IT IS well known that keeping active has no end of health benefits but as people get older the amount of activity they do decreases.

The most recent Active People Survey from Sport England suggests that just over 11 per cent of people in Worcestershire over the age of 65 are taking part in sport and recreational activity three or more times a week.

And yet it is as important to stay active in later years as it is during the rest of life. Worcestershire has significantly more emergency admissions for hip fractures in those aged over 65 years compared to the national average.

With 30 per cent of over 65s who live in the community falling each year – there could be as many as 32,000 older people falling in Worcestershire every year. One of the reasons for this is loss of strength and balance due to inactivity.

Being active is one of the most important things anyone can do for their health and well-being whatever their age and it is never too late to start. People start to feel better within weeks of being more active, they meet new people, make new friends and it doesn’t even have to cost anything.

An Active Ageing Campaign is being held in Worcestershire in the first week of October to coincide with National Older People’s Day on October Thursday 1.

The campaign is being used to focus on how important it is for older people to continue to be physically active as they age and allowing the districts in Worcestershire to showcase the activities that they have taking place around the county.

Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for health Councillor Marcus Hart said: “Winter can be a challenging time, especially for vulnerable and older residents. We know that more people die from the cold, increase their risk of falling and serious illness. We urge people to get involved in this important campaign and find out how to keep warm and well this winter”.

One of the events during the week-long campaign in Worcestershire is Silver Sunday Steps, which is part of the national Silver Sunday event On October 4. Silver Sunday is an annual day of fun and free activities for older people across the UK and celebrates the value and contribution of older people to communities. Everyone can get involved, organizing an event, spreading the word or simply attending an activity.

Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire, with the University of Worcester, the Sports Partnership Herefordshire & Worcestershire and the Worcester Ramblers are organizing Silver Sunday Steps - a morning of walking for all over 50s, family, friends and carers.

Starting and finishing at the University of Worcester St. John’s Campus, Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ, people can choose from a gentle walk of three and a half miles or a longer ramble of seven miles. Anyone with limited mobility, or not sure about their fitness, can still join in the ‘University Mile’ - just one mile on even pathways.

The first Silver Sunday Steps was held last year and was a great success with over 40 people walking the Riverside footpath in Worcester. Everyone enjoyed the event, making friends along the way, and feeling inspired to do more walking after the event.

There is no charge for this event and each walk will be led by experienced and qualified walk leaders. Free tea, coffee and cake will be served at the Sports Centre for returning walkers, where information will be available on joining local regular walk groups.

For more details, including start times, please call Bronwen, Sue or Sandy at Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire on 01905 740950. Any walking groups wanting to get involved with this event should call the same number for information.

There are a number of events taking place across the county to encourage more people to get active. The Rooftop Housing is organising an opportunity for people to meet an active lifestyles team in Evesham on Thursday October 1 at Ferry View, Evesham, from 10am to 12 noon to get help and advice. South Worcestershire College will be offering pampering sessions as part of the same initiative.

There are currently more than 17 strength and balance classes helping people improve their muscle and bone strength as well as their balance and stability.

Jean Bolter, who attends a Strength and Balance Class at Crab Tree Court in Bromsgrove, said: “I joined the exercise group after discussing the matter with my GP. I had a fall which upset my balance and I was having difficulty in walking generally due to arthritis in both my ankles causing my hamstrings to tighten.

“After just over 12 months, I could not believe how much better I am all round - so much so that, after my initial course of 32 weeks finished, I joined an identical group running in Bromsgrove so that I was attending twice a week.

“I no longer have pain wiht walking and my balance has definitely improved tremendously. I now do not have to seek a car park very close to my destination because of the pain in my thighs when walking.

“I am definitely more confident than I was before joining the classes and feel safer walking around on my own now. Since joining both the classes in Bromsgrove, I have met some lovely new people and made a few friends as a consequence of this.”

Linda Adey attends the same class in Bromsgrove and said: ““Following chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and months of inactivity, I suffered from severe breathlessness. I was hardly able to walk and couldn't climb stairs due to muscle atrophy.

“A friend told me about these classes and my GP referred me. Initially I found the classes quite difficult and exhausting, but was always encouraged to only do as much as I was able. In the early weeks the exercises were all done sitting on a chair and, after only a few weeks, I was less breathless and able to attempt the exercises standing.

“Within a few months my muscle tone and balance had improved such that I was able to resume some low level activities between sessions, including climbing the stairs so that I could sleep in my own bed.

“Now, one and a half years on, I cannot believe the progress I have made. Although I still use a rollator if walking any distance, I am now more confident to go out alone. Improved balance means I feel less likely to fall. I now attend two classes and, in both, the atmosphere is very friendly and the attendees are sociable and very welcoming to newcomers.”

There are a range of activities people can do in Worcestershire to keep themselves well including walking - visit http://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk; cycling - visit http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20209/cycling/604/cycling_in_worcestershire for local cycling routes; swimming - visit http://www.morethansport.com/page.asp?section=000100010049; bowls – contact the Sports Partnership to find a club; park run – visit www.parkrun.org.uk; activities for the disabled – visit http://www.disabilitysportworcester.org.uk/.

For more information contact the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire on 01905 855498 or email PSI@worc.ac.uk