Age UK have just launched a brilliant new campaign, Act Now, Age Better. Its goal? To encourage mid-lifers to be active, so that they can live their best possible later life.

PE lesson dread

The campaign comes off the back off research which revealed that negative early PE experiences are one of the biggest barriers stopping millions of those aged 50-65 from being physically active.

40% of those surveyed remember feeling self-conscious about their body during PE. Another 40% talked about the difficulty of being picked last for teams. Almost 50% dreaded school PE lessons. Age UK believes that, with the right opportunities and support, those in midlife who were put off exercise in the past can now find new joy in participating in sport.

Act Now, Age Better campaign

Age UK are working with an astounding 40 different sporting partners, including Badminton England, Pickleball England, Ramblers and more, to achieve their goal. Throughout the summer, sports organisations across the country will be offering age-specific and beginner activities. They’ll also be putting on free taster sessions, to make it easier for people to try something new.

As well as showcasing a variety of sports and group activities, Age UK is also offering practical tips and inspiration to help even the most sports-wary among us to give movement a go.

Doing it together

And they’re not doing it alone. Act Now, Age Better is supported by sporting stars and health experts including Dame Denise Lewis and Dame Kelly Holmes.

“The benefits of sport and exercise are endless,” says Dame Kelly Holmes. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional athlete competing on a world stage, or a busy parent who has just managed to carve out a few hours for yourself one evening a week to head along to your local netball group.”

“It’s about self-care, making new connections, feeling team spirit, supporting mental health, getting outside and feeling strong and capable for as long as possible. Age UK’s Act Now, Age Better campaign is a fantastic reminder of all those things and how important they can be for someone in midlife who is looking to increase their chances of living a better later life.”

Find out more

You can find out more about the Act Now, Age Better campaign at ageuk.org.uk/actnow.