News Report - Continuing the Movement for Active Ageing
March 14, 2025
Live Longer Better in Cumbria: Continuing the Movement for Active Ageing saw over 140 delegates come together for a day of learning and development around the role of physical activity in ageing well. Partners and providers travelled from across the county to hear keynote speeches and take part in workshops, representing the NHS, both councils, leisure and physical activity as well as the voluntary and community sector. The energy in the room was palpable, and the feedback from the day shows how worth while it proved to be.
Everyone who registered for the event was asked how confident they felt about talking to older adults about moving more: after the event, there was a 20% increase in confidence in total, with 54% of attendees saying they now felt extremely confident compared with 41% before. 92% of respondents gave the event content overall a rating of 5 out of 5, with comments including:
"Best conference I have been to. It was very well organised. The speakers were great and all of the topics were relevant".
"Lots of networking opportunities, information about local groups and services, interesting and engaging talks with practical advice and information we can use in practice with older adults".
"Extremely interesting and very practical. Left with lots of ideas regarding how I could push for some implementation of change and improvements in care services".
"The speakers were excellent and so much useful information to take away for myself, my staff and our service users. Things that can be implemented immediately as well as long term goals".
Between 66% and 92% of respondents rated the keynote speeches from all speakers as very good or excellent, with one delegate remarking:
"Great take away messages and so positive - can make positive changes whatever age and condition.
"Very different to a lot of messages people receive as they age (in general from health) many feel that they are written off and that when they reach a certain age, they feel dismissed. Good to hear evidence/research. So many positives".
Between 64% and 75% of respondents rated the 3 different workshops Very Good and Excellent, as delivered by Bex Townley from Later Life Training, Dr Angela White from Gold for Old CIC and Julia Gover and Jagit Mankelow from Flipping Pain. Feedback included thes following comments:
"All of the workshops were excellent as the people delivering them were very passionate about their work".
"Memorable format, all of these workshops got me thinking".
All data related to the event has been evaluated with specific action points for Active Cumbria to take forward in relation to future training that is sought. The team has also taken on board more general feedback about the general management and format of such events for our stakeholders.
The overwhelming sense from the day is one of inspiration and motivation – from the content delivered and the opportunity to network with those sharing common goals for long, healthy lives for our citizens.
"Found the event really engaging. Good representation of services and providers. Very rare to be able to get onto training for a day and it be affordable (FREE!!!) for organisation. Hard to summarise the amazing positives".
"I feel inspired and confident that we can do better, am going to be so mindful of my language I use around frailty, older age and activity from now on!"
"This event has been one of the most inspiring, exciting and relevant days that I've been privileged to attend. Thank you".