Find out about the amazing choice of physical activities suitable for older people across the Barnsley borough in our directory below.
Search for a group or class which suits you. You will find details of where and when they meet and what they do. There’s also a phone and/or email to get in touch. Most are daytime activities either free or low cost.
This directory is brought to you by The Barnsley Older People Physical Activity Alliance (BOPPAA) led by Age UK Barnsley and funded by Barnsley Council.
BOPPAA aims to increase participation in physical activities that improve the strength, balance and wellbeing of older people. It brings together NHS, public and private sector and voluntary organisations offering physical activity opportunities suitable for everyone in their 50s and above.
For further information, call Age UK Barnsley on 01226 776820 or email enquiries@ageukbarnsley.org.uk. *NB Each provider is responsible for delivery of their own activities/services – please see their contacts in the directory below.
You can browse through all the listings or filter by the type of activity you’re interested in, the part of borough where you live (please Show Map to see what each area covers) or the day of the week you want to get active.
Provider: U3A
Venue: Variable
Level: Other
Booking essential
Tuesday Walking. All walks meet at 9:45am for a 10am start and will be approximately 5 to 6 miles long. The walks vary in severity so please do check with the leader if you have any concerns about suitability.
Intermediate/Advanced. Please note that the Tuesday walking group is currently fully booked. If you wish to speak to Barnsley U3A’s New Members Secretary about joining the U3A, please telephone 07512206285. If there is no reply do leave a message and you will be contacted. Website: u3asites.org.uk/barnsley/home.
Provider: Barnsley Premier Leisure
Area: South
Venue: Hoyland Leisure Centre
Level: Moderate intensity
Booking essential
Using the water to support your body weight, this is an aerobic and toning workout to music in the pool. Great for those who love a challenging workout without any impact on the joints.
This activity is for all ages. Call 01226 744063 or email hoylandenquiries@bpl.org.uk.
Provider: Healthy Bones
Area: North East
Venue: Carlton Village Hall
Level: Other
Booking essential
A fun way to keep active, and improve your general wellbeing.
Falls Prevention - Entry/Intermediate/Advanced. First six sessions are free. £3 per session thereafter. To book, call Bronia at Healthy Bones on 07895 380615.
Provider: U3A
Venue: Stocksbridge Leisure Centre
Booking essential
To speak to Barnsley U3A's New Members Secretary about joining the U3A, please call 07512 206285. If there is no reply leave a message and you will be contacted.
Provider: Emmanuel Methodist Church
Area: North
Venue: Emmanuel Methodist Church, Huddersfield Road, Barnsley S75 1DT
Booking essential
A 45 minute exercise class to suit all levels of fitness and ability, followed by chatting over tea or coffee (with biscuits).
Designed to promote fitness, fun and friendship for people with dementia and their carers. For more details please contact Lynn on 07775 948347.
Provider: Sprint Swim Academy
Area: North
Venue: Sprint Swim Academy, Mapplewell Business Park
Booking essential
Are you over the age of 50? Sprint Swim Academy is offering Aqua Aerobics classes - free for the first 10 weeks, and £8.95 thereafter. Following the session, why not visit our friendly cafe and enjoy food and a FREE hot drink whilst socialising with others?
Limited spaces available. To book and secure your place, please call Sprint's reception desk on 01226 661521.
Provider: Barnsley FC Community Trust
Area: Central
Venue: Worsbrough Common Community Centre
Level: Light intensity
Booking essential
Social exercise class.
For further information contact Hannah Wright via email: hannah.wright@barnsleyfc.co.uk.
Start date: 2022-04-22 End date: 2022-10-22<
Provider: U3A
Area: Penistone
Venue: Penistone Bowling Club
Level: Other
Booking essential
The group plays between 10.30am and 12.30pm at Penistone Bowling Club. Due to new regulations from the BCGBA body, bowlers at any bu3a organised group have to be associate or casual bowlers of that club if not already full members.
