Our reporter, Pauline Smith, visited Purmerend, a small town of 80.000 people, which is just North of Amsterdam with her son last year, and was struck by how many older people were clearly active, mobile and fit. Here she gives us an insight into what we can learn from those growing older and staying active

Kate O’Donnell, the artistic director of Trans Creative presented for one night only at one of Manchester’s iconic venues – the Royal Exchange Theatre. It was a dazzling line up of trans and non-binary performers in a performance titled 100 Trans Voices as part of the Trans Vegas three day event in the city. Our

Our FIRST EVER podcast 'Change The Record' is NOW LIVE for our Talking About Our Generation campaign! Listen to our special report on Active Ageing here. A big thank you goes to @SilentVic for helping us to upskill our team of reporters in the art of podcasting and podcast editing! Watch this space for our

The legend that is Sir Ian McKellen is touring the UK at the age of 80 giving 80 one man shows at various venues across the country.  Our reporter Pauline Smith was lucky enough to catch him at HOME Manchester with others from the Pride in Ageing programme. Here she relives the evening from Gandalf to the Globe - and

FULL NAME: Rik Whittaker AGE: 68 REPORTER PATCH: Wigan and Leigh Reporter Rik Whittaker, from Lowton, has a keen interest in music, photography, dance, travel, and education. After retiring from Civic Service, Rik attended The University of Salford to complete a Computer Science degree and Masters in Technology and Education. He now promotes STEM careers going

FULL NAME:  Carole Ogden AGE:  58 REPORTER PATCH: Bolton Our reporter, Carole Ogden, is originally from East Sussex, but has lived in Bolton nearly 30 years. Carole took voluntary redundancy at 55 for health reasons and to care for her mum, who had dementia. She is a poet and chair of a Big Local project in

FULL NAME: Pauline Smith AGE: 71 REPORTER PATCH: Manchester Our reporter, Pauline Smith, moved back to the UK in late 2007 at age 59, after 30 years living and working in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands with no active personal network and as a trans woman. Now she has a network of friends and is

Name: Lesley Downing Age: 61 Reporter patch: Bury Our reporter, Lesley Downing, split her career between nursing and as an archive assistant. She is semi-retired now and is doing casual work as an extra/support artist.   She recently moved back to the North West after having lived abroad and in the south of England since

FULL NAME: Tony Openshaw AGE: 64 REPORTER PATCH: Manchester Our reporter, Tony Openshaw, set up Asylum Support Housing Advice (ASHA) in 2004 – helping 7,000 people seeking asylum in Greater Manchester.   He retired in 2015 and joined Out In The City, a social and support group for members of the LGBT+ communities aged over

FULL NAME: Christine Duffin AGE: 59 REPORTER PATCH: MANCHESTER Our reporter, Christine Duffin, used 'meet up' when she retired to find out about social opportunities and networks and is now part of walking group that goes as far   and wide as Granada, and also volunteers at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Stretford Public Hall, Age