Being physically active as you get older can lead to physical, psychological, emotional and social benefits. Many of the benefits of being physically acitve as you age are illustrated in our recent video highlighting just a few of the activities held at University of Worcester. Watch this video below and if you are interested in finding out more and then go to our Seniors Physical Activity and Adapted Sports webpage.
We also have staff at the University undertaking research in a variety of different topic areas, but all related to living full lives as we get older. Check out our researchers in the section below.
Each year we host an ‘Active Ageing Week’, where members of the public can join public talks, workshops and taster physical activity sessions which embrace ageing and advocate physical activity for all. Please see the drop down menus below for reports from the 2018 and 2019 weeks.
Finally, if you want to get more active, then click on the link inside our "Want to be more Active" section below to find out what opportunities are available in your area.
Active Ageing at University of Worcester – video sponsored by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Activities held during Active Ageing Week 2018
Active Ageing Week 2019
Active Ageing week started this year on 1st October – International Older Person’s Day and celebrated being active as we age right across the week to the 7th October. The event was sponsored by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire and altogether 159 participants joined us for public talks, workshops and physical activity taster sessions. Public talks and workshops covered a diverse range of topics including the launch of the “My age can” campaign, ‘Changing the image of ageing’, ‘Challenging nutritional myths around ageing’, Well-being MOT and ‘Get Moving: Creating a positive mindset to become active’.
Feedback from our participants:
“I have found all the courses I attended very useful”
“I thought it was an amazing event and have told many people about it. I have learnt such a lot and would like to pass on my thanks to all concerned.”
In relation to the Wellbeing MOT -
“…with my results I feel I can do a lot more than I thought I could”
If you are interested in getting active or finding out more about the Active Ageing here at the University then email activeageing@worc.ac.uk.
Active Ageing Week 2018
Attendees learnt about benefits of being active, gained nutritional advice, had a go at exercises to improve balance and coordination and were tested for their fitness levels.
The finale, our guest speaker Alex Rotas, was inspirational. Her photos and the stories she shared through them made us open our eyes and reconsider our perceptions of ageing.
Reflecting on our week Alex said “I was honoured to be part of the final day of the University of Worcester’s Active Ageing Week in September 2018. What truly blew me away was the breadth of the activities on offer.”
Active Ageing at Worcester
The University of Worcester’s maxim ‘Inspired for life’ emphasises inclusion and this links to our underlying philosophy within Active Ageing. We believe that at any age we can be active and we hope to educate all about the benefits of physical activity throughout our lives and include people with opportunities for being physically active especially in later life. As such our Active Ageing maxim is “Active at any age”.
Our Active Ageing initiatives encompass a wide range of staff from across the university and we work in collaboration with organisations across Worcestershire and Herefordshire. The initiatives include the Seniors Physical Activity and Adapted Sports programme (SPAAS), active ageing research, public talks and our main annual event – Active Ageing Week.
Our initiatives primarily focus on older adults but anyone who is in the second half of life (50+) or approaching retirement, then these initiatives and activities might be of interest to you. We are always interested in making connections. So if you are interested in Active Ageing and wish to get involved, or have an idea you wish to share, then do please get in touch – activeageing@worc.ac.uk or 01905 855270.
Research
Staff from a variety of disciplines are engaged with active ageing research including exercise psychology, sociology of sport and exercise, gender and identity, nutrition and occupational therapy. To find out more please visit individual staff profiles and the Gender, Identity and the Body research group.
Dr Clare Rhoden – Psycho-social factors associated with ageing and physical activity
Dr Jennifer Joyce – Effects of exercise on cognitive function in older adults
Dr Alison Blank – Belonging and the meaning of physical activity for older adults
Dr Matt Cook – Nutrition and the effects of blackcurrant powder for older adults.
Dr Susie Scriven – Adapted sport and physical activity for older adults – policy and provision
Dr Győző Molnár – Socio-cultural factors associated with ageing and physical activity
PhD Student Deborah Tomkinson – Identity transformations: Exploring single, older women’s adjustments to physical ageing through participation in physical activity.
Gender Identity and the Body research group.
Want to get more active?
Opportunities to get active at the University of Worcester
There are lots of sessions across the week to join others and increase your physical activity. Activities range from badminton and netball to keep fit, circuits and seated exercise classes. Have a look at the programme of activities available HERE.
Opportunities to get active across Worcestershire and Herefordshire
Try the Physical Activity Finder created by Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire.