National Napping Day: Why a Short Snooze Might Be the Smartest Part of Your Day

National Napping Day highlights the benefits of short daytime naps and why a quick power nap can boost mood, focus, and productivity after the clocks change. 

Every year, the day after the clocks move forward for British Summer Time brings a surprisingly welcome observance: National Napping Day. 

Falling on the Monday after the spring time change, this unofficial holiday recognises something most of us secretly crave, a little extra sleep.

While losing an hour when the clocks go forward can leave many people feeling groggy, National Napping Day encourages us to recharge with a short daytime rest. 

But this day is about more than simply catching up on missed sleep. It’s also an opportunity to recognise the real health and productivity benefits of a well-timed nap.

Why We Feel So Tired After the Clocks Change

When the clocks move forward in March, our internal body clock, known as the circadian rhythm, doesn’t immediately adjust. Even losing just one hour of sleep can leave people feeling sluggish, irritable, and unfocused.

Studies have shown that the days following the clock change often bring increases in:

Workplace fatigue

Reduced concentration

Lower productivity

Higher accident rates

National Napping Day was originally created to help people acknowledge this temporary disruption and encourage healthier rest habits.

The Science Behind Power Naps

Far from being a sign of laziness, a short nap can actually improve both mental and physical performance.

Research into “power naps” suggests that a nap lasting 10–20 minutes can provide several benefits:

Improved alertness

Better memory and learning

Enhanced mood

Reduced stress

Greater creativity

Recuperation from illnesses such as COVID, 'flu, etc

Many successful professionals, athletes, and even historical figures were known fans of daytime naps.

For example, Winston Churchill famously believed a midday nap helped him stay productive during the intense pressures of wartime leadership.

How to Take the Perfect Nap

If you’re tempted to celebrate National Napping Day properly, there is a bit of technique involved.

Sleep experts generally recommend:

Keep it short

Aim for 10–20 minutes. Longer naps can leave you feeling groggy.

Nap earlier in the day

Early afternoon is ideal, when the body naturally experiences a dip in energy.

Create a calm environment

A quiet, comfortable space makes a huge difference.

Set an alarm

It prevents a quick nap turning into a full sleep cycle.

Even closing your eyes and relaxing for a short time can have restorative effects.

A Gentle Reminder to Slow Down

In a culture that often glorifies constant productivity, National Napping Day offers a refreshing reminder that rest is not wasted time. In fact, it can be one of the simplest ways to improve wellbeing and maintain focus throughout a busy day.

Whether you sneak in a quick power nap, take a quiet break with a cup of tea, or simply go to bed a little earlier tonight, the message is clear: sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest.

So if you find yourself yawning after the clocks change this spring, remember, you might just be celebrating National Napping Day exactly as intended.

Youth Sport Trust Conference Celebrates New Era for PE and School Sport as Government Extends Inclusion 2028 Grant

The Youth Sport Trust Conference 2026 brought together educators and partners from across the UK on 4th March 2026 at the Telford International Centre, Shropshire, for a key industry event exploring how physical education, sport and play can help young people be happy, healthy and thriving as we move into a new era for PE and School Sport.

During the event, School Standards Minister, Georgia Gould, addressed delegates via a recorded video message, announcing an extension of the Inclusion 2028 grant, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to improving access to inclusive sport and physical activity opportunities for young people across the country. 

The continuation of the Inclusion 2028 programme, led by Youth Sport Trust alongside a consortium of partners, will support more schools to embed inclusive practice through PE, sport and play.

An additional highlight of the event was the Youth Sport Trust Awards Dinner, held on the evening of 3rd March, hosted by TV presenter and Youth Sport Trust Early Years Champion, Radzi Chinyanganya. Schools, trusts and individuals were recognised for their commitment to creating positive change in the lives of young people through play, sport and physical activity. 

Red Roses legends Sarah Hunter and Abbie Ward and Managing Director of the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup, Sarah Massey, also joined the event for a fireside chat to reflect on their experience of the tournament, what it means for girls in the game, and the importance of school sport.

This year’s awards included a special accolade for Churchtown Primary School in Southport, Merseyside, which received recognition for an extraordinary community-led initiative centred around the healing and transformational power of play. 

Furthermore, pupils from Endeavour Learning Trust where also invited to open the event with a special performance, combining a powerful monologue with expressive dance, which honoured all of those impacted by the 2024 Southport attack.

