Growing older in rural Lincolnshire can offer many advantages. Close-knit communities, open spaces, access to nature and a sense of belonging can all contribute to a fulfilling later life but as we age, does living in a rural community always provide the opportunities, connections and support we need to remain healthy, active and independent?

It's an important question, and one that emerges from research commissioned by Active Lincolnshire and undertaken independently by Healthwatch Lincolnshire.

The research explored how rural living influences health, wellbeing and physical activity in South Holland, particularly Sutton Bridge, Long Sutton and Holbeach.

More than 550 people shared their experiences through surveys and community conversations, with older residents particularly well represented. Of those survey respondents who disclosed their age, 54% were aged 65 or over.

Their experiences offer valuable insight into what it means to age well in a rural community and they remind us that staying active is about much more than exercise.

The benefits of rural living

There is much to celebrate about living in rural Lincolnshire. The research found that 72% of respondents believed rural living positively affected their health and wellbeing. Residents valued the peace, natural environment, open spaces and sense of community.

These are important assets, particularly as we grow older but enjoying the benefits of rural life and being able to access everything needed to remain healthy and independent are’nt necessarily the same thing.

The research identified challenges relating to transport, access to services, the condition of walking routes, affordability and the availability of local activities.

For older residents, particularly those experiencing changes in health or mobility, these factors can become increasingly important.

Physical activity and healthy ageing

Sport England's Active Lives research provides useful national context. The data highlighted in Active Lincolnshire's older adults insight shows that approximately 31% of adults aged 55–74 and 59% of those aged over 75 are physically inactive.

These figures underline the importance of creating opportunities that support people to remain active throughout later life, but physical activity doesn't have to mean attending a gym or participating in organised sport. Walking to the shops, gardening, joining a community activity, dancing or taking part in a gentle exercise session can all contribute to a more active lifestyle.

Movement can support strength, balance, mobility and confidence, helping people maintain their independence and continue doing the things they enjoy and just as importantly, activity can provide opportunities to connect with others.

Independence is about more than mobility

One of the strongest themes emerging from the research is the relationship between transport, accessibility and everyday life.

Across all respondents, 72% disagreed that rural living made getting around by public transport easy, while 58% disagreed that it made travelling by foot or bicycle easy.

These findings are not specific to older adults, but they raise important questions about how communities support people as their circumstances change.

What happens when someone can no longer drive? Can they reach local services, visit friends or attend activities? Are walking routes accessible and welcoming? Are there opportunities close enough to home?

For some older residents, the challenge may not be a lack of motivation to be active. It may be that the opportunities they would enjoy are simply difficult to reach. We cannot encourage people to remain active and independent without also considering whether their communities make that possible.

Connection, confidence and belonging

The research also highlights the relationship between physical activity and social connection.

Among respondents who experienced barriers to being active, 33% reported spending less time with other people, while 32% said they felt more isolated. These findings matter because an active life is also a connected life.

A regular walking group, community class or local activity can offer much more than physical benefits. It can provide friendship, routine, confidence and a reason to leave the house.

For someone living alone, particularly in a rural community, those opportunities can make a meaningful difference to everyday wellbeing.

This is why physical activity should be recognised not simply as a leisure activity, but as part of a wider approach to prevention, healthy ageing and community wellbeing.

Creating places that support healthy ageing

At Active Lincolnshire, our approach to Place recognises that people's health and opportunities are shaped by the communities in which they live. Creating active places means understanding those communities, recognising their strengths and working collectively to address the barriers that can limit participation.

That requires collaboration between local authorities, NHS and public health partners, transport and active travel colleagues, leisure providers, voluntary organisations, community groups and residents themselves.

There are opportunities to bring activities closer to where people live, improve awareness of existing provision, support accessible walking routes and make better use of community spaces. Importantly, solutions need to reflect the different circumstances, interests and abilities of older residents.

What works for someone in their late fifties may be very different from what works for someone in their eighties. Listening to residents and understanding those differences must remain central to our approach.

From insight to action

The Healthwatch Lincolnshire research gives us a valuable starting point. It helps us understand how the conditions of rural life can influence people's ability to remain active, independent and connected, but its real value lies in what we do with that understanding. By combining community insight with the expertise and resources of partners across Lincolnshire, we can help shape places that support healthier, more fulfilling later lives.

Ageing well isn't simply about living longer, it's about maintaining independence, enjoying meaningful relationships, feeling part of a community and having opportunities to continue doing the things that matter.

The question isn't simply how we encourage older people to be more active. It's whether we're collectively creating communities that make healthy, active and connected ageing possible.

Read the full research

Commissioned by Active Lincolnshire and undertaken by Healthwatch Lincolnshire, the Rurality Research Report explores residents' experiences of rural life in South Holland and the factors influencing health, wellbeing and physical activity.

Read the full Rurality Research Report to explore the findings and recommendations, and discover how community insight can help shape healthier, more active places.