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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Would this idea interest you?

47 replies

FactFinder · 02/04/2024 17:20

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I wonder if it would be of interest to others.
When it comes to providing services, people between the ages of 50 and 65 are usually forgotten about. Services tend to be aimed at children, teenagers, young adults, and parents, and then it feels like anyone over the age of 55 is considered decrepit, which, as we all know, is not the case. It's a bit like on X-factor when they tried to tell us, the over 25s were ancient when they really weren't. The actress Vicky McClure has proved this with her daytime club events - clearly, there's a market for social events and things for people of this age range. I know there is the women's institute and things like that, but to me, that doesn't exactly appeal, and a lot of the activities make me feel ancient. I'm considering starting a Business and the best way to describe it is 'like a students union mixed with a David Lloyd gym', but aimed at people 50 plus. It would have cool events, a gym and spa, classes and education services, as well as creative workshops and local volunteer programmes. The aim is to harness a sense of community and wellness and allow people who want to achieve things to actually do it!

So my questions are these...
Do you think there is a gap in the market for this?
Would you get involved?

OP posts:
Pluvas · 02/04/2024 17:24

I am the target age range and yes I would be interested

brocollilover · 02/04/2024 17:25

presumably you have huge huge funds at your disposal?

BandyMcBandface · 02/04/2024 17:26

I’m not the target range (I’m in my 40s) but would also be interested if you were to expand the age range

There’s definitely a gap on the market for people who aren’t young adults, parents, or retired.

AmaryllisChorus · 02/04/2024 17:29

I might be interested. But I'd need to know you are not reinventing the wheel. I am nearly 60 but go to fitness classes not targeted at my age but open to all ages. Same with talks, events - none of the things that interest me are age specific, they are open to all. The social side of things might be good, though, We can find ourselves as empty nesters in need of friendship with others in a similar life stage.

OldTinHat · 02/04/2024 17:32

I'm in the target range and where I live there are so many choices for this kind of thing. From education, computing, craft, art, exercise classes, theatre groups - you name it, my area has it. It's great!

Original poster
FactFinder · 02/04/2024 17:35

OldTinHat · 02/04/2024 17:32

I'm in the target range and where I live there are so many choices for this kind of thing. From education, computing, craft, art, exercise classes, theatre groups - you name it, my area has it. It's great!

But would you find it all in one place? The Idea for this is that it would be like a premium service.
Also where roughly is it you're from? Is it a franchise thing or just specific to your area

-any feedback helps! x

OP posts:
merryhouse · 02/04/2024 17:57

But why would we need them to all be in one place? Why does my gym need to be in the same building as my Russian class? - and why have you dragged a mini-ring down there when there's a perfectly good tower in the local church?

Would you have things like the WI, given that you personally don't want it?

There are things going on. We don't need more things, we need more people to do them.

Harvestfestivalknickers · 02/04/2024 18:07

I think its a good idea but if its all in one place, I can't think of a venue that would have classrooms, gym, spa and workshops in my town?
I think what my town needs is competent, engaging people to run the the sorts of events your target audience want. We have loads of groups but not necessarily the right people running them. Too many are run on a shoestring in the 'wrong' venue.

Lanore · 02/04/2024 18:10

It depends where you live. I’m in a semi-rural commuter village and all the services are aimed at one of two groups: under age 5, and over age 60. It is a fantastic place to be old with, off the top of my head, over 15 activities for age 60+ a week.

In our area there is absolutely nothing for age 10-17 apart from Scouts, which has a waiting list years long. It’s teens and preteens who need services.

Philandbill · 02/04/2024 18:15

the best way to describe it is 'like a students union mixed with a David Lloyd gym', but aimed at people 50 plus. It would have cool events, a gym and spa, classes and education services, as well as creative workshops and local volunteer programmes. The aim is to harness a sense of community and wellness and allow people who want to achieve things to actually do it!

I do quite like this idea but then I'm one of life's 'joiners'. Sadly working a 55-60 hour week means I just don't have the time at present. And I suspect when I retire or reduce my working days, hopefully in sux years time, I won't have the income. I think what you're suggesting is quite niche sadly.

Gazelda · 02/04/2024 18:20

There are quite a few activities for this age range locally. Not in a central hub, but spread around the community.

However, they're all morning or afternoon. Completely inaccessible to those work 9-5, which is very frustrating.

And there's also U3A.

I'd love a one stop shop for over 50s activities. But it'd only be suitable for me if it were evenings/weekends.

TokyoSushi · 02/04/2024 18:20

Yes, but I'd want it to be 'nice' which would mean you'd need enormous funds to set it up!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 02/04/2024 18:23

I like it (am in the target age range), as long is it's evenings. Many (most) of us in this age range are working, and certainly around me (where it's very rural), anything of this nature tends to assume we're retired or 'ladies of leisure'. It would be nice to be able to have a guaranteed place to mix and socialise that isn't a pub (I don't drink) and with people who are my own age.

isitbananatimealready · 02/04/2024 18:23

What I find frustrating is that there are a number of 50+ activities and things round here, but guess what?

