We are Undefeatable

In the UK, 1 in 4 people (15 million) have at least one long-term health condition. What’s more, those living with these conditions are twice as likely to be inactive, even though it’s been found that increased activity can help in the management of more than 20 long-term health conditions, including depression and type 2 diabetes.

With the number of people living with long-term health conditions set to rise to 18 million by 2025, it’s more important than ever that people do whatever they can to get active. That needn’t be strenuous exercise, but trying to build small, incremental bits of daily activity into your day.

The desire for change

The appetite for positive change is clearly there. New research suggests that more than two-thirds of people living with long-term health conditions say they’d like to be more active, and are aware of the life-altering benefits it could have on them, whether that’s improvements to their mood or general wellbeing.

With this in mind, Age UK and 14 other charities in health and social care launching ‘We Are Undefeatable’, a national campaign with the ethos that when it comes to being active with a health condition, every small victory counts and is worthy of celebration.

We Are Undefeatable

We Are Undefeatable recognises that for many of us, including older people, there are barriers to getting active, whether that’s a lack of  energy, pain caused by their condition, or having unpredictable symptoms that makes commitment to routine exercise difficult.

“However big the health challenges you face may be, there’s always some kind of exercise for you,” says Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK National. “You’ll do yourself no end of good as a result. Even very modest amounts of activity make a difference to your physical health in later life and, just as importantly, to your state of mind too.

“For very frail and unwell older people it might simply mean doing some stretching exercises while sitting in a chair – that’s fine, we don’t expect everyone to run the marathon and it’s not appropriate that they do. Even the smallest amount will help, so why not give it a try?”

Being active as you get older

Getting older needn't mean an end to getting active, especially when it can have such a positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing. Not active at all? Not sure where to begin? We can help you to start at one of our Age UK Islington active Get Togethers.

Choosing your Active Get Together

Our Get Togethers take place both at the Age UK Islington activity centre, Drovers, and in Get Togethers around Islington. For some there is a small charge, but they are mostly free. These are a selection of our active Get Togethers that you might like to try:

“Walk & Talk” Get Together:  these take place every fortnight on a Thursday 2 – 4pm, with a new route each time, and a café stop in the middle. They often start from Finsbury Park or Archway tube.

“Islington Boccia League” Get Together:  this is a social ball game, played sitting down.  They meet once a month, no experience is needed, and everyone is welcome.

“Bloomin’ Gardeners” Get Together: meets every Wednesday 2 – 4pm, at Drovers, to tend our plots in Cally Park.  Whether you’re a keen gardener, or a novice, it’s a great way to keep active.

“Chair Pilates”: gentle exercise sitting down, £3.  This is a class at our Drovers activity centre, every Monday 3.30 – 4.30pm.

Sobell Centre Better Get Together, £2: get a great game of table tennis, badminton, bowls, Zumba, use of the gym, and very importantly, refreshments and a chat.  Tuesdays, 10.30am – 1pm.

Age UK Islington Get Togethers are for people over 50, interested in developing and finding new interests, and keeping active. As well as "active" Get Togethers, there are also coffee mornings and talks, creative sessions and trips to galleries and theatres.

You can simply go along to one of the activities and register to join in.  Or if you’re in need of some help getting going, then contact us, and we can help you to get started.  

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