Following the tragic loss of two much-loved pupils, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, in July 2024, the school worked with pupils, families and the wider community to channel their collective grief into community action. 

Through a range of pupil-driven fundraising events, including danceathons, colour runs, and a multi-school relay, more than £380,000 was raised to fund an inclusive play space designed to honour the memory of Alice and Bebe and to provide future generations of children with opportunities for play and connection.

At the Conference, Churchtown’s work stood as a moving example of the way schools can harness the power of play to build stronger, more connected communities, even in the face of unimaginable adversity, and how sport and play can influence children’s emotional as well as physical wellbeing.

Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO, told That's Health: “Churchtown Primary School’s inspiring story brought to life the essential connection between a school and its community, and it illustrates so powerfully how shared responsibility for children’s physical social and emotional development can rebuild hope and light amidst sadness and pain. 

"It's also a wonderful example of therapeutic and restorative power of play with the school’s memorial playground providing a safe and happy place for children to enjoy being active, being together and being free. We are honoured to celebrate the efforts of the school and its local community as part of our 2026 conference awards.

“Additionally, we were incredibly pleased to hear through a conference message from the Minister of State, Georgia Gould MP, the Government has announcement the next years funding for the Department for Education Inclusion 2028 grant programme. Just days before the start of the Winter Paralympics, this reinforces a commitment to inclusive opportunities in PE and the call from the British Paralympic Association for ‘equal play’ for every child. 

"Together with our Inclusion 2028 consortium partners and Youth Sport Trust Lead Inclusion Network, we have seen the impact this programme has made since 2017, and this sustained investment helps educators transform curricular and extra-curricular opportunities so all children can experience the life-changing benefits of PE, sport and play.”

Conference keynote speakers included UK Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields and environmental activist, Rob Hopkins. Dwayne Fields explored resilience, trauma-informed practice and the life-changing role of early opportunities, while Rob Hopkins challenged attendees on the power of collective imagination to create the future we want to see for happier, healthier young people.

Elsewhere across the Conference, delegates took part in practical workshops and discussions designed to help schools translate wellbeing ambition into measurable action, building on the recent launch of the Well Check accreditation as part of the Youth Sport Trust Well Schools movement. 

Sessions focused on supporting educators to evidence and strengthen whole-school approaches aligned to the four pillars of the Well Schools framework - Well Culture, Lead Well, Move Well and Live Well - placing student and teacher wellbeing at the heart of school life and enabling schools to demonstrate sustained, holistic impact.

FACTFILE: Youth Sport Trust is the leading UK children’s charity for improving young people's health and wellbeing through sport and play. 

They empower young people and equip educators to build brighter futures through the power of physical activity. Founded in 1995, they work with around 20,000 schools and provides opportunities for over two million children every year. 

Their vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport.

Their Well Schools movement brings together schools who are prioritising wellbeing alongside academic achievement. Schools can demonstrate their commitment to a whole-school approach through the free-to-access Well Check.

To learn more visit them at https://www.youthsporttrust.org

The future of group exercise is in your hands. Instructors asked for their opinions

Act now, national survey open until 15th March,  have your voice heard!

Calling all group exercise instructors in the UK: the largest and most significant national survey for group exercise instructors is now underway and you’re invited to take part!

Better support for instructors

Participation in the online survey is free and gives you, as a professional, an important chance to have your say. Commissioned by EMD UK, the National Governing Body for group exercise, in partnership with the Sport + Recreation Alliance, the survey is designed to help create better understanding of the group exercise workforce, leading to improved support for everyone working in the sector.

CEO of EMD UK, Dan Rees, told That's Health: “Group exercise instructors are at the heart of everything we do at EMD UK. 

"The Group Exercise Instructor Survey 2026 is the most comprehensive workforce assessment we’ve ever undertaken, and it gives instructors a powerful opportunity to shape the future of our sector. By sharing their experiences, challenges and ambitions, instructors will help us build stronger support, better representation and a more sustainable future for group exercise.”

Instructors do an incredible job

Yoga, Pilates, dance fitness, group PT, Spin, HYROX, aqua… instructors from every group discipline are invited to take part. It only takes 10-15 minutes to complete and everyone who does so will have the chance of being entered into a draw to win top prizes including a 3-night stay in Lanzarote and Sweaty Betty gift cards. You don’t have to be an EMD UK member to take part.

