Good health, wellbeing and friendships in later life are to be encouraged and celebrated at a free event dedicated to Edinburgh’s growing number of older people this Thursday.
Delivered in a partnership between City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Leisure and Pilmeny Development Project, an older adults’ event will be hosted by Edinburgh Leisure at Meadowbank Sports Centre on 13 October from 12.30-4.00pm, as part of Older Adults’ month.
The number of people over 50 years of age in Scotland is projected to rise by 28% before 2031.
Following the success of last years’s event, which welcomed over 400 older adults from across the capital, Thursday’s event will offer a wealth of information and advice on staying healthy in later life, as well as showcasing projects aimed at older adults.
The city’s older adults are invited to attend and be inspired by the wealth of activities and services supporting fitness, wellbeing and social connections.
Exhibitors will include Age Scotland; NHS Lothian Falls Prevention; Living It Up; Care & Repair; Changeworks Heat for Heroes; LOOPS (local opportunities for older people services).
A Big Fit Walk will kick off the event in the morning with different levels and distances to cater for all levels of fitness.
The bronze walk will take a lap around the Meadowbank athletics track, with the silver leaving and returning from Meadowbank to St Margaret’s Loch in Holyrood Park and the gold event leaving and returning from Meadowbank to the Scottish Parliament.
All the events will be led by trained Ageing Well Walk leaders, who themselves are all over 50.
In the afternoon, Dance group, 24 Carat, a group of friends who met at a dance class for older people at Dancebase five years ago and who have now formed their own group, will be starting off the timelessly popular Tea Dance at 1.25 pm, with a dance performance, before the Get Up and Go Awards are presented.
‘Don’t stop’, 24 Carat’s anthem and part of the programme they will be performing at Luminate Festival of Creative Ageing later in the month, is choreographed by one of the Carats, Christine Thynne.
Edinburgh Leisure is committed to promoting healthy, active living throughout every life stage, and supports this through award winning, free funded programmes including Ageing Well, Active Lives and Healthy Active Minds.
Anita Jefferies, Manager of Ageing Well at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We are at a significant point in history where, thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, more people are living longer than ever. Living a healthy, active lifestyle as well as getting out and about to make social connections is vital to enjoying the best possible quality of life throughout later life.
“In Edinburgh, where the number of adults over 50 has risen hugely, we are fortunate to enjoy fantastic leisure facilities offering a variety of activities. In addition, a number of services such as Ageing Well are dedicated to supporting older people to stay active and try exciting new activities with their peers.
“This is all thanks to our fantastic volunteers, who are all older people themselves, which makes Ageing Well unique. We all know there are important physical benefits to being active, and our services also help people to enjoy vital social connections and discover new skills and talents, boosting happiness and wellbeing.”
The Ageing Well programme provides a diverse number of different programmes from a photography club, to activities such as cycling, new age kurling, health walks and even swim buddy sessions providing encouragement and support to those who might be returning to swimming.
The Older Adults event opens its doors at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Thursday, October 13 October from 12.30-4pm. The event is free, although a voluntary contribution is welcomed, including all the activities and the tea dance. No booking required – just turn up!
For further information about this event visit contact 0131 458 2183 or ageingwell@edinburghleisure.
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