A DRIVE to boost health and wellbeing across Dumfries and Galloway is calling on people to take simple daily steps towards ageing well this May.
The Take Five to Age Well campaign is being promoted locally by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership as part of a wider, ongoing push to encourage early action that supports long-term wellbeing.
Lynne Mann, lead AHP community health and social care, said: “Ageing well isn’t just about reacting to illness later in life — it’s about taking small, manageable steps early on that can have a huge impact in the long run.
“Take Five to Age Well is just one part of a bigger picture in Dumfries and Galloway, where we’re promoting a wide range of activity through campaigns and initiatives like DG Doing More, Ageing Well, Community Appointment Days and Active Lives Pathways.
“Together, they support a more proactive approach to health and independence for our communities.”
She added: “A healthier approach to living means better quality of life, and it’s likely to be key in ensuring local health and social care systems are able to meet treatment and care needs in years to come.”
Developed by The Open University in partnership with Age UK, the campaign invites individuals to sign up for free and take part in a simple challenge throughout May. Participants choose one small action each day in five key areas known to support healthy ageing: Eat, Drink, Move, Connect and Engage, and Think.
They get regular emails packed with tips, ideas, and inspiration — from trying a new vegetable or standing on one leg while brushing teeth, to engaging in creative activities or social meetups.
Locally, those who sign up and complete the challenge will be in with a chance to win one of three one-month passes for Dumfries and Galloway Council leisure facilities.
Backed by growing research, the Take Five to Age Well campaign highlights how 70 to 80 per cent of our ageing process is shaped by environmental factors rather than genetics, meaning small, daily choices really do matter.
Lynne Mann said: “We’re asking local organisations, groups, and individuals to help spread the word. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s based on sound evidence. Whatever your age, or whether just thinking about the future, this is a chance to start building habits that support physical and mental wellbeing for years to come.”
Sign up to the Take Five to Age Well challenge now at: www.bit.ly/takefivetoagewell
For more on local activity and how to stay active in everyday life, visit DG Doing More at https://dgdoingmore.co.uk/