Research carried out last year by EMD UK revealed that group exercise contributes more than £5.3 billion in social value and saves the NHS over £511 million per year. This shows what an incredible job instructors are doing to inspire the nation to start and keep moving.

Dan added: “We know what a huge impact group exercise has on people’s physical and mental health and how it brings individuals and communities together. 

Through this survey, we want to know how we can best support instructors to grow their participation, and achieve the highest standards, better working conditions and job satisfaction, to thrive in their profession. But we can only do this effectively if instructors get involved to share their valued opinions.”

To fill out the survey, have your say and be in with a chance of winning one of the top prizes on offer, visit EMD UK Group Exercise Instructor Survey 2026. Survey closes 15th March.

You can find the survey here: https://www.research.net/r/GA17

Avocados Are Good For Women's Health

Yor D. Andonova

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the World Avocado Organisation (WAO)  is spotlighting the importance of nutrition in supporting women’s health at every stage of life, from fertility and hormonal balance to menopause and healthy ageing. 

Across Europe, millions of women navigate significant hormonal transitions throughout their lives. In Spain alone, nearly four million women are currently navigating the transition toward menopause, a natural biological stage that typically begins around 51 years of age, a time marked by significant hormonal changes.

Meanwhile, infertility affects approximately one in six couples in the UK, and one in four women in England experiencing a serious reproductive health issue, the need for informed conversation has never been greater. These figures highlight the importance of informed, evidence-based conversations around women’s health and lifestyle factors

In this context, nutrition and lifestyle play a fundamental role in supporting hormonal balance throughout the different stages of a woman’s life. For this reason, the World Avocado Organisation (WAO) has partnered with Yor D. Andonova, an integrative dietitian and psychoneuroimmunology specialist focused on digestive imbalances, microbiota and fertility, to explain how avocado can form part of a nutritional strategy that supports hormonal wellbeing and women’s health during key stages.

Inflammation, Stress and Women’s Health

Emerging scientific research increasingly highlights the role of chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in women’s health, particularly during periods of hormonal fluctuation such as fertility, perimenopause and menopause. As oestrogen levels shift, inflammatory responses and metabolic changes may become more pronounced, influencing long-term wellbeing.

“From a psychoneuroimmunology perspective, we know that chronic inflammation plays a key role in overall health. When insulin resistance, stress, poor gut health and/or a diet high in ultra-processed foods are present, the body responds with increased systemic inflammation.” explains the specialist.  “For this reason, during our reproductive years and throughout menopause, it is especially important to take care of our nutrition, manage stress effectively, prioritise restorative sleep, support gut and liver health, and engage in regular physical activity, particularly strength training.”

Avocados contain a wide range of bioactive compounds that show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, including flavonoids, phenolic acids and other phytochemicals naturally present in the fruit. Together with their naturally high content of monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, avocados align closely with dietary patterns associated with improved lipid profiles and reduced inflammatory markers.

Diet Quality, Fertility and Reproductive Outcomes

While fertility challenges are complex and influenced by multiple factors, emerging research suggests that overall diet quality plays a meaningful supportive role in reproductive health.

Studies indicate that replacing trans fats with monounsaturated fats is associated with improved ovulatory function in women, a key determinant of fertility. This is particularly relevant as avocados are naturally rich in monounsaturated fats and align closely with dietary patterns associated with reproductive wellbeing.

Further evidence from research examining women undergoing IVF treatment found that higher intake of monounsaturated fats was associated with improved embryo quality and higher pregnancy rates compared to diets higher in saturated or trans fats. 

Additionally, findings from the long-running Nurses’ Health Study suggest that women who followed a dietary pattern rich in plant-based foods, whole foods and healthy fats had a significantly lower risk of ovulatory infertility.

Beyond fat quality, fibre intake also plays an important role in reproductive and hormonal health. Dietary fibre supports gut microbiome balance and contributes to the regulation and elimination of circulating hormones, including oestrogen. 

Avocados contain approximately 6.7 g of dietary fibre per 100 g, making them a valuable contributor to daily fibre intake compared with many commonly consumed fruits and vegetables.

Taken together, this body of evidence reinforces the importance of nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory dietary patterns and overall lifestyle factors in supporting reproductive wellbeing.

Yor told That's Health: “nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to navigate these transitions, as the degree of inflammation and hormonal sensitivity largely depends on what we eat. During the reproductive years.

