Blog: Our healthy ageing roadshow rolls into Argyll and Bute

Last month Age Scotland's Health and Wellbeing team joined forces with community development officer, Jo Cowan, to take healthy ageing events to communities in Argyll. Healthy active ageing trainer, Janice Skakel, shares the story. 

Our first stop was the village hall in Port Appin, with its beautiful hand painted map of Argyll & Bute, for a How to Age Well session .

We started with an invite to check in with how we were feeling. One participant replied: 
“A family car – full of stuff! But also, with a full tank of petrol!” 

This signalled the start of an inspiring journey across Argyll and Bute.  Together we would discuss, share, and experience what ageing well meant for us as individuals and as part of our communities. 

Leaving the warm drizzle of Loch Linnhe and heading to Campbeltown via the spectacular coast road Jo and I prepared to welcome volunteers and staff from local organisations to a half-day Supporting Older People to Age Well interactive workshop in the Town Hall. 

October 1st was the International Day of Older People, so a fitting time to recognise the fantastic work being done to support older people in Campbeltown. The workshop invited participants to review how they support older people to age well and what else they may do differently.  We discussed moving our bodies, taking care of emotional and social wellbeing, boosting our brains, and looking after our hydration and nutritional intake.  We talked through the challenges experienced by older people in this rural location, and participants shared their experiences, ideas, and their triumphs! 

Feedback was extremely positive with comments including:  'It’s been excellent – I’m feeling more informed and more confident to try new things from today', 'Fun friendly and useful', 'Really interesting hearing real life examples and ideas on how to adapt activities'.

In the afternoon we were delighted to welcome almost 30 older people for an interactive How to Age Well session. We explored the importance of building healthy habits as we age, and participants were invited to identify one or more habits they’d like to adopt or change. The smiles said it all when I invited everyone to say ‘Yes’!  to ageing better.  

Feedback was good too: "It was a lovely afternoon and our folk all thought it very helpful and interesting.”

Next stop was Lochgilphead. People arrived shaking off boots and raincoats, but cheerful and smiling as they entered the warm and welcoming space of the MS Centre.  We celebrated how the Super Snowdrops group had embraced the Take Five to Age Well challenge and kept a journal throughout the month-long exercise, charting their progress including what healthy habits were most beneficial and what they wanted to continue. The journal was submitted as part of an Age Scotland Take Five to Age Well competition and the Super Snowdrops were announced as joint winners!

The final of the five roadshow sessions, Supporting Older People to Age Well, was attended by ten staff and volunteers from local organisations. Activities grouped under Social Connection, Food and Drink, Emotions, Movement, and Brain Power, provided the opportunity for deep moments of reflection and searching discussion, along with much light-hearted laughter!

As one participant said: “Everyone not only had the opportunity to share, but it quickly became clear that they wanted to share. The atmosphere was open, friendly, and welcoming. The quiz format added a fun element and kept the conversations flowing at a lively yet comfortable pace, with information presented in manageable, easy-to-digest question-and-answer chunks. I recommend this workshop to anyone working alongside older adults.”

Planning and delivering the roadshow was a team effort. I’m extremely grateful to my ‘on the road’ colleague Jo Cowan, and colleagues in the office who provided support with marketing, communications and administration.