The Wise Guide

The Wise Guide is a directory of useful contacts to help older people stay healthy, independent, social and active.

It is estimated that one in every eight households across Hampshire is occupied by a pensioner living alone and Fareham has experienced the largest rise of residents aged over 85 across Hampshire in the last 20 years.

Loneliness and social isolation can be a problem for some older people, so The Wise Guide has been produced to provide a one-stop directory addressing the needs of older people in the Fareham Community and help them remain active and engaged in their community and reduce isolation and loneliness.

We urge you to share these details with friends, family or neighbours who may find it useful.

You can also download the PDF to print The Wise Guide at home (1 MB). 

In addition, Hampshire County Council has created the Connect to Support pages , providing links to all sorts of support for older people.  This includes advice on health and wellbeing, tips for hospital stays and retirement planning.

Live Longer Better

Fareham Borough Council has been awarded grant funding by Hampshire County Council, to launch physical activity sessions for older people across the Borough. The funding from the 'Live Longer Better' programme, has enabled the Council to team up with Everyone Active to offer those aged over 55 the chance to experience a range of physical activity sessions in community locations across the Borough.

Once registered, residents can enjoy four weeks of free classes, and continue at £5 per session thereafter. Classes have been arranged to take place in the heart of communities that are currently lacking these opportunities, to make them as accessible as possible. 

Classes on offer are:

• Low impact dance - Thursdays at 10.45am at Hill Park WI in Fareham Park
• Seated yoga - Wednesdays at 12.30pm at the Sarisbury Green Social Club in Park Gate
• Falls prevention - Wednesdays at 1pm at Broadlaw Community Centre in the Fort Fareham Ward

To sign up, please contact Everyone Active on 01329 233652, or by visiting Holly Hill or Fareham Leisure Centres.

The Live Longer Better programme is designed to improve healthy life expectancies and quality of life for older people. Physical activity for older people is vitally important as being more active can:

• Reduce the symptoms of joint and back pain by 25%
• Increase strength and balance and reduce falls by 30%
• Improve symptoms of depression
• Increase energy levels and independence.
• Reduce symptoms of long-term conditions
• Improve quality of life
• Improve quality of sleep

The Council has also used the Live Longer Better funding to provide two of its Sheltered Housing Officers with professional training to deliver seated exercise classes to its sheltered housing residents across Fareham. Session details will be advertised within each sheltered housing scheme

Activities around the Borough for older residents

There are a variety of social, craft and active groups for older residents which take place at community centres, leisure centres and church halls as well as other community buildings. Information on these can be found on their websites. If you would like to share your activity below, please email leisure@fareham.gov.uk.

Community Cafe at Fareham Leisure Centre - Every Thursday 11am-12noon, starting 20th March. Join in for a friendly chat, hot drinks and board games. Bring a friend or come on your own, there's always a friendly face to greet you and keep you company.