North West community projects come together in day of action against ageism

Community projects in the North West are hosting events to mark a national anti-ageism Action Day organised by the Centre for Ageing Better this Wednesday 20 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 is aiming to counter the negative stereotypes of older age that are prominent throughout society.

Events hosted by community projects in the North West include:

• ALL FM Manchester (Manchester) is having a radio takeover day which will see older people presenting and producing all radio shows from 10am till 5pm. Shows will focus on interviewing guests, live (older) musicians & artists in the studio & discussion around the theme of aging. Event details: ALLFM radio station
• Dominoes, Dahlias & Oware Royal Exchange (Manchester) is hosting a powerful performance about older women reminiscing and sharing their experience of life when they were younger. The show is a combination of creativity based around the participants’ life experience with a touch of fiction and humour. Event details: Wednesday 20 March, location TBC
• ExEl Theatre Group (Trafford, Greater Manchester) are an amateur theatrical company who write, produce and perform their own material. Featuring a collection of short plays, monologues, poems, and songs, the artistic pieces will delve into the experiences and unique stories of aging in Greater Manchester. Event details: Wednesday 20 March, location TBC

New research from the Centre for Ageing Better reveals 29% of people aged 50 and above in the North West 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.

The new survey also reveals the broader views of people aged 50 and above in  the North West:

• 49% 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. The community events are designed to support people to feel a connected with others.
• 18% said they felt less valued in their community as they age
• 11% feel like they are treated negatively within their community because of their age
• 17% said their local community wasn’t a good place to grow older in

People living in the North West had a higher satisfaction 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.

Ed Connole, Director from ALL FM, said:

“‘Age is just a number and we’ll be demonstrating this on March 20th. ALL FM believes that everyone should be heard. This is reflected in their schedule and the makeup of their volunteers and they want their presenters to be role models not just for older people but for everyone who feels that they’re not listened to!”

Paul Green, from the ExEl Threatre Company in Manchester, said:

“ExEl Theatre Company aims to encourage older people to break down conventional attitudes regarding people over working age. Our members are over sixty years of age who write, produce and perform original drama, poetry and song. For some this is the first time they have ever put pen to paper or performed before an audience.

“Being part of this nationwide event raises awareness of what older people can do when given an encouraging hand and support. We want everyone to take inspiration and don’t let fear put you off trying something new. Let your voice be heard and do not be afraid to realise your dreams..”

According to the charity’s Chief Executive Dr Carole Easton OBE, negative societal portrayals of ageing contribute to how people feel about getting older.

And older people with more negative self-perceptions of their own ageing are more likely to have depression and to have worse quality of life than those with more positive outlooks. The three-year Age Without Limits campaign was launched in January by the Centre for Ageing Better to spark debate and conversation about what ageism is and to challenge the way we all think about ageing.

The campaign website provides information, tools and resources, including an interactive online quiz which has been designed to encourage people to reflect if they might inadvertently hold negative views to age and ageing.

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 the North West have real concerns about having their voices heard in their local community.

“We hope our first Action Day will help people in the North West 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 the 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.”