They are all during the daytime when I, and no doubt most other women, are at work.

It doesn't seem to have occurred to the organisers that the majority of women in the 50 to 67/68 age range are still working, we can't retire yet because we've been stuffed by the retirement age change, and we are most definitely not available during working hours.

Original poster
FactFinder · 02/04/2024 18:27

merryhouse · 02/04/2024 17:57

But why would we need them to all be in one place? Why does my gym need to be in the same building as my Russian class? - and why have you dragged a mini-ring down there when there's a perfectly good tower in the local church?

Would you have things like the WI, given that you personally don't want it?

There are things going on. We don't need more things, we need more people to do them.

The idea is focused on the social element, which, as others have stated, is a key reason they would join. It fosters a sense of community. It would also make it more convenient, as people wouldn't have to travel to different locations, meaning more people would sign up for things. There is also the accessibility element, as it would be accessible to all users, whereas other local services might lack this. For example, wheelchair ramps. It also means there would be streamlined communication as people could easily find information regarding events, resources and support services. And finally, it would also be more cost-effective. One membership with this business would pay for access to all. It might be that local groups, such as Russian classes, would be invited to host their classes at the venue. That way, skilled local people could benefit from it too.

If you wish to keep other classes as well as join whatever this business becomes, that would be okay, too!

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback

OP posts:
dodobookends · 02/04/2024 18:46

... and then it feels like anyone over the age of 55 is considered decrepit...

I don't know about decrepit, but they are definitely considered 'retired', and activities for that age group are scheduled accordingly. The assumption is that they are available for daytime activities.

winceywillis · 02/04/2024 18:52

Sounds like the U3A but for a slightly younger age group.

RenoDakota · 02/04/2024 18:54

No because I don't like to be pigeonholed by age.

tomorrowisanotherdate · 02/04/2024 19:02

Im in that age group and I might be interested. I am involved with lots of things though, voluntary work, conservation, politics, private tuition, RSPB, evening classes, church, gym, running clubs, and of course the day job.

I suppose if you were opening an activity centre for the middle aged women, I would be interested in - nice lunches, exercise classes, conversation classes in different languages, a choir for people who can't sing very well😂some dancing lessons maybe, but very structured and with lots of instructions, maybe line dancing? The chance to be in working parties tackling community jobs, maybe some coach trips, (to museums, zoos, gardens, nature reserves, sports events) also a bar with darts and pool table, speaker evenings, like authors, politicians, etc, maybe a careers service? Make these speaker evenings very social, with time to ask questions, refreshments, mingling time, etc. Craft workshops, craft groups,

This is a bit of a wild wish list! I would probably come along to some of this

calligraphee · 02/04/2024 19:04

Yes but I think 50-65 is too narrow. I'd pitch it at 40-65 so all of middle age.

calligraphee · 02/04/2024 19:06

Sad really, I feel a lot of this stuff used to be provided by night classes and other similar things.

Night classes barely exist now.

NewName24 · 02/04/2024 19:08

I'm in your target age bracket and it's a big NO from me.

I agree with @merryhouse - it makes no sense to try to put all this in one building when there are all these activities about all over the place.

The idea is focused on the social element, which, as others have stated, is a key reason they would join. It fosters a sense of community. It would also make it more convenient, as people wouldn't have to travel to different locations, meaning more people would sign up for things.

But I already have a sense of community from the activity. That activity being in the same building as someone else's activity doesn't help me at all.

I don't understand the bit about traveling to different locations.

NewName24 · 03/04/2024 00:07

calligraphee · 02/04/2024 19:06

Sad really, I feel a lot of this stuff used to be provided by night classes and other similar things.

Night classes barely exist now.

True.
Also there were no age limits on night classes.

Xmasbaby11 · 03/04/2024 00:13

there is already a lot available around me (Sheffield) and so many activities I’d do if I had the time and money. I’m 48 and busy with work and kids. My friends in their 50s and 60s have a great time.

kerminim · 04/04/2024 01:38

I'm in London and there are plenty of these activities available for adults - doesn't tend to be targeted at that age group, but I think it's quite a narrow age group tbh and I've gone to classes/gym etc with 20-60 year olds and there's been no need to separate age groups any more. We have lots of night classes and daytime adult ed classes in easy travelling distance.

Personally I prefer having activities all over rather than in one building/by one organisation - it's nice to broaden your social group and also I think specialist activities are best done by the specialists. There are similar family clubs for kids and I never liked using them because the music classes were better at the music school, gym classes better at the gym club. As an adult if I want to learn something I'd probably choose an evening class at Birkbeck rather than a social/gym club.