Individuals aged over 60 in Wales can now take advantage of the newly launched 60-plus Active Leisure Scheme, which offers access to 125 free or discounted sports and fitness sessions. These sessions are available at leisure centres, community venues, and outdoor spaces across all 22 local authorities in Wales. Since its inception in 2021, the scheme has successfully delivered more than 10,750 sessions, attracting a remarkable 154,500 attendances.
The programme features a diverse range of activities, including pickleball, climbing, swimming, yoga, tai chi, walking groups, and strength training classes. In the past year alone, over 5,550 people participated in these sessions, which encompass 125 different types of exercise tailored to various interests and abilities.
Promoting Health and Wellbeing
The 60-plus Active Leisure Scheme is a collaborative effort funded by the Welsh Government and Sport Wales. It aims not only to enhance physical health but also to combat loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Participants have reported improvements in their overall wellbeing, citing the scheme as a catalyst for building stronger social connections within their communities.
Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, commented on the programme’s impact: “The 60-plus Active Leisure Scheme demonstrates the transformative power of physical activity in later life. As well as improving people’s physical activity levels, schemes like this help enormously with mental wellbeing, loneliness and social isolation.”
She emphasized that this initiative is crucial to supporting healthy, active ageing, ensuring that older individuals in Wales can enjoy a better quality of life as they age.
Addressing Health Challenges
The initiative aligns with the Welsh Government’s Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy, which seeks to tackle the high levels of overweight and obesity prevalent in the region. By encouraging older adults to engage in regular physical activity, the scheme contributes to broader public health goals.
Victoria Woods, Education and Health Lead at Sport Wales, stated, “The 60-plus Active Leisure Scheme shows how sport and physical activity can enrich lives at any age. By working with partners across Wales, we’re helping older people stay active, connected and confident, while supporting both physical health and mental wellbeing in their local communities.”
As the programme continues to grow, it stands as a testament to the positive role that physical activity can play in enhancing the lives of older adults in Wales, fostering a sense of community and improving health outcomes.
