CAMPAIGNERS from across Greater Manchester want to change the record on what people think of growing older in the region. 

People aged 50 and over have teamed up for a new campaign – Talking About My Generation - to smash stereotypes and show what it’s really like to age in the region.

The campaigners will be taking on a reporter’s role to share stories on people from their generation, to celebrate their lives and value in society, as well as highlighting challenges associated with ageing and how they are being overcome.

Pauline Smith, who is leading the campaign reports in Manchester, said: "People can see older people as wrinkly and past it or invisible. I want to change these perceptions, share people’s amazing stories to inspire people to live the life they choose, regardless of age, and show there are many new things to get involved in, in Greater Manchester, and that once you try new things – other doors open."

The Talking About My Generation Campaign will report on key issues for later life: from retirement and bereavement to staying active and social. The campaigners will share these reports through different medias; from hosting their own radio show, creating videos, writing news articles, poetry, photography, stage performances, podcasting and much more.

The campaign is part of Ambition for Ageing's Community Media project, with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, and is being co-delivered with the support of PR social enterprise Yellow Jigsaw and Age UK partners from Wigan, Salford, Tameside, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton and Manchester.

Grace Dyke, from Yellow Jigsaw, said: “We are at risk of sounding like a broken record when we talk about the older generation. It is not all purple rinses, nylon dresses, rocking chairs and mumbles of ‘back in my day’. 

“The Talking About My Generation Campaign is challenging these views and changing the record on growing older – showing what this is really like for people in Greater Manchester by celebrating people’s lives over the age of 50. Please join us to share how people are rocking retirement.”

Ambition for Ageing is part of Ageing Better, a programme set up by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. Ageing Better aims to develop creative ways for people aged over 50 to be actively involved in their local communities, helping to combat social isolation and loneliness. It is one of five major programmes set up by The National Lottery Community Fund to test and learn from new approaches to designing services which aim to make people’s lives healthier and happier. 

For more information on the campaign go to www.yellowjigsaw.co.uk/TalkingAboutMyGeneration or follow @MyGenerationGM