| Short descriptor of good practice |
| Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%” (WHO, 2017). The advanced-age dependency ratio (people aged 65 and above relative to those aged 15 to 64) in the EU is projected to increase by 21.6 percentage points, from 29.6% in 2016 to 51.2% in 2070” (European Commission, 2018). Mindful Ageing is a 36-month project (September 2020 – August 2023) funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. It was launched in September 2020 and is being implemented by six partners from Bulgaria, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland and the UK. It supports individuals aged 50+ in maintaining a positive and healthy mindset. Objectives: – Discover the importance of looking after yourself. – Explore how to maintain a positive and healthy mindset. – Learn about tools such as Mindfulness, Clinical Hypnosis, Meditation and Neuro–Linguistic Programming (NLP). – Discover the importance of good nutrition and physical activity. |
| Type of setting where good practice is delivered |
| Lifelong Learning and online course |
| Time Frame for delivery of good practice |
| The Mindful Ageing Boot Camp are a three-day training programme for over 50s to learn new skills and explore key techniques relating to mindfulness, positive ageing and health and well-being. The Boot Camps are being delivered in the UK, Bulgaria, Finland, France and Greece. Content: – The mind, body and wellness – Mindfulness and meditation – Positive Psychology and mental well-being – Neuro-Linguistic Programming – Nutrition and exercise |
| Type of learner the best practice is supporting |
| Seniors. |
| Resources used as part of good practice |
| The Mindful Ageing Policy Framework Report is aimed at policy makers and organisations working to support individuals aged 50+ and available to all for free who are interested in healthy ageing. https://www.mindfulageing.eu/data/files/engmindfulageing-io1executivesummary.pdf The Mindful Ageing Bootcamp is a two-three-day training programme where participants had the opportunity to explore the importance of the well-being of mind and body. Participants developed key skills, built new networks and worked to build a more positive approach to ageing. https://www.mindfulageing.eu/data/files/mindfulageing2-2_facilitatorguide.pdf https://www.mindfulageing.eu/data/files/mindfulageing2-1_learnersmaterials.pdf The Mindful Ageing Support Groups are small peer mentoring groups of 5-8 participants who meet in minimum three sessions. Through guided questioning sections, participants take turns to have a time slot to talk about their goals and challenges in terms of maintaining a positive mindset towards ageing or maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. https://www.mindfulageing.eu/data/files/o3_mindfulageingsupportgroups_facilitatorsguide.pdf https://www.mindfulageing.eu/data/files/mindfulageing_io3learnersguide.pdf The Mindful Ageing Online Academy consists of an online toolkit of resources and an online network for both older people and support workers. As part of the Online Academy, participants have access to resources aimed at both older people and support staff working with older people, to understand how to use mindfulness, hypnosis and similar tools on a practical level. These resources are useful to combat feelings of isolation, low self-esteem and help improve physical and mental well-being. https://www.mindfulageing.eu/e-learning |
| Aims and objectives of good practice |
| The Mindful Ageing project recognizes the importance of healthy ageing and its aim is to promote a healthy lifestyle for individuals aged 50+. The overall goal is to help older people, from before retirement age as well as after, to develop a positive mindset towards ageing and take an active approach to well-being. This exciting project offers opportunities to explore the power of mindfulness and positive psychology techniques. Approach The project follows a preventative-medicine approach, by promoting the importance to take positive steps towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle and approach ageing mindfully. During the Bootcamp delivered in the partner countries, like-minded people came together to: – Understand how a healthy body and mind can prevent future ill health. – Gain practical knowledge of key ‘positive psychology’ and ‘mindfulness’ tools which can help prevent future problems arising. – Build their resilience and a positive approach to ageing. – Develop networks of support via peer mentoring to keep up motivation and develop effective goal setting techniques. |
| Evidence as to why this was considered good practice |
| Feedback from learners: What are the three main things you have learned from taking part in the Boot Camp? “Objectives as opportunities in life are limitless.” – Bulgaria “Living in the moment, knowing and accepting any limitations – appreciating myself as a person.Adjusting to new lifestyle while ageing to enjoy life fully.” – UK What would you change in the Boot Camp process? “I really enjoyed the entirety of the process. Sometimes I felt we could do with a little more time but everything was great.” – UK “Nothing I think the Boot Camp was well balanced in all areas and was a good lead into areas that you might want to become more involved.” – UK How motivated do you feel to continue with the goals you have set yourself during the group? “I had already set goals before sessions, now I feel I can achieve them.” – Greece “Meditation helped me so I will practice it again.” – France |
| 3 Key learning Principles that were used in this good practice to support senior learners |
| 1. Active learning 2. Motivation and engagement 3. Collaborative learning |
| Any additional learning that we can take from this good practice example |
| During the Mindful Ageing Bootcamps in the UK, Greece, Bulgaria, France and Finland, over 70 participants have so far been introduced to Mindfulness concepts and practices and physical activities such as yoga, Tai chi and Zumba. Balanced with reflective practices such as mindful colouring, setting achievable goals, and writing a positive letter to themselves. In conjunction with the necessary theoretical backing. Emphasising the importance and benefit of considering all aspects of health: (mental, spiritual, social, environmental, intellectual and occupational) not just physical. The set tasks and activities served the dual purpose of building connections between the participants, who were looking to maintain fulfilling social activity in retirement – often perceived as an isolating time. |
| Any Additional Information |
| https://www.mindfulageing.eu/ https://youtu.be/YLcLZpTgJWs |