Growing old gracefully?

Bristol – along with the rest of the UK – is home to an ageing population. More than 30 per cent of city residents are currently aged over 60, and while it’s easy to stay young at heart, factors can conspire that lead to a less full and active life in retirement. And, by the age of 75, 30 per cent of men and 61 per cent of women will live alone.

“It is important to acknowledge that loneliness is not a standard stage of ageing but something caused by various factors, which can affect people in different ways,” says Adam Rees, programme director at Bristol Ageing Better. Such factors range from the death of a loved one to loss of independence, whether that be from health issues, financial difficulties or a cancelled bus route.

“A key aspect of the work Bristol Ageing Better does is providing opportunities for people to make friends and build relationships within their communities,” says Adam. “It is the human connections that help prevent loneliness and it is so important not to lose sight of our connections to one another.”

The Downs Walking for Health group encourages older people to get out and meet others

Across Bristol there are many charities, organisations and activities that combat loneliness and contribute to older people’s wellbeing by encouraging social environments. The all-ages Downs Walking For Health group meets regularly throughout the week, and whilst its primary focus is to promote physical health, it also contributes greatly to the positive mental health of its walkers.

“Although it’s a health walk, we give people the option of going to the pub afterwards, which is very popular!” says Jeff Rowland, 64, who leads the walk on Thursdays. “It’s not just about physical health. It does help people with their mental health because it helps people relax. Some people may be a bit lonely and it’s an easy way to get chatting to people. More people are always welcome!”

The group that meets on a Thursday do a 90-minute walk on routes that differ regularly, with around a dozen regulars meeting in Cafe Retreat for a coffee before setting off.

“Socially it’s good because you meet people,” says Alan Howes, 60, who started attending the walks after a triple heart bypass and comes primarily to spend time with friends, rather than attempting to improve his health. “This walk isn’t particularly taxing but it’s the first walk I came on, so I feel some allegiance to turn up!”

Whilst this particular group meets on the Downs, which, with its multiple bus routes, makes it accessible for many, often in Bristol this is not the case.

Tony Wilson is a member of Bristol’s Older People’s Forum

“Like anyone I feel lonely sometimes, usually in crowd,” says 81-year-old Tony Wilson, a volunteer with Bristol Older People’s Forum. The organisation works to promote social inclusion, and works with the mayor and Bristol City Council to amplify the voices of older people.

“When I feel lonely I get out and do things to make sure I am heard.However, transport at the moment is not good,” he continues. “It doesn’t necessarily go where people want it to go. Transport does stop a lot of people going out. There’s so much going on in Bristol – there’s music, dance and yoga everywhere – it’s just a matter of connecting people with it and getting them out of their houses.”

Bristol’s busy streets and unreliable bus service can make getting out and about more difficult for older people 

Isolation caused by transport is one of the biggest issues facing older people in Bristol, according to Beth Hendry, assistant director of operations for mental health at Milestones Trust, because it prevents people from being able to navigate the city and access services if they are not hyperlocal. Coupled with younger people moving away from the family home to start their own lives, older generations are often being left with weak support systems within their community and no way to reach support in other areas.

However, organisations are working hard to counteract transport issues that will only worsen as the population ages. Age UK in Bristol have partnered with taxi app Uber to promote older people getting out in to their communities. “Uber were interested in supporting a charity in Bristol that was working to reduce isolation and loneliness in older people,” says fundraising officer Jennifer DeKalb-Poyer.

“We are testing it out now. It is different from booking a regular taxi as some older people may be unfamiliar with using Uber, so we are learning. We have some great ideas on how to use the free Uber transportation and we will see what we can do over the next year.”

Illustration by Tanja Tjong

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