Live Well Age Well course: giving over-50s the tools to stay healthy and active

Throughout her life, Annette Brown has loved staying active, enjoying long walks and devoting time to Welsh gymnastics.

So when the opportunity came up to join Live Well Age Well, a free NHS course designed to maintain her physical and mental wellbeing, she jumped at the chance.

Run by rehabilitation coaches at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Live Well Age Well gives people over the age of 50 the chance to learn more about how to look after their health as they age.

The hour-long sessions, run twice a week for six weeks, start with a group discussion on healthy ageing, followed by a variety of simple exercises to improve movement and function.

“The course is absolutely inspirational,” said Annette, 79, from St Mellons, who took part in the course run at Eastern Leisure Centre, Llanrumney, on Mondays and Wednesdays.

“It’s not just about the little exercises; it’s learning about how to keep yourself healthy and fit - because you get a bit complacent as you get older.

“We are given a lot of tips on nutrition, balance and how to keep yourself safe. It’s also the social side of it that’s important as you’re mixing with other people who all have the same mindset.”

Annette, who is a great-grandmother, said she has taken the wealth of advice from the course leaders and used it in her day-to-day life. “They listen to everybody’s problems and try and tailor the support as much as possible,” she added.

“I’m coming up to 80 now, and I still feel really fit and active. I’ve started a WhatsApp group for all the members of the course, and we’re hoping to meet for coffee so we can keep in touch after it’s finished.”

The Live Well Age Well course has been co-produced by community members and professionals and is currently run in the following locations:

V21 Sbectrwm Centre, Fairwater (CF5 3EF)

Tuesdays and Thursdays

Eastern Leisure Centre, Llanrumney (CF3 4DN)

Mondays and Wednesdays

Barry Leisure Centre (CF63 4JJ)

Tuesdays and Fridays

Belle Vue Community Centre, Penarth (CF64 1DA)

Mondays and Thursdays

People can be referred to the course in a variety of ways, but can also sign up themselves via the Keeping Me Well website here.

Rob Jones, Live Well Team Lead, said: “The course is all about prevention. We want to support people earlier in life, helping them build the skills and confidence to look after themselves, become more physically active and play a bigger role in their communities.”

The group discussion element of the sessions covers a range of topics including how to improve your sleep, how to prevent falls, brain health and healthy eating. The exercise portion is also varied and can include improving strength, balance and general function.

“After the six-week course has finished, there’s the opportunity for people to continue to improve their health in the location they’ve done the course – and also in the wider community,” Rob explained. “The rehabilitation coaches will support them to access ongoing activities such as subsidised leisure membership, tai chi and Nordic walking. We link in with everybody.”

Rob said he’s seen people’s confidence blossom as a result of completing the Live Well Age Well course.

“People build close relationships and friendships with one another – and they continue exercising together in their communities.”

For more information about the Live Well Age Well course please visit the Keeping Me Well website. Alternatively, you can email Livewell.program.cav@wales.nhs.uk or call 02921 836945/07815645513.