Norfolk to get share of £1.9m to help older people stay active
Age UK Norfolk will offer tailored activities to encourage exercise
Age UK Norfolk is set to get a share of a £1.9 million grant provided by the London Marathon Foundation, aimed at supporting initiatives that promote physical activity among older people.
The funding will enable Age UK Norfolk, along with nine other local Age UK branches, to deliver a range of bespoke programmes over the next two years. Targeted at those aged 65 and over, the initiatives will include one-to-one mentoring, physical activity classes, and community events such as park walks.
The London Marathon Foundation, which receives surplus funds from its associated events, aims to inspire year-round activity, according to their group funding and impact director Mike Diaper.
Diaper said, “We’re committed to inspiring activity for people of all ages and abilities. From early years through to later life, we want everyone to experience the physical, social, and mental health benefits that come with being active. By working together, we’ll reach more older people in underserved communities and support them to move more and live healthier, more connected lives.”
Age UK Chief Executive Paul Farmer emphasised the significance of this investment for the charity’s efforts to get older people active, particularly those who are most sedentary.
Farmer said, “We are incredibly grateful to the London Marathon Foundation for this £1.9 million investment, which represents a major step forward for Age UK’s work around physical activity. Crucially, this support will help us build a lasting legacy by making physical activity central to healthy ageing.”
Age UK Norfolk is among the local branches in Bradford, County Durham, Enfield, Hull and East Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Lincolnshire, Salford and Trafford, Teesside, and Wolverhampton that will deliver the programme.
Details on how residents in Norfolk can participate will be announced in the coming months.
The funding is part of the Foundation’s Strategic Partnerships Fund dedicated to expanding effective physical activity initiatives across the UK, with other projects such as the junior parkrun also benefiting.