Guest blog by Sarah Cartin
As you grow older what kind of place do you want to live in? It’s worth thinking about now before it’s too late.
Did you know one in three people in Bradford are over the age of 50, one in six over 60, and one in ten over 70? So how is Bradford gearing up to meet the changing needs of its own ageing population? Sarah Cartin from the Bradford People’s Centre reports back from Older People’s Week.
Anyone living in Bradford will tell you it’s a city often misunderstood and sometimes misrepresented. A proud place, currently lying in limbo between old and new. Huge areas of the city centre are still under development, or not, depending on who you believe.
However a far more fundamental change is also taking place right before our eyes.
By 2012 it is projected there’ll be 85,000 50-64 year olds living in Bradford District. Enough older people to fill an entire Wembley stadium.
Add to that another 73,000 people who’ll be over 65 this time next year, and you could place an older person’s bottom on every seat in the Olympic stadium too.
Nearly 160,000 older people living and breathing in Bradford, yet when was the last time you remember seeing an event specifically targeting that age group? Bingo doesn’t count by the way. Thankfully, things are beginning to change.
Last year Bradford was one of only four local authorities to be awarded Beacon Status for its positive engagement of older people. The City was able to demonstrate what it is doing to provide support and promote greater independence and wellbeing in later life
It was a further accolade to add to its UNESCO City of Film title , and its unofficial claim to be the UK’s Curry Capital (despite what Leeds on anyone else says ).
As a result, all this week (26th Sept- 1st Oct) Bradford is celebrating Older People’s Week . Organised by Bradford Council and backed by organisations including the NHS, Age Concern, Bradford & District Senior Power and Bradford Older People’s Alliance, the week will showcase some of the activities available for Older People in Bradford.
Events include health and fitness classes, reminiscence workshops, art sessions and music performances [scroll down to see full details at end].
There is already a huge amount of dedicated support and activities for older people, as well as advisory networks and lobbying organisations that feed directly into the decision makers in the city on policies including housing, transport and health. But it is only a start. Much more needs to be done to encourage organisations across the city to always think older. And we will continue to lobby for there to be a dedicated flagship centre for older people in Bradford City Centre, providing space, resources and facilities to older people to promote healthy, creative and active ageing in the district.
Last year the Older People’s Partnership made a short film called ‘The Voices of Older People in Bradford’ to challenge a few of the myths and stereotypes that continue to linger. In particular the view that all old people smell of wee and walk with a Zimmer frame. I’d encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it, because whether you want to think about it now or not, age catches up with all of us eventually.
Sarah Cartin works for Bradford People’s Centre. Follow @OlderBradford on Twitter for more information or to get involved.
Older People’s Week, Bradford
Events:
Monday 26th September
Phase 3 Project 11.00am – 1.00pm
Fun activities including games and exercise. Also an opportunity to speak to local providers such as Disability Equipment Bradford, Heart Health, Seniors Show the Way, Alzheimer’s Society and The Pension Service.
Thornbury Centre, Bradford. Contact Poonam Joshi on 01274 666649.
Tuesday 27th September
Bcreative Arts for Fun Day, 10.00am – 2.30pm
Explore, engage and take part in exciting creative activities taking place at Cartright Hall. The day will include art activities linked to the largest painting David Hockney ever created.
Cartright Hall, Lister Park. Contact Rashmi Sudhir/Karen Lewis on 01274 432653/432416 or Akhlak Rauf on 01274 431308 to book a place.
Wednesday 28th September
Bradford Industrial Museum Reminiscence Open Day – Time 11.00am – 3.00pm
Events include Motive Power Demonstrations, Textile Demonstrations, Steam Engines and Victorian Printing. There will also be staff dressed in period costume and visitors can go into the houses to see how people used to live in the 1800s, 1940s and 1950s. All welcome
Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Road, Eccleshill, Bradford.
Contact Debbie Cross on 01274 435868.
Thursday 29th September
OP Idols, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
A talent show for Older People in Bradford. Can you sing, dance or do you have another talent you wish to share? Bingley Arts Centre, Main Street, Bingley. Contact Jeanette Booth on 01274 437957.
Friday 30th September
Intergenerational Choir, 1.15pm – 2.30pm
Older People and school children come together to enjoy the day.
Bradford Cathedral, 1.15pm – 2.30pm. Contact Jeanette Booth on 01274 437957.
Despite Government cutbacks, over 60’s can swim and gym virtually free in Bradford. Unique Fitness at Bradford Uni gives access to all its facilities (pool, gym, classes) for only £12,50 a month.
And the Media Museum’s Senior Screenings on Tuesday and Thursday mornings are the absolute best place to catch a film, whatever your age. We young’uns pay a bit extra but still get coffee & biscuits. There are no concessions made in programming, but you get the rare experience of being part of a full house that is giving total attention to the matter in hand.