Shepway Sports Trust run a programme of physical activity for people aged 50+ in Shepway, improving the physical and mental health of participants.
The scheme was launched in January 2017 following an analysis of public health insight, along with four months of locally-conducted research involving 400 residents. A weekly timetable of low-impact, low-cost physical activity was created, comprising the sports that this target audience were very keen to try.
Active 50 has six sessions per week, with at least one activity every day from Monday to Friday including walking groups, exercise to music classes, indoor cricket, pickleball, low-impact circuits and walking football. This extensive programme is largely run by volunteers.
Partners include GPs, NHS Walking for Health team, GB Pickleball and Kent FA. The project is also supported by local MP, and chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Damian Collins, as well as local sporting ambassadors Deryl Gilham-Jones and David Stavely, both aged 50+.
