By Venetia Young FRCGP – Clinically Retired GP, Family Therapist, Safeguarding Lead, Narrative Medical Educator & Writer, Penrith, Cumbria, UK and Gareth Presch, CEO, World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS), Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Gareth Presch, CEO of the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS), to begin an exciting new chapter focused on Seniors’ health and wellbeing in Cumbria.
Together, we are launching WHISSeniors Cumbria — an initiative exploring innovative, community-led approaches to reducing social isolation and strengthening community cohesion across our region. This work builds on foundations established by WHIS in Barrow-in-Furness prior to COVID-19, particularly the success of Furness Wellness Days at Walney Cottage.
There, local residents trained to lead activities such as chair yoga, pilates, meditation, and reflexology — creating welcoming spaces where people could connect, build friendships, and support their wellbeing. The insight driving the programme was simple yet powerful: **happiness helps people manage illness better within their community.**Alongside physical activities, social spaces like “natter groups” and knitting circles fostered companionship and belonging, supported by links to primary care through Burnett Edgar Medical Centre.
Importantly, the model evolved from external facilitation to community ownership — with local people trained to lead sessions themselves. This transition lies at the heart of sustainable health innovation.
Inspired by this approach, WHISSeniors Cumbria will:
- Address social isolation among older adults
- Promote preventative, person-centred health
- Strengthen intergenerational connections
- Support social prescribing
- Develop locally led activities shaped by community voice
A Global Perspective
Cumbria’s work reflects a wider global shift.
Across the UK and worldwide, societies are seeing a rapid rise in retired citizens with vast professional and life experience yet systems still treat seniors primarily as care recipients rather than contributors.
Older adults represent one of the world’s most underutilised human capital assets. Many want to mentor, co-create, volunteer, and lead — contributing to communities through what is increasingly described as “third-age entrepreneurship.”
This blends social value, micro-enterprise, mentoring, and community leadership — not traditional business growth, but purpose-driven participation.
Linking to WHISSeniors in WHIS Chapters
Through WHIS Volunteer Chapters and the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, WHISSeniors forms part of a growing global movement empowering communities to co-create health and wellbeing solutions.
These chapters act as:
- Platforms for senior-led initiatives
- Prevention and social prescribing hubs
- Intergenerational innovation networks
- Spaces for mentoring, volunteering, and enterprise More than 120 Champions and Volunteers worldwide are already driving grassroots action — strengthening connection, prevention, and community resilience.
Looking Ahead
Launching WHISSeniors Cumbria marks the beginning of an important journey.
By listening to our communities and enabling local leadership, we aim to create spaces where older adults feel:
Connected • Valued • Active • Supported
Because healthy ageing is not a system burden — it is a catalyst for innovation, cohesion, and societal value.
To learn more or get involved: gareth@whis.world | info@whis.world
Together, we can ensure that no one ages in isolation.
Venetia Young FRCGP