This spring saw the first Macmillan Activity Week for over 55’s in Bristol. Running from the 30th March – 5th April, the week was designed to support people aged 55+, who are living with and beyond cancer, to get active, have fun and feel better.
Evidence has shown that being active during and after cancer treatment can improve your overall health and wellbeing in numerous ways. Based on this evidence, the Macmillan Activity Week offered participants access to an array of existing community-based activities across Bristol such as Dance, Walking Sport, Tai Chi and Sound Therapy, for free. The week aimed to connect participants with a wide range of physical and social activities; providing a great way to socialise with new people, and meet friendly, professional and supportive activity leaders.
Combined into a handy pull-out guide, the activity programme was complemented with guidance on getting active safely after cancer and a useful A-Z directory of services, providing participants with a go-to tool for the Activity Week and beyond.
Friendly activity leaders welcomed participants to numerous activities during this time which were rated by participants, on average, as beneficial for their overall health and wellbeing. One participant describing the initiative as “a great fun week”.
Closing the week was a relaxing Sound Bath session at the Greenway Centre, Southmead, where participants had an opportunity to unwind. The soundscape of gongs, singing bowls and the harmonious voices of Bea and David from the Bards of Avalon, was followed by an informal talk on the services and activities available at the Greenway Centre for over 55s.
83% of participants plan to attend activities they attended as part of the Macmillan Activity Week, or have been inspired to explore or try a new activity.
As the last initiative of the Macmillan Prevention and Re-enablement project, I would like to thank all of the participants and activity leaders who took part in the Macmillan Activity Week.
Written by Sally Crocker, Macmillan Prevention and Re-enablement Project Manager