Over 60s commit to get fit

MORE than a thousand people have already signed up for Liverpool’s new Senior Lifestyles Card, before it has even launched.  The £200,000 scheme - funded by the city council and Liverpool PCT, will go live on 1 December 2008, offering residents aged over 60 free swimming, gym membership, badminton, squash and tennis at all 13 Lifestyles fitness centres across the city of Liverpool.

It is part of an ambitious drive to improve the health and fitness of Liverpool’s 70,000 senior citizens, by getting every adult to take part in 30 minutes of physical activity 5 times a week, reducing the growing problem of obesity and helping people stay healthy.  Lifestyles centres across the city have been overwhelmed with people asking for application forms since they became available at the beginning of the month, and so far 1,200 have signed up.

Council leader Warren Bradley said:- “There has been an incredible amount of interest in this pioneering new scheme, which is designed to be of real and lasting benefit to thousands of senior citizens.  We want to get everyone as fit and healthy as possible and reduce heart disease and obesity which are massive killers among older people in Liverpool.  Improving fitness can be fun as well as rewarding, and it’s a chance to meet new people. I am urging residents to get their friends, neighbours and anyone else they know involved so they can get fit together.  We have first class leisure facilities in this city with top of the range equipment.  For anyone who is not eligible for free admission, there are great deals on monthly and annual passes and they are far cheaper than the private sector.  There really is no excuse for not getting fit in Liverpool!”

The city council already offers free leisure passes to 60,000 under 17s in Liverpool. Since it was launched in 2006, the “Lifestyle Futures” programme increased the number of young people using fitness centres by a massive 60%. It is hoped the senior citizens’ scheme will attract a similar increase.  A full review will be carried out after four months to evaluate the scheme and decide on the long term free use of leisure facilities.

Gideon Ben Tovim, chair of Liverpool PCT said:- “Undertaking healthy lifestyle changes, such as becoming more active, can help to lengthen your life so this initiative will make a positive difference to the health of our older residents in the city.  This initiative compliments Liverpool’s Million Pound Challenge, a year long campaign being managed by the PCT, which is asking the city to join together to collectively pledge to lose a million pounds of weight and adopt healthier lifestyles.”

The scheme goes much further than a new government scheme encouraging councils to offer free swimming for over 60s from next April (2009). The new Senior Lifestyles Card is only available to residents aged 60 years or over who reside within the boundaries of Liverpool City Council. Application forms are available from all Lifestyles centres, or can be downloaded from the city council’s website.  Proof of age and residency in the city need to be provided.  The scheme does not include golf or any coached activity or team sport.  Free access to the city’s Lifestyle Centres is from the time of opening to 4pm each weekday and from 12 noon at weekends. It will be subject to the opening hours of each centre and availability outside organised group activities. 

Martin taking to the helm

MARTIN King is swapping his Director’s chair for the helm of the world famous Mersey Ferries in Liverpool.  Martin, Director of Tourism at The Mersey Partnership for the last four years, has joined Merseytravel to take up the role of Mersey Ferries’ General Manager.

Speaking about his appointment, Martin said:- “I am absolutely delighted to have been given the chance to head up the Mersey Ferries at such an important time in their history.  Having worked to sell the region as a brand, I know how widely regarded and loved the ferries are across the world. As the commentary I have heard so often says... "Welcome to the most famous ferry service in the world."   The next few years, particularly with the Pier Head Ferry Terminal being redeveloped and a number of new attractions coming on line in 2009, will be incredibly exciting. I know how much great work goes on at the ferries and I am looking forward to building on this with the team there.  With the 3 ferries and terminals, the new U-Boat Story attraction and Spaceport, I’m not expecting the same day twice!”

Like his predecessor, Martin will not be responsible for the management of The Beatles Story.  Martin took over from former General Manager of the Ferries, Paul Bunnell, who retired from Merseytravel on Friday, 14 November 2008.

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, which owns and operates the ferries, added:- “Paul Bunnell has been a fantastic servant for the Mersey Ferries, for Merseytravel and for Merseyside for many years.  In Martin we know we have someone that can pick up Paul’s great work and deliver our world class ambitions for the Mersey Ferries – as a product, an attraction and one of the region’s best loved brands. Martin comes with a fantastic track record and we are delighted that he has agreed to help us realise our world class ambitions for the ferries.  We want to continue to make sure the ferries are the most popular paid for attraction in the region and that we play our role in strengthening the position of Merseyside as a “must see” world destination.”

Over the past 10 years, Merseytravel has invested some £50million in the development of the Mersey Ferries business.