A new eight-week course is to be trialled in Bristol aimed at highlighting the positive aspects of ageing and helping people to plan psychologically for their retirement. Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is supporting this course as part of its Transitions in Later Life strand of work and, if successful, the pilot could be rolled out nationwide.

We often hear about the importance of financial planning for retirement, but there is little emphasis on emotional planning and wellbeing during this stage of life. This course is aimed at helping people aged over 50 to improve their emotional resilience and overcome the negative attitude that retirement has.

The course is the brainchild of Miriam Akhtar and Guy Robertson – two experts in the field of ageing and positive psychology. Akhtar is a leading positive psychologist and author of Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression. Guy Robertson was commissioned by the Foundation to write Transitions in Later Life: Scoping Research and Transitions in Later Life: Summary of Research and Consultation.

A range of techniques such as positive psychology, mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will be used in the course to help build people’s resilience and positivity towards retirement.

“We need to look at old age as the Third Act of our lives – an opportunity to do new and interesting things. Of course bad things happen in life, and in older life we probably will eventually come up against issues around our health and bereavement, but it’s all about having the emotional resilience in place before such a crisis, so we know how best to deal with them emotionally”.

Miriam Akhtar

For further information about taking part in this free course, which will begin in North Bristol on 19 April, visit www.positiveageing.org.uk, call 07514 751966 or email [email protected].