It's vital to ensure an adequate intake of high-quality proteins, which are necessary for hormone production and ovulation; iron-rich foods, zinc sources and B vitamins, all of which play a key role in energy metabolism and reproductive health; healthy fats to support hormone synthesis; Omega-3 fatty acids to help modulate inflammation and fibre to promote microbiome balance and support oestrogen elimination.”

Ultimately, she stressed that “what truly makes the difference is following a healthy dietary pattern, similar to the Mediterranean diet, based on real foods, plenty of vegetables and fruit, high-quality proteins, good nutritional density and healthy fats.”

Menopause, Metabolic Health and Long-Term Wellbeing 

Perimenopause and menopause represent not only the transition and end of reproductive years, but a significant metabolic shift in a woman’s life. During perimenopause, hormonal fluctuations begin to affect the body, and as oestrogen levels progressively decline through menopause, women may experience changes in fat distribution, lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, all of which can influence long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health.

These metabolic changes are reflected in the increasing prevalence of cardiometabolic conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, which often occurs during midlife. This highlights the importance of adopting dietary patterns that support metabolic health. Additionally, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women across Europe, especially after menopause. This emphasises the relevance of nutrition and lifestyle choices during this stage of life.

Avocados provide a unique combination of nutrients that align closely with these needs. Unlike most fruits, they are naturally rich in monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which can contribute to dietary patterns associated with improved lipid profiles and hormone production. Healthy fats play a structural role in cell membranes and are involved in hormone synthesis, both of which become especially relevant during periods of hormonal fluctuation.

As Yor explained “avocado fits very well within a dietary pattern aimed at supporting hormonal balance.” She highlights that “its nutritional profile combines monounsaturated fats, fibre, potassium, folate and antioxidant compounds. This combination promotes satiety, helps stabilise blood glucose levels, supports cardiovascular health and contributes to inflammatory balance,” she notes, aspects that are particularly relevant both during the reproductive years and throughout menopause.

Together, this nutritional profile positions avocado as a valuable component of anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy dietary patterns that support women’s wellbeing through menopause and beyond. Avocados provide significant satiety, especially during hormonal fluctuations when cravings for sweets may be heightened.

Supporting Women Through Knowledge, Not Pressure

This International Women’s Day, the World Avocado Organisation encourages open, evidence-based conversations around women’s health, from fertility and hormonal balance to perimenopause and menopause to healthy ageing.

Women’s well-being is shaped by many factors, and while no single food is a solution on its own, dietary patterns rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory nutrients can play a meaningful supportive role throughout life’s transitions. Avocado, with its unique combination of monounsaturated fats, fibre, folate and antioxidant bioactives, represents a simple, accessible way to align everyday meals with these principles.

WAO advocates for informed, sustainable choices that empower women to support their health at every stage of life. To make those choices a little easier (and a lot more delicious), WAO has created three nourishing, feel-good recipes designed to support and celebrate women everywhere.

You can find the recipes and more information here: http://www.worldavocadoorganisation.com

Two in three patients hide weight loss treatment from friends and family, new UK study finds

Simple Online Pharmacy publishes the UK’s largest study into GLP-1 stigma, revealing secrecy, judgement and a stark generational divide.

Two in three patients (66%) hide their GLP-1 treatment from some or all friends and family

Nearly 80% have been accused of taking the “easy way out”, and 68% were told to eat less and move more

1 in 5 patients (21%) say GLP-1 stigma directly influenced their decision to pursue treatment

Younger adults face the highest stigma yet are the most open to treatment

Two in three people using GLP-1 weight loss treatments are hiding their treatment from friends or family, according to new research from Simple Online Pharmacy, released on World Obesity Day. 

These findings demonstrate social judgement and stigma continue to shape how treatment is perceived, highlighting risks that threaten adoption, adherence and, therefore eficacy.

The study, based on over 3,000 GLP-1 patients alongside a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults, reveals secrecy is a defining feature of the treatment experience. 

While these medications are increasingly visible in headlines and on social media, many patients are choosing to stay quiet in real life.

Chief Clinical Officer, Abdal Alvi told That's Health: “People living with obesity are often told their weight is simply about willpower, yet when they seek medical support, they’re criticised for ‘cheating’ or taking the ‘easy way out’. 

