Health and wellbeing
Discover what’s on your doorstep in Walsall as part of International Day of Older People
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Walsall residents are being encouraged to discover the people, places and services that can help them stay active, connected and well as part of International Day of Older People on Thursday 1 October.
The UK theme for International Day of Older People 2026 is "What's on your doorstep?", celebrating the opportunities, services and community connections that help people remain active and involved in later life, while highlighting the importance of making them accessible to everyone.
As part of Walsall Council's Healthy Ageing campaign, residents are being invited to explore the wide range of activities, support services and community opportunities available across the borough. From community activity sessions to volunteering opportunities and support services, there are many ways for residents to stay active, connected and well close to home.
“ Healthy ageing is about staying active, connected, independent and well, and we know that many of the things that support this are already available within our local communities. This International Day of Older People, we're encouraging you to discover what's on your doorstep, whether that's a local activity, a volunteering opportunity, a community group or support service. Small steps can make a big difference to our wellbeing and help us continue doing the things that matter most. “
Older people make a valuable contribution to communities across Walsall as workers, carers, volunteers, neighbours and community leaders.
Across Walsall, there are a wide range of opportunities available to support healthy ageing and help people remain active and involved in their communities.
Residents can discover many of these opportunities through the Walsall Wellbeing Directory. The directory contains information on activities, services and groups that can help residents live healthy, active and fulfilling lives. For more information, visit the Walsall Council website.
The Health in Later Life: Physical Activity Programme supports Walsall residents aged 50 and over who would like to stay strong, steady and independent for longer. Through free community-based activity sessions, participants can improve their strength, balance, mobility and wellbeing, helping to reduce their risk of future falls.
Making Connections Walsall, which relaunched in September this year, is a free service that supports residents, including people who are carers, who may be feeling lonely or socially isolated by helping them connect with groups, activities and support available within their local community. The service is open to residents of all ages and provides personalised support through community-based social prescribers.
The Black Country Moving Activity Finder helps residents discover a wide range of local activities, from walking and swimming to group sports and exercise classes. Residents can also enjoy a range of activities and events in Walsall’s parks and green spaces and leisure centres to help them stay active.
Volunteering can help people gain new skills, meet new people and improve their wellbeing. A range of volunteering roles are available across the borough.
GreenSquareAccord provides support for carers, older adults, and residents across Walsall to live well, stay connected, and maintain their independence. This includes help at home, dementia cafés and volunteering. To find out more, visit their website.
Residents can also visit the Walsall Community Network websitefor details of community venues and activities taking place in their local area.
For some residents, what's on their doorstep may be a local walking group, fitness session or volunteering opportunity. For others, it could be community activities, social groups, wellbeing support or opportunities to meet new people and learn new skills. Whatever form they take, these local services and activities play an important role in helping people stay active, connected, independent and well.
To find out more about International Day of Older People, visit the Centre for Ageing Better website.
