International Day of Older Persons 2022

By Greater Manchester Moving | 29 September 2022 | TAGS: active ageing, active adults

The theme of the annual celebration of older persons is “The Resilience and Contributions of Older Women” and, led by the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub, partners across Greater Manchester are coming together to celebrate the contribution of older women.

Active ageing is a key strand of this year’s theme – resilience and contributions of older women – due to the role physical activity has in supporting resilience in our health as we age.

Moving as we age helps to manage and reduce the risk of developing health conditions, reduces the risk of falls, and helps to improve mood and manage our mental health.

While the benefits of physical activity are well documented, the data from Sport England’s Active Lives Survey tells us that women, and particularly older women and those with disabilities or black and ethnic minorities, are more likely to be inactive in Greater Manchester.

In Greater Manchester, a quarter of women aged 16-54 are inactive (completing less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week) but this rises to 40% in women who are 55 or older.

Nicole McKeating-Jones, GreaterSport’s Active Ageing Lead said:

“It’s fantastic to see the range of partners coming together to celebrate the International Day of Older People and shining the light the resilience and contributions of older women in Greater Manchester.

"Women over 65 are the fastest growing female age demographic and yet, we often hear older women talking about feeling invisible in later life.

“Unfortunately, this is something we also can see in physical activity and sport with a lack of representation of older women in imagery and other areas.

“Through this celebration we are seeing countless examples of the different ways older women stay active, from walking football to wild swimming, as well as the wider invaluable contributions older women make through local clubs and organisations volunteering, coaching and through paid work.” 

Leigh Gell, Football Development Officer for Women and Girls at Manchester FA, said:

“We have seen a significant increase in demand for female football following the Euros and have been inundated with requests of where women & girls can play football locally to them. In the build up to the tournament we saw a 33% increase in Women & Girls football, and we expect to see a further rise this season.

"It has been brilliant to see how many people were inspired as a result of the tournament and I look forward to supporting more women & girls into the game.

“Volunteers are the heartbeat of grassroots football and I think it is important to recognise the positive contributions given by our older volunteers, without their dedication and input, grassroots football would not be what it is today.

It is so important that the younger generation see the resilience and effort put in by those that came before them to appreciate the changes in society for women.

That is why I hope to shine a spotlight on some influential women within grassroots football and celebrate the positive work they do.”

Walking Football Sessions in Greater Manchester

To celebrate the International Day of Older Persons, Wigan Athletic Community Trust are giving opportunities for individuals to give walking football a go for the first time.

Walking football is a slowed down version of the beautiful game and is quickly rising in popularity due to the success of the Lionesses at this summer’s Women’s Euros.

Join in:

Wigan Athletic Community Trust - Walking football taster session

Friday 30^th September 2022, 1pm – 4pm (refreshments from 1pm)

Little Lane, Wigan, WN3 6PZ

Find more information about walking football:

https://find.englandfootball.com/