Knowledge Exchange
Projects
Ongoing
Ageing Better with an Active Mind
Co-creation with University of Third Age (u3a) to promote healthy ageing and behavioural change within communities.
Ageing Better with an Active Mind is an exciting project focused on fundamental health issues confronting our society. This project was created to address the disconnect between national advice on healthy ageing and practices in Lancashire and Merseyside where the elderly population with dementia is higher than the national average.
We are delighted that our “Ageing Well with an Active Mind” project has been shortlisted for an Educate North award.
Coming Workshops
Workshop 14: Paper Folding and Wellbeing
27 February 2026, 11am-12pm
Venue: St Michael’s Church Hall, Aughton
Following the success of our recent tea ceremony workshop, members of the u3a UK (The Third Age Trust) Health and Wellbeing group suggested continuing to explore cultural traditions. We’re pleased to share that colleagues from the Confucius Institute at Edge Hill University will be leading this hands-on session. The workshop will explore cultural traditions, wellbeing, and a practical paper folding activity.
This session also aligns with the celebration of Chinese New Year in February, making it a wonderful opportunity to learn something new while celebrating cultural heritage together.
If you’re interested, please come and join us. We would love to see you there.
No upcoming workshops at the moment.
Previous Workshops
Workshop 13: Songs, Memory and Wellbeing
23 January 2026, 11am-12pm
Venue: St Michael’s Church Hall, Aughton
Speaker: Karen Ludke, Senior Lecturer at Edge Hill University
Workshop 12: Creative Writing and Wellbeing
21st November 2025, 11am-12pm
Venue: St Michael’s Church Hall, Aughton
Speaker: Emma Morgan, Liverpool-based author
Workshop 11: Tea Ceremony and Wellbeing
24th October 2025, 11am-12pm
Venue: St Michael’s Church Hall, Aughton
In this workshop, the Edge Hill University Confucius Institute introduced us to the history and philosophy behind the Tea Ceremony and the properties of different teas. From green tea to black tea, we learned how these varieties, rich in antioxidants, can help support immunity.
Workshop 10: Movement for a Meaningful Life
14th March 2025, 11:00am
Venue: St Michael’s Church Hall, Aughton
Speaker: George Barber, Physiotherapist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
Remember Me Event
26th April 2025
Venue: Outside Museum of Liverpool
Remember Me: Memory and the Brain was a fantastic event in Liverpool, bringing together around 100 participants aged 6 to 90 for an inspiring, intergenerational event. Part of the British Neuroscience Association’s #BNA2025 Bring Your Own Brain programme, the day featured five interactive stations exploring memory, brain health, and wellbeing – from immersive memory stories on the House of Memories bus to brain-building activities, dementia awareness games, and hands-on Chinese cultural workshops. The event boosted knowledge about memory by 60% and understanding of brain regions by 50%, contributing to our Ageing Better with an Active Mind initiative to promote brain health across the North West.
Workshop 9: Reading and Wellbeing
14th March 2025, 11:00
Venue: St Michael’s Church Hall, Aughton
Speaker: Dr Nicola Currie, Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University
Workshop 8: Social Prescribing and Wellbeing
24th January 2025
Speaker: Prof Michelle Howarth, Health & Social Care, Edge Hill University
Like Yesterday Showcase
Wednesday 4th December, 3-5pm
Venue: Rose Theatre, The Arts Centre, Edge Hill University
Like Yesterday: Movement, Memory, and Wellbeing is a practice-led research project that explores the intricate tapestry of memory, movement, and personal narrative. It’s lead researchers (James Hewison and Dr Dorothy Tse) are both based at Edge Hill University, UK and the project’s participants will include members of the University of the Third Age (U3A), Aughton and Ormskirk, Lancs. The project draws on Hewison’s research profile and professional expertise in choreography and autobiographical performance, and Tse’s work in neuroscience, memory, and ageing.
Like Yesterday Workshops
Workshop 1: 19th July 2024
Workshop 2: 27th August 2024
Workshop 3: 30th August, 2024
Venue: The Studio Theatre, Ground Floor of the Arts Centre, Edge Hill University
Like Yesterday: Movement, Memory, and Wellbeing is a practice-led research project that explores the intricate tapestry of memory, movement, and personal narrative. It’s lead researchers (James Hewison and Dr Dorothy Tse) are both based at Edge Hill University, UK and the project’s participants will include members of the University of the Third Age (U3A), Aughton and Ormskirk, Lancs. The project draws on Hewison’s research profile and professional expertise in choreography and autobiographical performance, and Tse’s work in neuroscience, memory, and ageing.
Workshop 7: Alcohol's Impact on Mental Health and Wellbeing
14th June 2024
Speaker: Dr Jo-Anne Puddephatt, Edge Hill University
Workshop 6: Sustainable diets for a healthy community and planet
26 April 2024
Speaker: Dr Claire Blennerhassett, Senior lecturer, Edge Hill University
Workshop 5: The Importance of Touch
1 December 2023
Mr James Hewison led a dance contact improvisation workshop. This session emphasised the importance of touch, social interactions, and movement activities.
Workshop 4: The Sense of Touch
3 November 2023
Dr Susannah Walker led an insightful seminar focused on the sense of touch and its importance to our health and well-being.
Showcase
20 September 2023
The primary objective of the Showcase event was to present the outcomes of the workshop series and bring together participants for a collective celebration of healthy ageing. This gathering featured presentations from experts in the fields of neuroscience and public health. To conclude the event on an entertaining note, attendees were treated to captivating dance performances, ranging from acrobatic displays to line dancing and tap routines.
Workshop 3: Emotional Health and the Social World
11 November 2022
Dr. Nicola van Rijsbergen led an interactive session on emotional health, ageing, and the importance of maintaining social connections in later life. The workshop recieved positive feedbacks along with the others. Consistent with previous workshops, the feedback was very positive.
Workshop 2: Physical Activity and Active Mind
21 October 2022
This is the second workshop in the Ageing Better with an Active Mind series. Dr. David Marchant led the talk, delving into how physical activity impacts cognition and the best types of physical activity for the ageing population. It was emphasised that the social aspects of physical activity are crucial for well-being. This workshop saw over 40 attendees, an increase from the first one, indicating that participants are enjoying the discussions and finding them helpful.
Workshop 1: Memory and Dementia
20 September 2022
This workshop provided a comprehensive overview of types of memory, normal cognitive decline, and the various forms of dementia. Attendees praised the session as brilliant, friendly, and very interesting, finding the content both informative and enjoyable. This workshop is the first part of a series designed to promote healthy ageing in the Merseyside and Lancashire areas.
Healthy Brain, Healthy Life
2022
Funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK. Collaboration with Bournemouth University and Health Watch Dorset. Co-create interactive workshops about brain health and dementia prevention for minority ethnic communities.
Brain Bee
2017-2021
Engagement with high school students. Organised Edinburgh Brain Bee competitions to promote neuroscience education. Winners of Edinburgh Brain Bee competitions joined National Brain Bee competitions.
Organiser of Neuroscience and Art competition for high school students.
Engagement with primary school students at St. Peter’s Primary school to talk about ‘Being a neuroscientist’.
