Above: Love Heart founders Frances Valintine and Fee Webby.
New Zealand education leaders and entrepreneurs Frances Valintine and Fee Webby have co-founded Love Heart, a learning community for older New Zealanders.
The social enterprise focuses on delivering insightful discussions, expert speakers and opportunities for connection to those with active minds and a sense of curiosity.
From six-week courses across a range of topics to ‘learning lunches’ and ‘learning adventures’, Love Heart aims to enrich minds and lives, particularly for those aged 60 and over.
For learning and community
Co-founder Valintine says the over-60s have been an underserved demographic for too long.
“I truly believe that as the world becomes more complex and less predictable, learning and community are the two things that support confidence and strength at all ages. Yet, there’s an assumption that over-60s are slowing down when actually, many are looking towards their best years.
“New Zealand’s older population is increasingly interested in intellectual discussion, new experiences and would love an opportunity to foster new friendships at the same time.”
Love Heart offers three streams of activity that promise to keep minds engaged while connecting people with others.
Six-week learning courses cover topics ranging from the impact of technology to the culinary arts. ‘Learning lunches’ are short educational experiences, accompanied by food.
Meanwhile, ‘learning adventures’ offer hands-on encounters across New Zealand, combining a sense of discovery with interesting locations or unexpected venues.
The variety of topics and duration have been curated to appeal to active retirees and semi-retired professionals who have a little more time in their careers to pick up new interests.
Maintain wellness as we grow older
Co-founder Webby says her background in education and technology has taught her that while online learning has become a mainstay in education, it can’t replicate the experience of face-to-face connection.
“Learners love a hands-on environment, collaboration with one another and having robust discussions together – which is very different from having someone speaking at you via a video link.”
Webby also notes that an active mind and real-time social connection are two of the most protective factors against the effects of ageing, including cognitive decline and poor mental health.
“There has been a 34% increase in the number of people aged over 60 in the past decade, and within a few short years, New Zealand will have more people over 65 than under 20. Keeping the brain engaged and finding joy in human connection are critical in maintaining wellness as we grow older.”
Rich insights from experts
Love Heart offers 15 topics for learning and exploration. They include technological impact, history, creative arts, sports and the human mind.
Experts in each area share their lived experience, insights and knowledge on their topics, and many of the planned sessions include hands-on elements.
“We’re enormously proud of the subject matter experts and academics we’ve attracted to our programme,” says Webby, adding that expressions of interest are still welcomed by Love Heart for future opportunities to speak and share.
Operating as a social enterprise, Valintine says Love Heart will reinvest profits back into supporting access to those over 60 who don’t have the financial means to participate.
She adds that launching a new high-impact education initiative is a huge thrill for her and Webby, and she can’t wait to hear initial feedback from phase one learners.
“We hope people will come out of a Love Heart course, lunch or learning adventure and tell their family ‘Not only did I learn something fascinating, I also made a new friend.’”
