A funding pot of £250,000 to support a programme to provide older adults in Cumbria and particularly those with or at risk of long-term health conditions, new and improved opportunities to be more active has been announced.

Active Cumbria, part of Cumbria County Council’s Public Health Team, is managing the reconditioning fund and is one of several Active Partnerships from across England involved in a national programme, Live Longer Better.

The movement aims to enable people to live longer better, reduce the need for health and social care and reverse the effects of lockdown.

Statistics show that by 2043, 31.4% of people in Cumbria will be aged 65+ compared to 23.9% in England. 

Research also shows that inactivity sharply increases with age, 29.1% of those aged 65-74 are inactive with this rising to 44.7% for those aged 75-84.

Now, organisations, groups and delivery partners are being invited to apply to the reconditioning fund which supports the Live Longer Better in Cumbria programme to develop new and increased opportunities for older adults to be more active. 

A maximum of £10,000 per application is available from a total funding pot of £250,000.

The fund will particularly focus on activities which increase physical ability and movement, resilience and health span; reduce the risk of dementia; and prevent and minimise the effects of illness.

We have a clear role to play in reducing health and wellbeing inequalities in our county” Bruce Lawson from Active Cumbria, said.

“The programme will enable us to directly support partners working with older adults and together provide opportunities for them to be more active.”

Director of Public Health, Colin Cox, said: “As Cumbria’s older population continues to grow in numbers, it’s vital that initiatives such as Live Longer Better in Cumbria encourage our older adult communities to participate in more physical activity.

Healthcare professionals, charitable organisations and physical activity providers who are currently working with or have an interest in working with older adults are actively encouraged to apply to the reconditioning fund and in the first instance should contact Clare Paling, Active Cumbria Older Adults Programme Lead by e-mail to clare.paling@cumbria.gov.uk. 

 

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