Open University free online talks – 2022/23

All earlier talks can be accessed by following the links below:

Description of the AWPT Series:

As part of the ‘Ageing Well Public Talk series’ we are exploring how important it is, over our lifespan, to maintain a well-balanced nutrition and hydration as well as regular physical and social activity in the older age, also known as the ‘Five Pillars of Ageing Well’. As we know we start ageing the moment we are born. It demonstrates more significantly when we reach certain age, the usual benchmark being 65+, but our ageing starts much sooner and the way ageing demonstrates when we are over 65 depends on decisions we have been making over our life span.

The series and related materials such as ‘The Five Pillars of Ageing Well’ (Nutrition, Hydration, Physical, Social and Cognitive Stimulation) became the cornerstones of further engagement with the public, specifically around COVID-19 and the relating self-isolation, which are now available on the Open University website and the Internet.

Creating bridges between communities (in this case: research community researching sometimes in an ‘Ivory tower’ and community of ageing population (for whom it is sometimes very difficult to reach to the findings that ageing related research produced) was the starting point. The overall aim of these series of interventions is to facilitate a step change in user behaviour and support service provision. Self-management and becoming partner in our own health care is an important aspect of these talks. This may have a wider impact in healthcare economies, as ageing and related co-morbidities have a substantial health and economic burden footprint.

I have been presenting the ‘Ageing Well’ Lecture Series in collaboration with Third Age University and Free Time University overseas for the past 17 years and more recently in collaboration with primary care practices, stakeholders and charities in the UK. Currently I am collaborating with Public Health England, Age Scotland, Age UK MK, Public Health Northamptonshire, Camphill MK, Carers in Northamptonshire, UKeMED & Cambridge Medical Academy, East of England Academic Health Science Network and the and Voluntary Health Scotland and other organisations and charities on delivering ‘Ageing Well Public Talks’.

Information about the AWPT talks

Ransackers Project – early findings

Nick Foxell

As part of our new project, Learn and Live Long, funded by an Awards for All lottery grant, I have begun to explore the learning opportunities available toolder people with the aim of creating a user-friendly database that will help people identify courses that are suited to their own interests, ambitions, levels of commitment and varying stages of life. 

What has been apparent from the start, is that the world of lifelong learning has changed dramatically since I visited Northern College in 2013 for Ransackers Association to make a short film about a group of older learners celebrating their experience of residential courses. 

There are now just two residential colleges left and the provision of classroom-based adult education by local councils and FE Colleges has been swallowed up by the Adult Community Learning initiative which has seen the offering to students shrunk to vocational and skills-based criteria with identical menus across the country of ESOL and Maths and work-based technical skills. Nonetheless, I shall do my utmost to uncover community-based, face-to-face classes that offer older people the chance to share their learning experience with their peers.  

To a large extent, driven by increased accessibility and the relentless advance of technology, and more recently, of course, by the constraints of Covid, wider learning resources have retreated online. This has facilitated a profusion of opportunities and a multiplicity of courses for anyone with an internet connection. Whether you want to study American Studies at Yale or Art History at the Open University the world is literally at your keyboard. 

Online courses range from tutor-led interactive lessons to self-guided (and self-paced) learning. From one-off lectures and short courses to A levels, degrees and PHDs. Subjects from Architecture to Zoology. Course fees vary widely from free to exorbitant. Qualifications and accreditations also fall into a wide range of outcomes. However, navigating this vast mass of resources can be daunting, so my hope is that my research will result in a workable guide that will enhance access to, and promote the benefits of, lifelong learning.  

Please get in touch if you have had an educational adventure in later life that you would like to share, or if you can recommend a course provider. We welcome your insights.

Seniors: Coffee & Chat at BCS London

BCS (British Computer Society) North London Branch is generously offering to host afternoon events to listen to experts in their field and to discuss topical subjects and to address Computing and Internet problems you may have. The third of these afternoon events will take place on 25th October 2021. (2-4pm) This is an opportunity If you missed the first of these events. You are welcome to attend if you did attend the first event on the 4th October to follow up some of the decisions made then.

Register for free on Eventbrite

Ransackers “Learn and Live Long” Project Launch

Lottery Community Fund logo
This project is funded by the ‘Awards for All’ Lottery Grant

Investigating older people’s learning opportunities

The aim of this project, which starts in September, is to explore the learning opportunities and experiences of older people and retirees. This will initially focus on subjects taught and facilitated by experts, at colleges and other organisations, and will identify taught courses that are available for free, or at a reduced fee for older people.

We also plan to tell the stories of older people who have done either face to face or online courses, and how they adjusted to the learning process. Looking at how they benefitted in wellbeing, confidence, channelling creative skills, and by just indulging their curiosity.

This will undoubtedly touch on digital inclusion, volunteering, boosting one’s brain power, and other tropics that interest Ransackers Association. If you are an older person and have recently undertaken a course of study, either with or without a qualification at the end, we would like to hear from you.

Recruitment
We are looking for two people to work with us on a freelance contract basis, starting November 2021. For detailed information about these roles, please see the RA lottery roles document.

Please use our Contact Us page to get in touch.

RHACC courses

Empowering adults and communities through education, skills and enterprise

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College (RHACC) was established on October 1st 2017 through the merger of Richmond Adult and Community College and Hillcroft College. It is built on their shared expertise in adult learning and their commitment to the needs of adults and communities that need further educational or tailored opportunities to develop the skills to thrive and achieve their potential.

With two campuses and superb facilities including a dedicated Art School and Business School, Women-only Education, a 120-seat theatre, specialist co-working and office space, meeting rooms, classrooms, workshops and kitchens – RHACC is a hive of activity during the day, evenings and weekends.

Serving over 7000 learners each year RHACC offers a vibrant learning environment tailored specifically for adult learners.

So if you’re looking to progress your education, develop your career potential, or learn a new skill, visit rhacc.ac.uk and explore the many possibilities on offer!

Reclaiming Adult Dance

Interview with Elizabeth Arifien, Creative Dance London

This article was written by Katie Hagan and originally featured in Dance Art Journal.

Elizabeth Arifien founder and creative director of Creative Dance London is on a mission to change the perceptions of adult dance. In our culture of comparison, adult classes have long been seen as somewhat secondary to professional dance, a skewed depiction given the styles’ values and objectives exist on totally different spheres that shouldn’t really be brought into juxtaposition.

To reclaim adult dance, Creative Dance London has cultivated a balmy oasis of intergenerational and 60+ improvisation-based contemporary dance workshops and classes; no mean feat given the past year has been marked by disconnection and isolation. Katie from DAJ chatted with Elizabeth earlier this month to find out more about Creative Dance London and its hopes for the future.

Read the full article

Connections for ALL

NPC Digital Inclusion/Exclusion Campaign

“The NPC General Secretary, Jan Shortt, has written to Oliver Dowden Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Jo Stevens Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Digital and Culture about digital inclusion / exclusion.”

You can read and download the letter on – 
https://www.npcuk.org/post/digital-inclusion-and-exclusion