Hertfordshire Secures Over £500,000 for 'Live Longer Better' Community Project

Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) has reached an exciting milestone in its mission to help older adults live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire has now secured over £500,000 in national funding, empowering local organisations and clubs to deliver community-based initiatives that promote physical activity, social connection, and overall wellbeing among older adults. 

Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire is funded through Adult Care Services within Hertfordshire County Council, which has enabled HSP to provide support to local organisations to draw in funding from national sources since 2022. This additional funding has supported an array of inspiring projects designed to address challenges faced by local older adult residents such as isolation, reduced mobility, and health inequalities resulting in life-changing activities across Hertfordshire. 

The funding has supported diverse initiatives, including: 

• Nature walks for unpaid carers and individuals with dementia and long-term health conditions. 

• Weekly activity programmes for people with Parkinson’s and their carers. 

• Year-round bowling sessions targeting physically inactive older residents in deprived areas. 

• Walking tennis sessions for mental health and social engagement. 

• Chair-based cycling and fitness sessions in Hemel Library to improve activity levels and combat isolation. 

• Women-only fitness sessions for ethnically diverse communities. 

• Free circus-themed movement and fitness classes for individuals over 50 in Ware. 

• Outdoor exercise equipment for intergenerational activities. 

• Adaptations and accessibility installations to support inclusion.  

Beneficiaries include Parish, Town and District Councils, charities, community interest companies (CiCs) and sports clubs.  

Participants of the Parkinson’s movement programme at Grange Paddocks in Bishops Stortford have expressed great enthusiasm and gratitude towards the programme recognising "moving medicine" is the way forward to live well with their condition rather than solely relying on traditional medicines and therapies. Claire Uwins, programme co-ordinator reports “there are several people who have fully awoken to the need to do thirty minutes each day to support their Parkinson’s Disease symptoms” as a result of Move for Parkinson’s.  

This funding milestone reflects the collective effort of community champions, local organisations, and Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire supporters. Their dedication to promoting the Live Longer Better message has driven significant progress in increasing community provision for older adults. 

Charlotte Bird, HSP Active Ageing Project Officer said “From seated cricket and adapted fitness classes to memory-stimulating dance sessions, these projects are not only improving health outcomes but also fostering meaningful social connections among older adults.” 

As Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire continues to grow, the focus remains on expanding community offerings and ensuring older adults across the county can access life-enhancing activities.  

Do you have an idea for a community project to support older adults in Hertfordshire? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with us at info@livelongerbetterinherts.co.uk and help our local communities to Live Longer Better.  

For more information on Live Longer Better in Hertfordshire, visit https://www.livelongerbetterinherts.co.uk.