Young at Heart (YAH) is a
City of London scheme for people aged 50 and over which
provides a specially devised programme of physical activities,
health checks and advice for its members. Originally launched
in October 2005, the scheme has grown in both size and stature
across the City, with many members travelling from other
London boroughs to participate.
Recently relaunched on May 1, the scheme now offers members more
benefits than ever. The annual membership fee is just £10 for City
Residents and City of London estate residents, and £15 for
residents of other London boroughs, and members will receive the
following:
- Official YAH membership card
- Access to a wide range of designated activity sessions
- New style Young at Heart shopper bag
- Pedometer and steps record sheet
- Bi-monthly newsletter
- New easy-to-read activity timetable
- Monthly guided walks with City Sidewalks to various places in
and around the City and surrounding areas
- Subsidised access to specified Adult and Community Learning
courses (ACL)
- Quarterly health checks where we will measure your Body Mass
Index and blood pressure.
- Health and nutrition advice
- Birthday and Christmas cards
- Information on volunteering opportunities with both Sports
Development and City RSVP
- Invitation to Summer Outing
- Invitation to Anniversary Party
You can
download a copy of the activity
timetable showing all of the activities on offer, the
venues and session times.
The benefits of regular exercise can be achieved by everyone
regardless of age or ability. Doctors and health workers
acknowledge the benefits of exercise to the older age group and
many recommend regular exercise as part of preventative
measure. All the activities mentioned here have been designed
to improve the "quality of life" in an enjoyable and friendly
environment.
For those who do not wish to, or are
unable to partake in the more physical activities, we offer an
alternative aspect to the scheme. Each member is given a
pedometer - a step counter - to record the number of steps
they take each day. For some this may only be 2,000 steps,
others may achieve 6,000 a day, depending on your level of
mobility. The aim is to increase the number of steps taken
each day by at least 50, so that over a week, you increase
your total by 350.
On the health side of the programme, members are asked to
participate in free health checks where the City of London Sports
Development Team measures their height and weight to gain their
Body Mass Index, (BMI) and Blood Pressure. BMI is a ratio of weight
to height and helps to show if a person is within the normal weight
category in relation the general population. Participants are given
a copy of their results to take home, and another is kept on file
so that a progress check can be done to compare future results.
To read the latest newsletter, you can download
a copy here. To sign up to the scheme, you can
download a registration form; or
alternatively contact Sports Development on 020 7332 3899 or
email
sportsdevelopment@cityoflondon.gov.uk