"This leaves people judged both for having a chronic disease and for treating it. If we want to help people live healthier lives, we need to recognise obesity as a chronic medical condition and reduce the stigma that still surrounds treatment.”

Obesity remains one of the UKs most pressing public health challenges, with rising prevalence linked to increased rates of chronic disease, reduced quality of life and growing pressure on healthcare systems. 

At the same time, the emergence of GLP-1 treatments has marked a significant clinical shift, with patient data showing substantial improvements in overall health, mobility, confidence and the ability to sustain healthier lifestyle habits.

This research found a greater barrier to achieving the national benefits of obesity treatment is perception rather than clinical efficacy. 

Public understanding and attitudes towards GLP-1 treatment have not kept up with the pace of clinical progress. 

Social stigma fuels secrecy, shaping behaviour as patients who feel judged report delaying care, conceal treatment or manage it in isolation, affecting adherence and outcomes. 

Without evidence-led public narratives and consistent regulatory messaging, the UK risks limiting the benefits of treatment, reinforcing health inequalities and sustaining long-term pressure on the health system.

Stigma drives secrecy

66% of patients have hidden their treatment from some or all friends and family, and over a third (38%) say they experienced judgement for using GLP-1 treatments. 

Among those who faced criticism, nearly eight in ten (79%) report being accused of taking the “easy way out”, 68% were told to “just eat less and move more” and over quarters (79%) were told at least once that they’d “just put the weight back on”.

“I just haven't told anyone, not because of how I feel but the sentiments other people seem to have and share, I’ve had conversations with people at work, they say it’s the easy way out or cheating” Existing GLP-1 patient (female, age 37)

For many, stigma is a real barrier to care. One in five patients (21%) say social stigma was one of their top concerns when considering whether to pursue treatment at all, highlighting how social attitudes can shape healthcare choices.

The data also shows stigma is highly social and uneven. Younger adults are the most likely to hide treatment, with concealment peaking at 74% for Gen Z, compared with 60% among Boomers and 43% among Silent Generation patients.

 Women are also significantly more likely to conceal treatment than men (69% vs 53%), reinforcing the gendered nature of weight-related judgement. Whilst exposure to stigma or judgement via social media is even across age groups, women are around 20% more likely to face it via social platforms than men.

A generational shift in attitudes

The research points to a clear generational divide. Half of Gen Z respondents say they would consider or are already using GLP-1 treatments, compared with 20% of Boomers and 10% of Silent Generation respondents. Younger adults are also more likely to recognise that obesity is a chronic medical condition, rather than simply a lifestyle choice, while older groups believe more strongly that managing weight is just simply about lifestyle.

This creates a contradiction: the groups most open to treatment, and most understanding of obesity as a chronic disease, not just a lifestyle choice, are also the most likely to hide their treatment journey from friends and family.

“Framing obesity purely as a lifestyle issue often fuels the perception that treatment is the ‘easy way out’, which can discourage people from seeking support. The language used in media, healthcare and everyday conversations matters – judgemental or triggering messaging can reinforce stigma, while supportive, respectful communication helps patients feel safe, understood and more able to engage with treatment,” said Laura Perez, Clinical Nutrition Lead at Simple Online Pharmacy.

Real lives vs public narratives

Despite public perception of GLP-1 treatment as a short-term fix, a shortcut and an “easy way out”, an overwhelming 92% of patients report improvements in their overall health, alongside gains in energy, mobility and confidence. Many also describe long-term lifestyle changes, with 88% saying treatment has helped them sustain healthier eating and activity habits rather than replace them.

This research also shows patients try an average of four different weight loss methods before starting GLP-1 medication, suggesting medical support often follows years of effort, rather than replacing it.

With 62% of consumers still saying they would never consider GLP-1 treatment, the research highlights a growing gap between perception and lived experience. While outcomes are improving, public discourse remains heavily shaped by stigma, outdated narratives about willpower, and the idea that medical weight management is “too easy.”

Effective pharmacological interventions are now well established, yet the challenge that remains is one of alignment. Bridging the gap between public perception and clinical reality will be critical to supporting appropriate uptake, sustained adherence and the more effective use of health system resources.

The full report can be found at www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk/research/stigma-survey.

Hestia aims to reach 5,000 Safe Spaces by end of year – as someone seeks refuge in a bank or pharmacy every day

Crisis support charity, Hestia has today called for more community-based organisations to join its Safe Spaces scheme to reach 5,000 locations by the end of the year, as the charity and TSB find over two thirds (68%) of polling respondents are unaware of domestic abuse help available on the high street.

