Participants wanted to help shape health and activity support
A new movement to empower Wirral residents to improve strength and balance is calling for residents to join a research group.
Funded by Wirral Council Public Health and delivered by Wirral Council’s Active Wirral Team and Partners, Active You aims to help people increase their physical activity and strengthen key skills known to reduce the risk of falls and health conditions in later life.
Working alongside partners from Liverpool John Moores University, Active You aims to explore what both motivates and prevents people from taking part in physical activity. This research will then lead to community-based activities which are tailor-made to support and encourage people to lead more active lifestyles.
Through four interactive workshops, Active You will develop new ways to help people get moving, based on direct feedback gathered from a group of residents from the age group they wish to support in the future.
Cllr Ann Ainsworth, Vice-Chair of Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee, said:
People in their 40s-60s may not consider themselves of an age where reduced activity or taking a fall could change their lives. But improving balance and coordination, and staying active as you age, is a vital and proactive step that all residents can take to set themselves up for a lively and mobile future.
Active You is about creating a culture where movement is a priority. If residents are active in our communities, in whatever way they enjoy, not only do our communities benefit but this helps people to stay active for longer, with better mobility and health outcomes. Hearing from residents themselves about how they would prefer to access this kind of support will help us tailor services to our communities and target resources where they will be most used.
The group will take part in a series of workshops, sharing their experiences, opinions and ideas about the barriers to being active, as well as what kind of support they think could help people make positive lifestyle changes.
They want to work with people primarily in the 40-64 year age group who are still active, but feel they could benefit from some help to maintain their health and fitness levels as they age.
Cllr Ainsworth said:
If you are in this age group and you want to keep yourself feeling strong, please consider joining this research group. Your experiences and ideas will help shape the future of physical activity support to keep our communities thriving.
Active You forms part of the borough’s Active Wirral strategy to make sport and activity part of residents’ everyday lives.
The first workshop will take place on Thursday 27 March 2025. Full details will be shared with residents who sign up to join the group.
To register your interest, email activeyou@wirral.gov.uk.
