Darlington Age UK joins research project

4:32pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

AGE UK Darlington is joining a national project researching the benefits enjoyed by elderly people who join clubs.

The year-long Lottery funded project will add to the charity’s successful Fit as a Fiddle scheme which has run for five years in Darlington and seen over 3,000 people take part in fitness activities and health events.

Now the project will work with local GPs, health professionals and other agencies to look into the benefits experienced by people who are over 50 taking part in sociable activities.

Gillian Peel, chief executive of Age UK Darlington, said: “We have observed that most conditions will benefit from joining in with either physical activities or other activities such as art classes and this project will hopefully provide some concrete evidence.”

Those taking part in the research will be asked to complete three questionnaires throughout the duration of the project and anyone interested in getting involved can contact project organiser Gill Watson on 01325 362832.

Comments(1)

John Justice says...
2:54am Thu 6 Sep 12

I work with elderly people who due to the death of their husband or wife or for whatever reason find themselves living alone in their 70 or 80s. Many suffer from some form of mental health illness. Many are also alone without family or friends visiting or have little or no social life outside their homes.The most significant part of their lives I suggest is loneliness with little or no opportunity to get out to visit or take part in suitable social events that will stimulate or interest them. Society seems to forget the aged population once they are behind closed doors. Cost is also a factor as is ability to access social events. It seems obvious to me that such activities mentioned will naturally benefit people over 50 especially those much older in life. We need to provide facilities and access to them to the aged as a matter of course then all of us will benefit.

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