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
Area: South
Venue: Darfield Community Centre, Illsley Road Darfield S73 9JX
Booking essential
Modern Jive at Darfield is a fun, social, and easy-to-learn dance that anyone can enjoy—no partner needed! Whether you love fast or slow music, Modern Jive fits a variety of styles and is perfect for all skill levels, including complete beginners. Join us every Thursday at Darfield Community Centre from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM for a relaxed and friendly dance session. At just £1.50, it’s a great way to stay active, meet new people, and even get wedding-dance ready! Come along and give it a go—you’ll love it! 💃🕺🎶
More details about u3a activities can be found on bu3a.u3asite.uk website. Membership is required, costing £15.00 per year. For more information: coordinators running the groups can be emailed from u3a website bu3a.u3asite.uk/groups/
Area: North
Venue: Honeywell Community Centre, Honeywell Street, Barnsley, S71 1PZ
Level: Light intensity
Booking essential
Zumba Gold 50+ (Low Intensity – FREE Class). Specially designed to be low intensity, enjoyable, and suitable for everyone, regardless of fitness level or experience.
FREE class! Call us to book your place 01226 776820.
Provider: Focus4Vision
Area: Central
Venue: YMCA, 1 Blucher Street, Barnsley, S70 1AP
It's a fantastic, tactical target sport! Players are split into a Red Team and a Blue Team, and the main aim is to throw your balls closest to the white target ball (the 'Jack').All participants take their throws from a seated position.We have adaptive equipment available for anyone who needs it, ensuring everyone can join in the fun.
FREE. All ages are welcome. Whether you have a disability or not, this session is fully inclusive. For more info email focus4vision2024@gmail.com
Provider: Lesley Featherstone
Area: North
Venue: St Helen's Church Hall, Athersley
Level: Other
Booking essential
Do you wish to have fun whilst staying active? Are you over the age of 50, and looking to build your strength and balance? If so, we have the ideal group in your area!
First 6 sessions FREE! £5 per session thereafter. To book, please call Lesley on 07713 510910.
Provider: Healthy Bones
Area: South
Venue: Saville Court, Hoyland
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. £5 per session thereafter. To book, call Bronia at Healthy Bones on 07895 380615.
Provider: Barnsley Premier Leisure
Area: North East
Venue: Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre
Level: Moderate intensity
Booking essential
A way to play football for everyone. If you’re male or female with any footballing ability, feel free to come down and give walking football a try. All the love of the game, at a pace that’s suitable for everyone. £3 per session (though free throughout May 2023 as part of the Walking Festival) with an area afterwards to sit, have a drink and socialise.
Currently paused for winter. These sessions are open to anyone aged 30+. £3 per session (though free throughout May 2023 as part of the Walking Festival). Communal area for teas and coffees afterwards. Please follow the link to book on http://faevents.thefa.com/bookevent?eventID=7470 or for more information feel free to email connor.pickles@bpl.org.uk or phone 07944079052.
Provider: Shaw Lane Sports Club
Area: Central
Venue: Shaw Lane Sports Club
Level: Light intensity
Booking essential
Social/Activity Drop in for Older People. Board games, Bingo, Boccia, chat and tea/coffee. Good company, fun and laughter.
For further information, contact Fiona Hall, Shaw Lane Foundation on 07341 265319.
Provider: u3a
Area: Penistone
Venue: Penistone Scouts Activity Centre, Wentworth Rd, Penistone, Sheffield S36 6ET
Booking essential
Kurling is a gentle sport based on the sport seen mainly at Olympic Games on Ice. the “Stones” in New Age Kurling are made of heavy duty plastic, with castors on the bottom.
On Thursday afternoons 1:30pm - 3:30pm, 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, starting from May. More details about u3a activities can be found on bu3a.u3asite.uk website. Membership is required, costing £15.00 per year. For more information: coordinators running the groups can be emailed from u3a website bu3a.u3asite.uk/groups/
Provider: Shirley Sherwood Tai Chi
Area: South
Venue: Hoyland Leisure Centre, West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley S74 9EH
Level: Light intensity
Booking essential
A specialised Tai Chi session that focuses on Tai Chi for Health. If you need any further information or a chat then please contact Shirley Sherwood Certified Tai Chi and Qigong Instructor. Tai Chi is extremely good for improving balance, posture and can be done standing or seated. It is also a great way to get out of the house and make new friends. Ideal for all abilities
£5.00 per session after the 6 free sessions. You can contact Shirley Sherwood either by e-mail shirley.a.sherwood@btinternet.com or 07956660224
Provider: Better Health Walks
Area: Dearne
Venue: Meeting point: Goldthorpe Library, Barnsley Road, Goldthorpe, Rotherham, S63 9NE
For more information about the walks get in touch: jackcadman@barnsley.gov.uk
Provider: Lesley Featherstone
Area: North
Venue: St Helen's Church Hall, Athersley
Level: Other
Booking essential
Are you looking to build your strength and balance? If so, we have the ideal group in your area!
First 6 sessions FREE! £5 per session thereafter. To book, please call Lesley on 07713 510910.
Provider: Yoga Bee
Area: South
Venue: Yoga Bee, Hawkwood Cottage, Hay Green Lane, Birdwell, Barnsley, S70 5XE
Booking essential
Core Pilates. Ideal for the energetic.
For further information and bookings please visit: www.yogabee.yoga.
Provider: Yoga Bee
Area: South
Venue: Yoga Bee, Hawkwood Cottage, Hay Green Lane, Birdwell, Barnsley, S70 5XE
Booking essential
Yin Yoga and Relaxation. Mixed ability.
For further information and bookings please visit: www.yogabee.yoga.
Provider: Zheng Wu
Area: Penistone
Venue: Penistone Leisure Centre
Level: Other
Booking essential
Fortnightly. Tai Chi can help to improve your balance, flexibility and posture. Tai Chi is known as an ‘internal martial art’. It is a holistic exercise to benefit the mind, body and spirit. Zheng Wu teaches two styles; yang style (suitable for beginners) and chen style (a more advanced style). He also teaches meditative breathing exercises called qi gong.
Beginners/intermediate (classes are suitable for all levels). Further Information and booking (required): 07870 261836.
Provider: Barnsley Premier Leisure
Area: South
Venue: Hoyland Leisure Centre
Level: Moderate intensity
Booking essential
Fitness Pilates. 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. Call 01226 744063 or email hoylandenquiries@bpl.org.uk.
