Ageing Well Public Talks Series 2025_2026 Synopsis

In the 'Ageing Well Public Talk series' we are exploring how important it is, over our lifespan, to maintain well-balanced nutrition and hydration as well as regular physical and social activity in older age, also known as the 'Five Pillars of Ageing Well'. Ageing demonstrates most significantly when we reach a certain age, the usual benchmark being 65+, but 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’ became the cornerstones of further engagement with the public, specifically around COVID-19 and the relating self-isolation, which are now available on the OU website and the Internet.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.Dr Jitka Vseteckova has been presenting the ‘Ageing Well’ Lecture Series in collaboration with Third Age University and Free Time University overseas and more recently with primary care practices in the UK. Currently also collaborating with Age UK MK, Public Health Northamptonshire, Carers MK, UKeMED & Cambridge Medical Academy, East of England Academic Health Science Network and the and Voluntary Health Scotland on delivering ‘Ageing Well Public Talks’.All talks last between 60-90 minutes on Wednesdays from 11-12.30pm UK time. A synopsis for each talk is contained in this document. Click on the title of the talk (in red) for more information and to view a recording.Talk 1. 24th September, 2025 - Are we ready to live longer and age well and why we need to look after ourselves, especially when providing care for others?Jitka will introduce the Ageing Well Public Talks Series and as part of it we will explore why is it important to think and discuss about ageing. We will discuss some most common age-related conditions such as osteoporosis, frailty, and how hormonal changes associate with ageing may affect us. We will look into how we might want to think about ageing and preventing ill health, self-manage better and keep our health and wellbeing for longer. Jitka will also give a brief overview of the most recent 4 nations public health campaign Take Five to Age Well.Are we ready to live longer and age well and why we need to look after ourselves, especially when providing care for others. - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 1 - Berrill StadiumTalk 2. 15th October, 2025 - Social Touch and experiences of using and working with the NHS: 'good in parts'Part One: Social touch Susannah will explore the benefits of social touch and its impact on well-being. Positive social, tactile interactions support our well-being, a lack of physical contact is detrimental to both our physical and mental health.Part Two: Working with the NHS: ‘Good in parts’ Alan will share his experiences with Diabetes type 2 and his mother's care, emphasising the importance of NHS staff and the positive impact they can make to patients.Talk 3. 19th November 2025Social touch and experience of using and working with the NHS: Good in parts. - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 2 - Berrill Stadium Talk 3. 19th November, 2025 Imposterism:well-being, mental health and ageingImposter Phenomenon (IP) refers to the feeling of inadequacy or self-doubt, where individuals believe they are not good enough or dismiss compliments as undeserved. This session explores how IP manifests in work and life, its impact on mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression, low self-confidence), and strategies to address it. Participants will reflect on recognising IP in themselves or others and learn approaches to improve mental health and wellbeing. While not diagnostic, the session provides insights into IP and practical ways to mitigate its effects.Changing roles and changing identities while ageing. - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 3 - Berrill StadiumTalk 4. 10th December, 2025 Green Social Prescribing and the Importance of any exercise as we agePart One: Green Social Prescribing Kate will discuss how green social prescribing supports ageing well, sharing experiences and case studies. Sonal will highlight collaborative action between sectors.Part Two: The Importance of Exercise as We Age Charlotte and Rob will explore the role of exercise in healthy ageing, emphasising physical, emotional, and social benefits.Green Social Prescribing and the importance of any exercise when ageing - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 4 - Berrill StadiumTalk 5. 14th January, 2026 DADIMA walks: an amazing example of the Five Pillars for Ageing Well in actionIn this talk, Yoseph explores how spending time in nature can help us to learn as well as promoting a healthier older age. He will highlight this using the example of a nonprofit registered social enterprise called Dadima’s CIC founded by Geeta and Subash Ludhra. This inspiring community intervention has a practitioner-researcher focus on building intergenerational connection through monthly nature-based events. Dadima’s walks celebrate culture and knowledge which we know boost learning and well-being in later life.DADIMA walks: an amazing example of the Five Pillars for Ageing Well in action - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 5 - Berrill StadiumTalk 6. 18th February, 2026 Have your say in healthcare: ways you can make your voice heard In this talk Marianne will present an overview of where and how to make your voice heard in the NHS health care system as a service user. She will invite a service user representative, expert by experience, who will share their direct experience of influencing some of the ways the NHS works.Have your say in health care ways you can make your voice heard. - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 6 - Berrill StadiumTalk 7. 11th March, 2026 Different ways of experiencing Take Five to Age WellPart One: Haringey Experiential Festival Doug and colleagues will share experiences working with older people in the community, supporting offline access to Take Five to Age Well.Part Two: Age Well Experiential Festival Ashley and her colleague will discuss creating an Age Well Experiential Festival in Haringey, promoting healthy ageing and supporting diverse communities.Different ways of experiencing Take Five to Age Well via Haringey Experiential Festival and offline pledging with Age Scotland. - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 7 - Berrill StadiumTalk 8. 22nd April, 2026 My Silk Road Walk: a virtual walk of 6000 miles from Xian, China to Venice, ItalyDave will share insights from his virtual walks, emphasising building a resilient musculoskeletal system and having fun. During the first year of the pandemic, Dave learned about someone doing a virtual cycle ride along route 66 and wondered if it might be walkable in one year. Inspired by a love of walking, travelling and learning Dave combined the physical activity with research into the locations and history of the routes. Starting on January 1st, 2021 Dave completed the walk on December 6 having walked 2,452 miles. After a friend suggested the Silk Road as his next challenge, Dave began the 6,300mile Silk Road walk on January 1st, 2022 finishing on September 6th, 2024. My Silk Road Walk: a virtual walk of 6,000 miles from Xian, China to Venice, Italy. - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 8 - Berrill StadiumTalk 9. 13th May, 2026 Age Well to Care WellIn this talk Tony will talk about his 42 years in health and social; care and how this prepared him for caring and how he uses his experience of being a wellbeing manager to enable better hydration and nutrition for his mum. He will also discuss how the declining health of his parents made him take up exercise, eat more nutritionally and look at ways to change his health patterns. Tony will share insights into how being gay can also bring expectations about being a carer - “you do not have children mostly, you might have a good income and job and you are seen as having no real commitments so, this makes you ideal for caring, and to take on the family caring role”. But as Tony reflects, if you had a difficult coming out and your family might have been hostile and not very understanding, that is forgotten when they need you.Age Well to Care Well: Impact on carers health and caring role. - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 9 - Berrill StadiumTalk 10. 17th June, 2026 Understanding Mental Health Capacity in Northern Ireland: Principles, Practice and Everyday ImpactThe Policy Advice and Research Unit of the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland will share insights from their research on mental health and mental capacity legislation in Northern Ireland. The presentation will explore the legislation’s history, core principles, and its strong links to human rights. It will also examine how the law operates in practice, highlight potential risks, and identify areas for improvement. Most importantly, it will consider what the legislation means for all of us, how we can prepare for a future where we may lack capacity, and how we can use the law to safeguard ourselves and those we care about.Understanding Mental Health Capacity Legislation in Northern Ireland: Principles, Practice and Everyday Impact - Ageing Well Public Talks Series 25/26 - Talk 10 - Berrill Stadium Talk 11. 15th July, 2026 Reading as a hug for our brain!Sinead will share how the brain is a complex yet wonderful organ and has the power to change how you feel about yourself and