Ageing Well Public Talks 2024-25

In the 'Ageing Well Public Talk series' we are exploring how important it is, over our lifespan, to maintain well-balanced nutrition and hydration as well as regular physical and social activity in older age, also known as the 'Five Pillars of Ageing Well'. Ageing demonstrates most significantly when we reach a certain age, the usual benchmark being 65+, but ageing starts much sooner and the way ageing demonstrates when we are over 65 depends on decisions we have been making over our life span.

The series and related materials such as ‘The Five Pillars of Ageing Well’ became the cornerstones of further engagement with the public, specifically around COVID-19 and the relating self-isolation, which are now available on the OU website and the Internet.

The overall aim of these series of interventions is to facilitate a step change in user behaviour and support service provision. Self-management and becoming partner in our own health care is an important aspect of these talks. This may have a wider impact in healthcare economies, as ageing and related co-morbidities have a substantial health and economic burden footprint.

AWPTS is a highly adaptable tool for addressing also the needs of diverse groups requiring tailored interventions, for instance, heart failure and diabetes, where prevention and sustained self-management are crucial for improving quality of life. Since 2019, over 25,000 members of the public have engaged with the talks nationally, and the AWPTS portfolio of resources has engaged over 90,000 people globally; our regular feedback confirms that this intervention has increased knowledge of age-related processes, attitudes to health and wellbeing, confidence in self-management and lifestyle choices for healthy ageing among the public as well as practitioners, professionals, and clinicians who support ageing populations in their professional roles.

All talks last between 60-90 min & you can click on the links below to find more about our presenters or see the attached synopsis.

SEASON 6 - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 24/25

Talk 1: 18th September2024 – Are we ready to live longer & Take Five to Age Well in Scottish Communities

In this session Doug and colleagues will share learning from his experiences working with older people directly in the community, to age well. Recently Age Scotland with Doug as Lead, piloted offline pledge working with diverse groups of participants alongside the main Take Five to Age Well Pledge. Offline pledging explored how older people benefit from peer support, group facilitators while using primarily paper-based resources to enable participation by those who prefer or require alternatives to digital engagement.   

Talk 2: 16th October 2024 – Dying Well

In this talk Victoria Hedges and Victoria Bradley will present on what are the things we don’t talk about & preparing for our death and as a relative preparing for someone else’s death. We will also talk about ways we can take some of the control over our dying and what are the ways we can co-create our care plans.

Talk 3: 13th November 2024 - Cognitive Connections: The Influence of Prior Knowledge in Everyday Memory 

In our day-to-day lives, we intuitively link new experiences with our existing knowledge, enhancing memory retention and recall. In this talk, we will explore how novelty and prior knowledge impact memory processing. 

Talk 4: 11th December 2024 – Access to learning and nature – addressing health inequalities 

Yoseph will be talking about creating an intergenerational community of nature enthusiasts, operating both virtually and in person. He will look at community walking group experience, access and learning, and using nature storytelling. Sonal will consider how inequalities in access to, and experience of green spaces can affect the benefits different sections of society gain from engaging with nature, including health and wellbeing outcomes.  Together they will explore how we can try to overcome these differences.  

Talk 5: 22nd January 2025 - Exploring the many ways of staying active while ageing! 

Beti (Exercise is wonderful, but all is not hunky dory) will be discussing how the integration of physical activity into our daily lives in later years can be transformative. Her insights will also explore how ageism remains a feature of today’s society and considers, how can we use the five pillars for ageing well to ensure we can continue to thrive and enjoy our later lives? 

Volunteers can engage in a wide range of activity and in many different contexts. In this session Fiona and Michelle (Volunteering for health and wellbeing) explore how individuals can derive health benefit from their volunteering and how organisations can support volunteers’ well-being. 

Talk 6: 12th February 2025 - Lifelong learning – How the continual renewal of skills benefits us all 

In this talk we will highlight the key role that unions play in providing access to learning and skills to adults in their working lives and beyond.  We will share some examples where access to learning for personal and professional development (e.g. within health and social care) has a positive impact to individuals, families, workplaces and the wider community, where lifelong learning is vital at any age. 

Talk 7: 19th March 2025 – Sleep, the Ageing Brain and Maintenance Cognitive Therapy

In this session Rachel will explore ageing and how we can support our brain with Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) a programme of fun and engaging activities and discussion, aimed at general enhancement of cognitive and social functioning. Also, Dr Jill McGarry (Sleep and the ageing brain) will highlight the new understandings we have about the importance of sleep and describe common age-related issues with getting enough shuteye, along with de-mystifying what sleep hygiene is / isn’t and what you can do to master a great night's sleep especially in the later stages of life. 

Talk 8: 16th April 2025 - Evidence based actions supporting better mental wellbeing for all

In Charlotte’s talk we will have an opportunity to explore the support Turning Point UK in Warwickshire offers to ageing populations with learning disabilities around building confidence, getting out and about, accessing community, socialisation and learning while ageing. 

Talk 9: 14th May 2025 - Supporting body and mind through exercise and nutrition while ageing

In this talk, Karen and Romina will explore practical ways in which we can use everyday activities to maintain our physical health and functional independence. Karen will explore physical wellbeing and how finding something you love and sticking with can also help you form routines, friendships, and social connections which in turn may enable you to maintain healthy habits whilst nurturing your overall wellbeing. 

Romina will delve into the crucial role nutrition plays in supporting brain health, sustaining energy levels, balancing hormones, and promoting cellular vitality as we age. Discover evidence-based nutritional recommendations and practical strategies to enhance cognitive function, bolster energy reserves, optimise hormonal balance, and safeguard cellular health. From nutrient-rich foods to essential lifestyle habits, learn how to empower yourself to thrive at every stage of life. 

Talk 10: 11th June 2025 -  Queer(ing) Ageing: Sexual and Gender Diversity in Later Life 12- 1:30PM

Please note this talk will take place at the later time thank usual starting at 12-1.30pm 

How do sexual and gender diversity shape the life course? How do people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities age authentically? What are the obligations of an ageing society to sexual and gender minorities? In this talk, Jonathan will examine these questions, helping to increase understanding of how queer theory and critical gerontology can work in tandem to shape everyone’s understanding of ageing and healthy longevity. 

Talk 11: 16th July 2025 – Queer ageing, affirming LGBTQ+ identity, language, culture, and history 

In this talk we will explore identity, its shifting nature, and how community can help affirm ones inner most concept of themselves.