New lease of life

To mark UK Day for Older People on October 1, Hull in print looks at plans to improve the quality of life for people aged 50-plus in the city.

Keeping fit: John Brady takes a workout in the gym

Eating out with friends: pensioners make the most of the centre's 80 seat restaurant and its healthy meals at reasonable prices served up by helpful and friendly staff

Just a few years ago Hull pensioner John Brady had trouble climbing the 14 steps to the front door of his Greatfield flat. But now he feels so fit he can run up them.
The 75-year-old's change in well-being is due to taking part in gym sessions at the Age Concern Healthy Living Centre in Porter Street, Hull city centre.
"I visit the centre's gym about twice a week because I like the people there," says John, a retired Hull seaman and widower.
"Arthritis in my knee was making it difficult for me to go out, but when a warden at the sheltered accommodation where I live suggested I go to the gym I soon noticed the benefits.
"Exercise removes the pain and stiffness from my leg. I'm now so much better that I can walk with bags of shopping up and down Southcoates Lane - and to my flat - without any problems."
John is one of the tens of thousands of people in Hull, aged 50 plus, who use the centre every year.
Set up five years ago with the help of an £867,000 grant from the council, the building is designed to be a lifeline for older people.
As well as keeping fit in the gym, visitors to the centre can make use of chiropody, reflexology and breast screening services; a hydrotherapy pool, Jacuzzi and steam room; and have a healthy lunch with friends in the centre's 80-seat restaurant.
Sequence, line and tap dancing sessions and carpet bowls are held in the centre's sports hall which sports a sprung dance floor.
There is also the chance to use computers and the Internet and learn new skills at a series of adult education classes including local history and conversational French and German.

Being part of it all

"One of the biggest problems older people face is isolation," says Trevor Whitfield, the Joint Chief Officer of Age Concern Hull.
"If they spend long periods of time stuck at home, with only the television for company, there is a good chance that their physical and mental health will suffer.
"Our aim is to give older people a place to meet, make new friends, have a good laugh and a joke, and take part in activities to stimulate the body and mind.
"By doing so their well-being improves and the results can be amazing."
The proof that the centre works is in the 63,000 older people who have passed through the centres doors in the past 12 months.
There has also been three marriages by couple's who have met at the centre.
Trevor added: "It's a place that is giving older people a new lease of life."
Meanwhile, Hull City Council is hoping to build on this and many other services for the over 50s and their families with its Older People's Strategy.
In broad terms, the strategy – which is still on the drawing board – will focus on services such as health, housing, transport and education and how they can be made to better respond to the individual needs of older people.
The council will devise the strategy in consultation with older people, voluntary and community groups, and health and social service providers in the city.
"Hull has an ageing population," says Angela Dunn, the council's head of community services.
"We want to improve the quality of their lives, their health and well-being, and assist them to make a positive contribution to the local community."

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For more information on council services for older people, please visit www.hullcc.gov.uk Age Concern Hull can be contacted on (01482) 324644.