Beginner. Please note that the Tuesday morning slot is currently fully booked. If you wish to speak to Barnsley U3A’s New Members Secretary about joining the U3A, please telephone 07512206285. If there is no reply do leave a message and you will be contacted. Website: u3asites.org.uk/barnsley/home.
Provider: Barnsley Premier Leisure
Area: Dearne
Venue: Dearneside Leisure Centre
Level: Moderate intensity
Booking essential
Using the water to support your body weight, this is an aerobic and toning workout to music in the pool. Great for those who love a challenging workout without any impact on the joints.
This activity is for all ages. Dearneside Leisure Centre – Call 01709 880040 or email dearnesideenquiries@bpl.org.uk.
Start date: 2025-01-07
Provider: Sprint Swim Academy
Area: North
Venue: Sprint Swim Academy, Mapplewell Business Park
Booking essential
Are you over the age of 50? Sprint Swim Academy is offering Aqua Aerobics classes - free for the first 10 weeks, and £8.95 thereafter. Following the session, why not visit our friendly cafe and enjoy food and a FREE hot drink whilst socialising with others?
Limited spaces available. To book and secure your place, please call Sprint's reception desk on 01226 661521.
Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks
Area: South
Venue: Meeting point: Outside the Teepot Café in the park, S74 8EY
Level: Moderate intensity
Elsecar Park Wellbeing Walk. Join walk leaders Pete and Ken for a gentle walk around Elsecar Park and the surrounding fields. This walk is suitable for beginners; however, the surface is slightly uneven with a slight incline. There are 2 stiles to climb over and the walk can be muddy if it's been raining a few days before. There is an alternative route that is shorter and avoids the stiles. The walk is dog friendly, but they are asked to be kept on a lead. The walk is family friendly, however, the route isn't suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. There are some poles available to borrow if required for the walk. Join the group for a post-walk drink at one of the local cafes. There is a free car park near the Elsecar Heritage Centre, or you can catch the Stagecoach bus 136 that stops just before Elsecar Park.
For further information contact: peter-bmv@hotmail.com or Barnsley Wellbeing Walks: sport&activerecreation@barnsley.gov.uk.
Provider: Barnsley Premier Leisure
Area: North East
Venue: Royston Leisure Centre
Level: Light intensity/Moderate intensity
Booking essential
Pilates is a head to toe fitness method. This mat-based exercise class will take you through a conditioning routine to improve strength, flexibility and endurance and is a great way to build skills that will carry over into your sporting activities and everyday life.
This activity is for all ages. Royston Leisure Centre - Call 01226 722991 or email roystonenquiries@bpl.org.uk.
Provider: Move with Equanimity
Area: Central
Venue: Barnsley Civic
Level: Other
Booking essential
Are you looking to build your strength and balance? If so, we have the ideal group in your area!
Booking and pre-assessment essential. First 6 sessions FREE! £3 per session thereafter. To book, please call Sarah on 07936 362578.
Start date: 2025-01-07
Provider: Sprint Swim Academy
Area: North
Venue: Sprint Swim Academy, Mapplewell Business Park
Booking essential
Are you over the age of 50? Sprint Swim Academy is offering Lane Swimming - free for the first 10 weeks, and £7.95 thereafter. Following the session, why not visit our friendly cafe and enjoy food and a FREE hot drink whilst socialising with others?
Limited spaces available. To book and secure your place, please call Sprint's reception desk on 01226 661521.
Start date: 2025-01-14 End date: 2025-03-04<
Provider: Mi:ssion Table Tennis Club Barnsley
Area: North East
Venue: Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre, Snydale Road, Cudworth, S72 8LH
Bat and Chat. An organised social session which targets individuals who are 50 and above and provides participants with the opportunity to enjoy table tennis in a friendly and relaxed environment.
All equipment, tea, coffee and biscuits provided free of charge. It doesn't matter if you've never played table tennis before. No need to book. Just turn up. For further information email: enquiries.missionttcbarnsley@gmail.com.