Currently, there are 4,283 Safe Spaces across the UK, with pharmacies accounting for 60% of the network and banks 40%.

Safe Spaces provide secure and discreet refuge for those seeking to escape an abuser and access support and signposting. 

Locations across the UK are in addition to Safe Spaces online, which ensure people can find services discreetly if they are unable to visit a physical location.

Hestia data shows someone accessed a Safe Space in a pharmacy or bank every day last year. Accompanying polling by Hestia and TSB polling shows almost a third (28%) of respondents know someone who has sought help related to domestic abuse. 

A quarter of women (25%) and almost a fifth (19%) of men reported having experienced domestic or economic abuse. Official figures from the ONS reveal that approximately one in four (25.8%) people experience domestic abuse in their lifetime,

During No More Week, Hestia, backed by participating pharmacies and banks is raising awareness of this vital schem, as the charity and TSB finds over nine in 10 (92%) are unaware that some banks offer Safe Spaces, and almost four fifths (79%) are unaware that some pharmacies offer the scheme. And almost six in 10 (57%) had not heard of Safe Spaces at all.

Domestic abuse can lead to serious physical and mental harm, and in the worst cases, loss of life.

Of those (22%) who had experienced abuse – three quarters (76%) said it had impacted them financially. Debt (52%), Lacking money confidence (36%), Poverty (33%), and Credit rating, (31%) were the most common issues faced.

The banks and pharmacies offering the scheme have specially trained colleagues able to provide victim-survivors with access to private spaces where they can make confidential phone calls to helplines, or friends and family members.

Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive, Hestia, told That's Health: "Safe Spaces is a powerful example of what can be achieved when the charity and business sector come together to find innovative solutions for societal problems. 

"We launched Safe Spaces during the pandemic, and it continues to grow and be used every day by people experiencing domestic abuse.

“The impact is life-changing, and in some cases lifesaving. We are hugely grateful to our many partners including TSB who are the backbone of this vital support on the high street, and we urge other community-based organisations to come forward and join the scheme to ensure we can reach everyone who needs us.”

Kate Osiadacz, Head of Responsible Business, TSB, said: “We’ve seen first-hand the life-changing impact that Safe Spaces in branch, and online can have, in helping people escape an abusive and dangerous situation.

“With an alarming rate of domestic and economic abuse across the UK, we would encourage all relevant businesses to use their resources to provide what can be vital refuge and routes to safety.”

https://www.hestia.org

Age Concern Hampshire launches five-year ‘Living Well in Later Life’ project with National Lottery support

Age Concern Hampshire is proud to announce the launch of Living Well in Later Life, a new five-year programme made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. 

The project will support older people across Hampshire to stay active, connected and confident as they age.

Living Well in Later Life will offer free physical activities and wellbeing sessions delivered through Age Concern Hampshire’s Care & Wellbeing Centres and local community venues. 

The sessions are designed especially for older people who may feel isolated, inactive or unsure about joining mainstream activities, offering a gentle, friendly way to move more, meet others and feel part of their community.

Sessions will focus on strength, balance, mobility and confidence, while also creating space for conversation, laughter and connection. Everything is shaped around what older people tell us they want and need.

The project is expected to make a real difference, with ambitions for:

70% of participants to become more physically active

65% to improve their balance, strength or mobility

75% to feel better in themselves and less isolated

80% to feel more connected to their local community

Alongside the benefits for older people, Living Well in Later Life will invest in staff and volunteer development, with specialist training to support safe, inclusive activity for older adults. This will help embed prevention, wellbeing and physical activity at the heart of Age Concern Hampshire’s services for years to come.

Volunteers are a vital part of this project, and Age Concern Hampshire is now keen to hear from people interested in supporting groups in the Basingstoke and Southampton areas. V

olunteers don’t need to be fitness experts, just friendly, reliable and keen to help older people feel welcome and supported. Training and ongoing support will be provided.

The project also encourages people to think about wellbeing in a wider sense, helping older adults feel connected not only to their communities, but to the world around them, including the importance of sustainability and looking after our environment aart of healthy ageing.

For more information about Living Well in Later Life, volunteering opportunities, or other Age Concern Hampshire services, visit www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk or call 01962 868545.