Live Longer Better Network News – Issue No.11 April 2025
Introduction
After what seems like a long winter, April has produced some much-needed sunshine and longer daylight hours, which is a great excuse to go outside and enjoy the beautiful spring flowers and budding trees.
We hope you find the 11th edition of Kent & Medway Live Longer Network News of interest. As always, please share the Network News with your colleagues, partners and other organisations to help spread the word.
Live Longer Better Network Event
Thank you to everyone who attended our Live Longer Better Network event on 27 March 2025. Delivered online, we welcomed over 40 attendees.
“Thank you very much for the event. Brilliant presentations. Really insightful and useful.”
Karley Hubbard provided an insight into Engaging Older People in Physical Activity. Sophie Ward spoke about the priorities around Active Environments and Planning, and Lucy Rout gave an informative round-up of physical activity funding opportunities.
“It’s great to hear what other people are doing in their area and what research is going on. A very useful session, especially the Everyday Active resources.”
If you would like to see a copy of the presentation slides, please email: michelle.bird@kent.gov.uk
Everyday Active for Health Film
We are delighted to share our Everyday Active for Health film. Featuring Dr Anjan Ghosh, Director of Public Health at Kent County Council, Dr Catherine Norwood from Charing Surgery plus Joe and Tina, who kindly share their personal stories of becoming more active and how this is helping their physical health and mental wellbeing. Hear how Everyday Active is helping to tackle the growing health challenges across Kent and Medway. The campaign and website provide Health Professionals, GPs, social workers and frontline workers with resources, training and opportunities to help support their patients and service users to become more physically active.
Visit Everyday Active and discover ways to move more for health
FREE Wellbeing Programmes
Kent Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust are running FREE wellbeing programmes and sessions across Kent this spring and summer in Canterbury, Thanet, Dover, and Romney Marsh. Sessions involve general walks, opportunities to learn relaxation techniques in nature, and opportunities to meet others. After the programmes end, participants will be offered opportunities to continue to meet up, link in with other services and explore volunteering opportunities.
There are programmes for carers, NHS workers, sessions to support people to stop smoking, and 6-week programmes for adults living with physical or mental health conditions, loneliness, or social isolation.
Find out about the Wilder Wellbeing Programmes
FaME (Falls Management Exercise) Medway
The 20-week FaME (Falls Management Exercise) and Wellbeing Programme Medway) is now taking bookings. The first session starts on 17 April at Woodlands Academy, followed by Lordswood Healthy Living Centre on 2 May with lots more to follow across Medway in the coming weeks. There is no charge for Medway residents and carers are welcome to join in too.
Find out about the FaME Programme
Developing Veterans’ Resilience through Physical Activity Programme
Loughborough University in collaboration with the Royal Air Forces Association has received funding to deliver a programme of physical activities and wellbeing workshops to strengthen veterans social, physical and physiological resilience.
The free programme is designed for all UK military veterans, living in the South East, South West and Midlands suffering from mental health and wellbeing issues. At the end of the course participants will have a plan of action to help sustain the improvements they have made, including an opportunity to attend a follow-up meeting with other programme participants.
Find out about the Veterans’ Resilience through Physical Activity Programme
Training Opportunities
Tackling Inactivity through Dance Workshop
This lunch and learn session, taking place on 8 May 2025, 1pm – 1.45pm, will look at the role that dance can play in tackling inequalities, to highlight the benefits of dance and to look at opportunities for collaboration between dance and the sport and physical activity sector.
The session aims to outline the health benefits of dance, give an overview of the wide and varied dance sector plus share some models of good practice. The workshop will be facilitated by Jeanette Bain-Burnett (Executive Director for Sport England), Jan Burkhardt, (Knowledge Mobilisation Lead for Children’s Physical Activity YHARC) and Jen Hall (Senior Research Fellow).
To join the meeting either email Jan Burkhardt at Jan.Burkhardt@bthft.nhs.uk or use the meeting details: Microsoft Teams: Meeting ID: 371 898 121 892 Passcode: 8xT6VJ2j
Everyday Active Workshop
The Everyday Active Workshop is for anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and understanding of the benefits of physical activity, to feel confident about having conversations with others to help get more people, more active across Kent and Medway.
“I strongly recommend the workshop. Great resources and information on how to support people and help increase their overall physical activity.” Workshop Attendee
Join us online for our next free workshop on Tuesday 8 July, 13:00 – 14:30.
National Walking Month
Living Streets’ National Walking Month takes place in May. Walking gives us an opportunity to unwind, move our bodies, and connect with others – and it’s totally free.
This year, they’re inviting you to discover the #MagicOfWalking and celebrate how walking and wheeling more can boost your physical and mental health, as well as supporting the local economy.
To help you discover the benefits of walking and explore a wide variety of walking opportunities across Kent and Medway, take a look at our dedicated walking pages on Everyday Active.
National Wellbeing Campaigns
National Walking Month: 1 – 31 May 2025
Find out about National Walking Month
Mental Health Awareness Week: 12 – 18 May 2025
Find out about Mental Health Awareness Week
Dementia Action Week: 19 – 25 May 2025
Find out about Dementia Action Week
Volunteers Week: 2 – 8 June 2025
Find out about Volunteers Week
Bike Week: 9 – 15 June 2025
National Carers Week: 9 – 15 June 2025
Find out about National Carers Week
Men’s Health Week: 9 – 15 June 2025
Find out about Men’s Mental Health Week
Armed Forces Day: 28 June 2025
Other News
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.