Sporting and cultural activities for older people
Older residents in the St Albans District are being asked to reveal what new sporting and cultural activities they would like to be made available.
St Albans City and District Council, together with a number of partners, provides a wide range of activities designed to appeal to those over 65.
These include walking football, badminton, aqua aerobics and netball sessions at Westminster Lodge and other leisure centres.
The Council’s Museums team offers older people concessionary tickets and has engaged with them in planning for the new £7.75 million Museum and Art Gallery.
Matinee shows of theatrical performances are regularly held at the Alban Arena and Harpenden Public Halls.
The Parks and Green spaces team helps to arrange health walks and provide allotments for those interested in gardening.
The Council also stages events such as an annual gathering of voluntary and community groups to mark National Older People’s Day.
An update on opportunities for the over-65s was given to a meeting of the Council’s Community, Environment and Sport Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 9 November.
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, the Committee’s Chair, said afterwards: “It is important for the physical and mental health of our older people that they are given the chance to participate in activities especially tailored for their needs.
“The Council is committed to improving the lifestyles of older residents in the District by organising sporting and cultural activities.
“This is an evolving programme and the Committee felt that we need to ensure that it stays in tune with the demands and interests of older people.
“For those reasons, we would like to hear from the over-65s themselves. We want them to explain to us what activities they feel are missing from the Council’s programme or have not been fully developed.
“The Committee will look at the feedback we get so we can better evaluate how well we are doing and what more needs to be done.”
Anyone who would like to contribute a suggestion should email: stuart.foster@stalbans.gov.uk
In 2016 the Office for National Statistics reported that 17% of St Albans District’s population was over 65 with that figure expected to increase to 18% in 2026 (1).
Older people accounted for 7.5% of visits made to the Council’s leisure facilities.
Sport England research has shown that 42% of people aged 55 and over are inactive compared to 29% of the population as a whole (2).
Papers for the meeting, including the report on sporting and cultural activities for older people, are available here: bit.ly/2ibCgsT.
Councillor contact:
Anthony Rowlands, Chair of the Community, Environment and Sport Scrutiny Committee of St Albans City and District Council. Tel: 07761-232064 Email: anthonyrowlands@hotmail.com
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 296130
Email: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk
Note:
1. The Office for National Statistics’ figures can be viewed here: bit.ly/2ABHtkr
2. Sport England’s research can be viewed here: bit.ly/2zHLoyI