carers in Kent and help make recommendations for further actions.
Survey closes on Sunday 22 February 2026.
Kent and Medway Community Engagement
Kent County Council and Medway Council want residents and communities to express their views on local projects and proposals and help shape the future of Kent and Medway. This is your chance to have your say on all sorts of projects and proposals that interest you.
For Kent:
Follow this link to Let’s Talk Kent consultations
For Medway:
Ageing Well in Thanet
Thanet District Council in partnership with Sport England, Active Kent & Medway, Orbit Housing and Social Enterprise Kent have collaborated to offer a FREE programme of Ageing Well sessions for anyone over 55, or those with a long term health condition or disability.
The activities are running until 13 March 2026 and include Bowling, Circus skills, Indoor games, Seated exercise, Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga and Mindfulness. Activities take place at fully accessible Orbit Housing venues in Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate and are open to residents and non-residents. There’s no need to book, just register on the day. For more information please contact: natasha.brown@thanet.gov.uk or call on: 01843 543396.
Age-Friendly Communities
Ashford Borough Council and Faversham Town Council have joined the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities – a growing movement of places committed to making their communities a better place to age in, working with Centre for Ageing Better and Kent County Council.
Their commitment strengthens the broader effort across Kent to champion age‑friendly approaches, helping to shape physical and social environments that support people to remain healthy, independent, and connected. To find out more about Age Friendly Communities in Kent, please email: bernadette.mcinally@kent.gov.uk.
Social Prescribing Webinar
The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) is a national charity that champions social prescribing. They support and connect people, communities and organisations so that more people across the UK can enjoy better health and wellbeing.
In addition to sharing the latest social prescribing news, evidence and events, their latest webinar ‘Social Prescribing and Neighbourhood Health: Looking to the Future’ is now available to watch on their website.
Everyday Active Partner Toolkit
The Everyday Active Partner Toolkit is designed to help local partners, health and care professionals promote the benefits of moving more to their patients and service users. Everyday Active was launched by Active Kent & Medway in 2020, following extensive community consultation and engagement. The campaign and website were devised to:
- help promote physical activities and sessions offered by partners across the county, who are trying to reach new, less active audiences.
- assist health and care practitioners in having effective conversations with their patients about physical activity, that can lead to meaningful and sustainable behaviour change.
Included in the toolkit are digital or hard copy posters (free to order or download), logos and suggested social media posts. You can also access all the resources via the Active Kent & Medway google drive.
Follow this link to access the Everyday Active partner toolkit
Funding Opportunities
Workforce Development Fund
Are you looking to develop your workforce? Thinking about becoming an activity leader or seated exercise instructor for your local community group?
Active Kent & Medway’s Workforce Development Fund can cover up to 50% of the costs (maximum £500) towards qualifications or awards that increase the quantity and quality of leaders, coaches, instructors and officials in Kent, and therefore assist the development of sport and physical activity in the county.
Follow this link to apply for the Workforce Development Fund
Kent Community Foundation
Kent Community Foundation offers a wide variety of grants for small charitable organisations, individuals, social enterprises and business grants for young entrepreneurs in Kent and Medway. There are five priority areas for funding: (1) Children, Young People & Families (2) Vulnerable Adults (3) Elderly and Isolated (4) Employability, Skills & Enterprise (5) Environment.
Bernard Sunley Foundation
The Bernard Sunley Foundation offers grants under four funding categories: Community, Education, Health and Social Welfare. The grants can support projects for example: Armed Forces and Veterans, Elderly, Ex-Offenders, Social Enterprises. They accept grant applications all year round and fund:
- Capital projects.
- Project costs between £10,000 and £5 million.
- Charities with an annual income of under £10 million.
Menopause Screening
Menopause screening is to be officially incorporated into NHS health checks in England for the first time. Women getting the checks – offered to adults aged 40 to 74 every five years – will be asked about the menopause and possible symptoms from next year. The aim is to identify women who may benefit from advice and support, including treatment, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), drugs to combat hot-flushes and counselling.
Active Kent & Medway have produced a helpful guide to find out more about how physical activity can help women manage and cope through perimenopause and menopause.
National Wellbeing Campaigns
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2026
Find out about International Women’s Day
Let’s Dance – National Day of Dance: 8 March 2026
National No Smoking Day: 11 March 2026
Find out about National No Smoking Day
Stress Awareness Month: April 2026
Find out about Stress Awareness Month
World Health Day: 7 April 2026
Find out about World Health Day
World Parkinson’s Day: 11 April 2026
Find out about World Parkinson’s Day
On Your Feet Britain: 30 April 2026
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you
If there’s anything in our network news you’d like to discuss further, please get in touch with Michelle Bird, our Health and Wellbeing Officer at: michelle.bird@kent.gov.uk.