Live Longer Better Network News – Issue No.4 December 2023
Introduction
Welcome to the last Network News of 2023!
The Live Longer Better campaign aims to increase people’s wellbeing and healthy lifespan, especially for those aged 55 years and over. However, it is never too young to Live Longer Better.
Reflecting on the past year, we held a successful online event in June with great presentations from Emily Forster at ADSS and our inspirational Live Longer Better founder, Sir Muir Gray. We introduced the bi-monthly Network News to share research, webinars, information and local activities. In October, we saw a number of network members attend Active Kent & Medway’s annual conference at Detling Showground. Over the year, we have continued to grow our Live Longer Better local network with over 100 individuals now signed up. Please do share this edition of Network News with other colleagues and organisations to help us spread the word across the county.
As we approach the festive holidays, we encourage you to take a look at the Everyday Active website for winter walks, cycle routes, days out at country parks, wild swimming for that Boxing Day swim or perhaps dance classes for your New Year celebrations. You could also kickstart 2024 by joining our ‘Jump into January’ Activity Challenge.
Christmas Gift Ideas
Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? Looking to support your loved ones this Christmas and improve the physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing of your family and friends?
We’ve come up with 12 Christmas gift ideas from resistance bands to healthy cookbooks, a pair of trainers to some gardening gloves, a dance class to a crossword puzzle and so much more… all the gift ideas can help us to live longer better.
We’ve been sharing our gift ideas on our social media channels over the last 12 days but you can view a full list of the gift ideas via the link below. We hope it inspires your Christmas shopping!
Follow this link to download Christmas Gift Ideas (PDF, 2 MB)
Health in an Ageing Society
The Chief Medical Officer’s annual report 2023 ‘Health in an ageing society’ was published on 10 November 2023.
Chris Witty (CMO) recommends actions to improve the quality of life for older adults and to prioritise areas with the fastest growth in older people.
There is also a focus on the responsibility of medicine, government and the wider society to ensure that older age is as healthy, independent and enjoyable as possible into the future.
Age Friendly Communities - free webinar
The Centre for Ageing Better is hosting a webinar covering the basics of Age-friendly Communities as defined by the World Health Organisation.
An Age-friendly Community is a place where people of all ages are able to live healthy and active later lives. These places make it possible for people to continue to stay living in their homes, participate in the activities that they value, and contribute to their communities, for as long as possible. The webinar will provide practical examples from UK members on their journey to become better places to grow old.
The online event takes place on Wednesday 24 January 2024 at 10am-11am.
Dementia Friendly Kent
Did you know that Kent has its own ‘Working to Become Dementia Friendly Symbol (WTBDF)’ which businesses, schools, care and health organisations and sole traders can apply for?
The symbol is to showcase that an organisation is working towards becoming more dementia friendly for their community and more accessible for people with a hidden disability.
Contact your local Dementia Friendly Community Group for more information or complete the application form to register your interest.
Wellbeing Activities for over 55's
SEK (Social Enterprise Kent) manages the Universal Wellbeing Contract for Older People across Thanet and the South Kent Coast.
Wellbeing activities for over 55’s take place across Thanet, Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Romney Marsh, Hythe and Lyminge. From walking football, tai chi, Good Boost Aqua, gardening to Latin dancing, there is something for everyone. SEK also work with communities to tackle digital exclusion in some of the most deprived areas of the region.
All the activities and events are open to anyone over the age of 55, or under 55 with complex needs.
Training Opportunities
A range of training courses can be found via the Partner Hub on our Everyday Active website.
Courses include Make Every Contact Count, Live Longer Better, Moving Medicine, eLearning modules and our free Everyday Active Workshop.
“Highly informative and impactful session. It made me think about my own activity levels as well as the importance of encouraging our service users.” Everyday Active Workshop attendee
Follow this link to view all the training opportunities
National Wellbeing Campaigns
Disability History Month: 16 November – 16 December 2023
Find out about Disability History Month
Dry January: 1 – 31 January 2024
Time to Talk Day: 1 February 2024
Find out about Time to Talk Day
World Cancer Day: 4 February 2024
Find out about World Cancer Day
LGBT+ History Month: February 2024
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you
If there’s anything in our network news you’d like to discuss further, please contact Michelle Bird, our Health & Wellbeing Officer via email: michelle.bird@kent.gov.uk.