Live longer and stronger!
From age 50 we naturally lose muscle, bone density and balance, but being active can reverse this.
Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines on physical activity for older people.
Click here for Ageing well by being active everyday leaflet
Local organisations and opportunities to help you enjoy becoming more active.
Step up to Falls
Older people are more vulnerable to falls with around 1 in 3 adults over 65 and half of people over 80 experiencing at least one fall a year (NHS).
Prevention is better than cure, so follow a few top tips to help you stay safe at home.
- Use a non-slip mat at the front and back door.
- Improve lighting in your hallways and passages.
- Fit a second handrail on stairs for added support and replace loose or damaged steps.
- Use a bedside lamp and avoid clutter in bedrooms as we can be slower and stiffer after sleeping.
Strength training and balance exercises are increasingly important as we age. These can help to build stronger muscles and keep you steadier on your feet.
You can sign up for a Falls Prevention Group Exercise Programme – an initiative run by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with Active Belfast.
This is a 12 week exercise programme for people over 65 and takes place in locations across the city, offering functional, task-specific exercises to help decrease the risk of falling.
Step up to Stop Falls!
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with Active Belfast are pleased to announce the continuation of its Falls Prevention Group Exercise Programmes. Let us help you return to structured exercise in a safe environment, increase your physical activity levels, challenge your strength & balance, promote general wellbeing, and ultimately reduce your risk of falling.
HAVE YOU
Click here for Strength & Balance poster
Click here for Top Tips Falls Prevention poster
If you answered Yes to one or more of the above, live within the Belfast Trust area and are aged 65 or over, you may be eligible to attend a 12-week Strength & Balance Exercise Programme.
This 12 consecutive week Strength & Balance Programme is free of charge.
Current Locations:
- Andersonstown Leisure Centre, 132 Andersonstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9BY
- Avoniel Leisure Centre, Avoniel Road, Belfast BT5 4SF
- Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, BT14 6EG
- Hanwood Centre, Kinross Avenue, Belfast, BT5 7GE
- LORAG/Shaftesbury Recreation Centre, 97 Balfour Avenue, Belfast BT7 2EW
- Olympia Leisure Centre, Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6HR
(Please contact us for further information on day and time of classes. Venues are subject to change)
CONTACT DETAILS:
If you would like to attend one of the programmes, please telephone 028 9504 7656 or email: FallsServices@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Website: www.makinglifebettertogether.com
Other opportunities across Belfast to Be Active
Age Friendly Tea Dances – NO NEED TO BOOK just drop in
13th August 2024 2-4pm 2 Royal Avenue
10th September 2024 2-4pm 2 Royal Avenue
Connection Hub – The Grapevine, 2 Royal Avenue
Drop in at our hub for older people on any Tuesday morning.
Come along, have coffee and catch up with older people in the city. The Grapevine is open from 11am to 2pm. It is free and you don’t need to book.
At the event, volunteers from Age Friendly Belfast can help you find out about events, activities and services that can enhance health and wellbeing.
This Connection Hub was created by the Greater Belfast Seniors’ Forum in partnership with the Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership and Age-friendly Belfast. The Grapevine is supported through a seeding grant fund from the Belfast Health Development Unit and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Key contacts across the Belfast area
Active Belfast Senior Lead Officer:
Kim Kensett
Active Belfast Physical Activity Referral Coordinator:
Gareth Coleman
Gareth.Coleman@bhdu.org 07780116119
Age Friendly Coordinator:
Joanna Holland
infos@belfastcity.gov.uk 07827823998
Belfast City Council Seniors Information https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/seniors
Older, Active & Connected Programme Co-ordinator:
Kerri McCarry
Kerri.mccarry@belfasttrust.hscni.net 028 9504 5257
Physical Activity Lead and Walking for Health Coordinator:
Ben Hanvey
Ben.Hanvey@belfasttrust.hscni.net 02895043295 or 07951230903
FallsServices@BelfastTrust.hscni.net
028 9504 7656