OU launches free toolkit to support health and wellbeing in midlife and beyond

A new, free toolkit, developed by Open University (OU) researchers, in partnership with the Campaign for Learning, is launching during Learning at Work Week. The toolkit offers practical, evidence-based activities to help people in midlife take steps towards better health

The toolkit, Small changes, big impact: rethinking wellbeing, A toolkit to support ageing well in midlife and beyond, is aimed at people in their 40s, 50s and beyond. Funded by the Hallmark Foundation, it translates research into accessible, bite-sized activities that can be used individually or alongside colleagues in the workplace.

OU academics Dr Jitka Vseteckova and Dr Sinead Eccles are leading this work, which is rooted in the successful national public health campaign Take Five to Age Well.

Why midlife matters for long-term health

For many, midlife and beyond is associated with reduced physical activity, loss of routine, and a shift in personal identity. These factors are linked to increased risk of depression, reduced cognitive functioning, and lower life satisfaction, which is felt by individuals, their families, and wider society. Addressing these risks requires action, helping people to build sustainable healthy habits while still in work.

What the toolkit aims to achieve

Small changes, big impact: rethinking wellbeing is designed to deliver real-world impact for individuals and their workplaces, including:

• Improved knowledge and understanding of ageing and how to age well
• Improved self-perceived health and wellbeing
• Better self-care and self-management
• Greater confidence to make small changes that lead to improved long-term health
• Shifts in attitudes and behaviours towards healthy ageing
• Stronger workplace cultures, where colleagues can develop healthy habits together as a community

The evidence behind the toolkit

The toolkit is built on the Five Pillars for Ageing Well framework, developed at The Open University. The Five Pillars identify five areas that research shows are central to healthy ageing, including nutrition, hydration, physical activity, social connection, and cognitive stimulation.

Since 2019, programmes based on the Five Pillars have reached more than 200,000 people globally, and the framework underpins both the Ageing Well Public Talk Series and the award-winning Take Five to Age Well national public health campaign.

How the toolkit was developed

The toolkit was co-designed and co-produced with contributions from OU researchers Dr Nicole Andelic, Dr Katie Davis, Dr Sharon Davis and Dr Rachele de-Felice, alongside the Campaign for Learning and a range of employers from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Other organisations involved in its development and who are interested in using the toolkit in their workplaces  include Standard Life Centre for the Future of Retirement, Age Scotland, the Drive and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Four Cymru, Independent Age, Money and Pensions Service, Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), Trade Union Congress (TUC), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACAP), Gateshead Council, Marie Curie, Milton Keynes College Group, Fleet Mortgages, the Hallmark Foundation, and the Goyal Foundation.

Activities in the toolkit can be completed individually or as a group, enabling workplaces to build shared healthy habits and strengthen the social fabric among colleagues.

Speaking about the development of the toolkit, Juliette Collier, National Director, Campaign for Learning, said:

“It has been a privilege to work with The Open University on the development of Small changes, big impact: rethinking wellbeing. The project completely changed my own thinking about ageing well — not as something that requires dramatic lifestyle overhauls, but as a series of small, sustainable habits that can make a meaningful difference over time. Midlife is a critical opportunity to support long-term health and wellbeing, and employers have an important role to play in creating environments where people feel supported to make positive changes. By making wellbeing learning practical, flexible, and engaging, this toolkit helps show that small actions really can have a big impact on how well we live and work as we age.”

Dr Jitka Vseteckova, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at The Open University and lead researcher behind the toolkit, added:

“The longitudinal research, knowledge exchange, and public engagement with all relevant stakeholders around the Five Pillars for Ageing Well, the Ageing Well Public Talk Series, and the award-winning Take Five to Age Well enabled us to understand how to effectively combine the Five Pillars with ‘bite-sized’ pieces of information, translating robust evidence-based science into public-facing communications. We found that this approach helps people learn, as it increases health literacy; builds confidence to self-manage and self-care better while enabling people to change their attitudes and behaviours. We are very proud to present this unique resource, funded by the Hallmark Foundation, that combines the importance of keeping well with creating healthy beyond midlife communities at the workplace.”

Stephen Burke, CEO of Hallmark Foundation, said:

“Hallmark Foundation wants to create a Britain where everyone can age well, every step of the way. As we live longer, we also need to ensure that we live healthier lives too. Acting early and supporting people in midlife and beyond is critical to instilling healthy habits that last a lifetime. This toolkit is an essential part of improving healthy lifespans in Britain.”

Dr Sinéad Eccles, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Counselling at The Open University, added:

“I’m delighted to be part of this project alongside colleagues across the team. From a neuropsychology perspective, I have a particular interest in brain health, and this toolkit provides a really accessible and evidence informed way to support it. What I especially value is that it focuses on small, realistic changes, helping people take ownership of their wellbeing without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a practical and empowering resource that can support individuals to build habits that benefit both their immediate wellbeing and long-term brain health.”

Access the toolkit

Small changes, big impact: rethinking wellbeing — A toolkit to support ageing well in midlife and beyond is available via the Learning at Work Week website.