The WEA recently held a major conference on the benefits of taking part in learning for older people and called on the Northern Ireland Executive to invest in real lifelong learning rather than reducing the opportunities for older people.

‘No Age Limit: Securing the place of learning in later life’ was organised by the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) as part of its Older People Learning project.  The conference, which included a keynote address from Dr Gene Cohen, Director of the Centre on Ageing at George Washington State University, explored the wide range of benefits of learning to older people’s health and well being.

Stevie Johnston, WEA Director explains the importance of addressing these issues: “We have been involved in researching the benefits of learning in later life for some time now. Bringing together academic research and our experience of working with older people across Northern Ireland, we believe that taking part in learning can help reduce isolation, keep the body active, stimulate the mind, pass on new skills and even contribute to better health.

“Current government policy concentrates almost exclusively on young people which has unfortunately meant that there are fewer and fewer opportunities for older people to take part in affordable and suitable learning. The message emerging from research and from our conference today is that the Northern Ireland Executive should invest in real lifelong learning for everyone – such an investment will pay dividends in terms of the increased wellbeing of older people.”

Supporting WEA’s view on the benefits of learning in later life, Dr Gene Cohen said: “Studies are now identifying positive changes that occur because of ageing, not despite ageing. These new findings have major ramifications for lifelong learning, improved health and the overall enhanced qualify of life in the second half of life.”