Last month older people and organisations from across Birmingham attended a launch event to hear more about the free activity groups that we will be setting up in the area, thanks to a £105,000 grant from Warwickshire Freemasons.

Guests who attended the launch event were able to take part in a selection of gentle activities and to hear from guest speaker Professor Graeme Betts CBE, Strategic Director Adult Social Care at Birmingham City Council, about the benefits of social activity and gentle excercise in older age.

More than 200 older people from across Birmingham who are at risk of loneliness and isolation will be able to join the new free activity groups which will provide both gentle exercise and an opportunity to make new friends.  The activity groups will take place across the city, combining the benefits of regular physical exercise such as, chair yoga and indoor curling, with the opportunity to socialise afterwards.

The free groups aimed at people aged 75 and over will be held monthly or fortnightly with six being online and the rest in person.  We plan to attract at least 200 older people and 40 volunteers aged 18 plus who will help with the sessions and provide transport to and from the venues where needed.

Guest speaker Graeme Betts said 'Re-engage's vision is a world where no one is too old to make friends and enjoy social interaction and this fits well with the way we are working in Birmingham. I wish Re-engage every success for the future and I look forward to hearing about the charity's achievements.' 

Research has shown that activity groups improve physical health and increase enjoyment and wellbeing for older people.  Our activity groups in Wales and West Yorkshire have proven to be very sucesseful with 80 per cent of older people taking part in activity groups in Wales saying that their wellbeing has improved since joining the sessions.  

The £105,000 grant from Warickshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England.