By Joshua Robinson –
Community projects in Yorkshire and the Humber are hosting events to mark a national anti-ageism Action Day organised by the Centre for Ageing Better on Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Local community groups are bringing people together as part of the Age Without Limits campaign’s See and Be Seen Action Day, which aims to counter the negative stereotypes of older age that are prominent throughout society.
Events hosted by community projects in Yorkshire and the Humber include:
- Calder Valley Strollers (Calderdale, West Yorkshire) is organising a colourful community event that combines a walk and a walking football match. Participants will wear vibrant clothing, carry banners, and wearing specially designed t-shirts to get the ball rolling on the topic of ‘See and Be Seen’. Walking Football is an activity which has been designed specifically for those aged 50+. Event details: Sunday 24 March. Address: Centre Vale Park, Burnley Road, Todmorden OL14 7DE and Todmorden Sports Centre, Ewood Lane, Todmorden OL14 7DF
- Leeds Older People’s Forum (Leeds) is coordinating a city-wide intergenerational campaign to spark conversations about ageism and support local older people to See and Be Seen. Co-produced by the age-friendly Steering Group, this initiative is working with local schools, colleges, universities, and youth groups. The campaign will be calling their 300 ambassadors to volunteer, spreading awareness across Leeds. Selfie frames will be available so people can capture their support and continue the conversation online. Action day: Wednesday 20 March, across Leeds.
- New Visuality (York) is hosting an intergenerational storytelling and art exhibition across three different locations in York. Recognising that older residents are increasingly left out of community conversations; the stories of older residents will be amplified so they can ‘See and Be Seen’. Ageism’s impact on exclusion will be addressed through informal conversations led by a team of teenage advocates. These dialogues will inspire unique art pieces, which will then be showcased across the city. Event details: 16th March – 24th March, The exhibition will be public in the following locations on 20th March: Bar Convent Heritage Living Centre (YO24 1AQ), Melbourne Centre (YO10 4AW) and Acomb Library (YO24 3BZ).
- Arts and Culture Community Centre (Doncaster) invites the local community to attend a Golden Gala Night. An array of performances, including singing, poetry, storytelling, national dances, drama, and music. There will also be a Retro Fashion Show and art exhibition. The event will showcase diverse talents, to shift perceptions and demonstrate that creativity knows no age boundaries. Event details: Saturday 16th March 2024 3pm to 7pm; The Crossing 90 Urban Road DN4 0EP
New research from the Centre for Ageing Better reveals that 43% of people aged 50 and above in Yorkshire and the Humber believe that the voices of older people are not sufficiently represented and heard regarding changes and developments where they live. The Age Without Limits campaign is hoping to put a spotlight on ageism such as this, which it calls the ‘hidden’ prejudice.
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The new survey also reveals the broader views of people aged 50 and above in Yorkshire and the Humber:
- 48% said there are not enough activities and groups in their area that allow you to feel connected to your local community and meet with other people
- 29% said they felt less valued in their community as they age
- 22% feel like they are treated negatively within their community because of their age
- 14% said their local community wasn’t a good place to grow older in
People living in Yorkshire and the Humber had a higher satisfaction of growing older in their community than residents in Greater London, but a lower level of satisfaction than Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Age Without Limits campaign is highlighting the need for a more diverse and balanced representation of older people, with the majority of media and advertising depictions of older age either unrealistically positive or extremely negative portrayals of frailty and decline. It is hoped the series of Action Day events across the country will empower people to feel involved, connected, and heard in their local communities as well as united in the fight against ageism.
Luz Welmans, Director of the Arts and Culture Community Centre CIC in Hexthorpe, said: “As an artistic and cultural organisation, we believe it is important to show there is no age limit for talent.”
“By participating in the Action Day, we hope to contribute to change negative perceptions and stereotypes about older people, especially because these prejudices usually lead to discrimination.”
“We think to SEE others showing their skills, talents or simply sharing their stories and wisdom can encourage, teach and inspire us. At the same time, to BE SEEN, can help us to gain confidence, it empowers us and gives us the opportunity to improve and develop ourselves personally and professionally.”
According to the charity’s Chief Executive Dr Carole Easton OBE, negative societal portrayals of ageing contribute to how people feel about getting older.
Older people with more negative self-perceptions of their ageing are more likely to have depression and to have a worse quality of life than those with more positive outlooks.
More than 70 events will be taking place across the country on the Age Without Limits Action Day. Participating organisations are being encouraged to share their activities using the hashtag #SeeAndBeSeen, while members of the public are also encouraged to use the hashtag to share images that reflect their experiences of growing older.
Dr Carole Easton OBE, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “It is clear from our research that people over 50 in Yorkshire and the Humber have real concerns about having their voices heard in their local community.”
“We hope our first Action Day will help people in Yorkshire and the Humber feel that there are many people who do care about how older people are represented in society and who want to see an end to ageism. I’m so grateful to all community groups taking the time and effort to mark our first Action Day with such a wonderful range of events.”
“Ageism is extremely prevalent in society and it is extremely harmful to individuals, communities and the economy. That is why we launched the Age Without Limits campaign to get the nation thinking differently about ageing, for the benefit of us all as we grow older.”
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