Book: The New Frontier

Making a difference in later life

As the proportion of people over 65 in the UK increases, a better understanding of what underpins an active later life is becoming more important – to all of us.

In a series of interviews with remarkable people over 70, all of them nominated for the annual Times-Sternberg award, The New Frontier documents the impact of different influences over their lives and provides readers with a unique viewpoint on how important it is that we make – and are seen to make – a valuable contribution to society at all ages and especially older age.

Ranging from Dame Esther Rantzen, and her work in setting up Silverline, a helpline for the elderly, to John Lubbock, the founder of the Orchestra of St. John’s, which tours the country providing music to families and children living with autism, the interviews confirm the importance of taking a positive view of old age and its possibilities, both for the individual and their community.

Reviews

The huge contribution that older people make to society is so well exampled in this excellent book. Each section is testimony to the ingenuity, and sheer determination of extraordinary people to contribute to society. It gives the lie to any idea that the older generations do not give back to society.

The Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Kings Heath PC, OBE

I welcome The New Frontier: Making a Difference in Later Life as a valuable supplement to and illustration of aspects of the work being done by the New Dynamics of Ageing (NDA) Programme, the most ambitious research programme on ageing ever undertaken in the UK.

Baroness Sally Greengross, OBE

Read the Age UK blog about The New Frontier  – Productivity has no age limit (16th January 2019)