Later Life Conversation Series

The Later Life Conversation Series explores the societal challenges of an ageing population, insight into support and services available in Norwich and Norfolk. The series aims to encourage an open conversation about challenges and opportunities of later life. 

Episode 1 | Dementia 

As part of Dementia Awareness Week, our first episode in this series looks at the complexities of dementia, exciting research at the UEA, and the challenges and benefits of an active and connected lifestyle.  

Chaired by retired journalist and Age UK Norwich supporter, Pete Kelley, the panel included Dr Michael Grey, Reader in Rehabilitation Neuroscience at the UEA and a researcher for the SCORES Project, an independent research study designed to better understand the cognitive health of athletes as they age; Helen Burgess, Director of Marketing & Content at AgeSpace, and Dan Skipper, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Norwich. 

Episode 2 | Healthy Ageing

In this episode of our Later Life Conversation Series we look at healthy ageing as part of our Age Healthy Campaign 2021. We explore what healthy ageing looks like, the benefits of being fit and healthy as we age, the reasons why it can be challenging to keep active in later life, and the small steps you can take which could help make a big difference to your health.

We were joined by Ben Jones, Director of Active Norfolk, Steven Hitcham, Director of EPIC Norfolk (Exercising People in Communities) and a qualified instructor specialising in older people, and Dan Skipper, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Norwich.

Episode 3 | Diversity

In this episode of our Later Life Conversation Series we look at diversity and the challenges charities can face in reaching out to ethic minorities, especially when supporting those in later life.

Alongside our Community and Neighbourhood Support Manager, Sam Apeh, we were joined by Dee Robinson, founder of the charity New Routes Integration who works with and supports refugees, asylum seekers and isolated migrants, and promotes cross-cultural integration and community awareness, and their Co-Chair Robert Manning.

Episode 4 | Poverty

In this episode of our Later Life Conversation Series we discuss poverty. We look at how poverty is defined,how much the majority of our work is related to helping older people living in poverty, what the reasons are for people being in poverty and the wider implications of this.  

Looking at this topic, our Information and Advice Manager Jo Willingham was joined by Hannah Worsley, Project Manager at Norwich Foodbank, and Emily Balsdon, Director of Norfolk Community Advice Network, an alliance of  charities providing accredited social welfare and legal advice.