CONVENOR
Sir Muir Gray
TIME AND PLACE
The aim of the Oxford U3A Live Longer Better SIG is firstly to facilitate learning about the factors that determine not just how long you live but, even more important how well you live in your 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, or your ‘healthy longevity’ as the experts call it. Secondly to enable you to take action to counter the factors that cause problems and increase the probability of both living well now and reaching your 90s in good health. Live Longer Better is now a central part of NHS development. The system is based on the principle that for individuals and the population to live longer better requires not simply more clinical services but action by individuals and communities and the U3A is the type of community which can make a significant impact.
Membership is open to all members of the U3A and members with a clinical or health science background would be very welcome because they can make a contribution to supporting other members and, potentially, spreading the learning to other individuals and organisations in their broader community.
Members of the SIG are offered the resources developed by the Oxford Longevity Project which has reviewed the scientific knowledge about what happens to us as we live longer and the evidence about what we can do slow down, delay, prevent or even reverse many of the problems that have previously been attributed to the biological process of ageing. This resource, called RadioActive,consists of twelve podcasts which can be watched or, even better, listened to while walking, followed by regular briefings on new knowledge, on great books about living longer, and on opportunities for taking action to live longer better. The Oxford Longevity Project is organised by a group of people who have worked, or are working, for the University and who offer the resources to Oxford U3A as another organisation in Oxford OX2 committed to enabling people to live longer better based on the principles of Learn to Live.
The SIG is seen as an important initiative by the national NHS system for Living Longer Better. Have a look at the website to see more detail about The scientific understanding about what is happening as we live longer and the evidence supporting the actions recommended, such as the need for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking a day
The Group meets monthly at 5.00pm on the first Monday of the month online using Zoom to reflect on the learning and on how this is influencing their daily life and their long term plan, using the Oxford Longevity Personalised Plan template.