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Background: In Denmark, more than 700,000 people live with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs), which are among the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting individuals aged 65+. Since 2023, the Danish Rheumatism Association has successfully developed and initiated the project Healthy Seniors with RMDs targeting seniors (+65). In partnership with DGI – The Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations, which is one of the largest sports organizations in Denmark, we have recruited and trained volunteers in order for them to initiate local walking, cycling and SMART training (brain training) groups. In Denmark, 98 municipalities have structural and systematic access to citizens, yet only one-third of the Danish municipalities offer rehabilitation teams and programs targeting people with RMDs. We have therefore focused on enhancing collaboration with five municipalities in East Jutland (a part of Denmark) and testing models for cooperation and recruitment to improve the well-being of seniors with RMDs.
Objectives: To recruit and train volunteers to launch local activities and social communities in nature
To increase physical activity and community among seniors with RMDs through nature-based exercise – walking, cycling and SMART training
To increase and develop collaboration with five municipalities in East Jutland and test models for cooperation, recruitment and better bridge building from public sector to civil society
Methods: The Danish Rheumatism Association has a long history of collaborating with municipalities in Denmark, but doing so in a systematic and structural manner within a project is a new approach. Therefore, we have tested various initiatives and models of cooperation and recruitment throughout the project period. To attract seniors to local activities in nature and strengthen the collaboration, we offered a series of introductory events, Be Active for a Day – with RMDs , arranged in close partnership with local stakeholders and each municipality. These 4.5-hour events consisted of professional presentations, physical activity, and social networking through shared breakfast and lunch. Throughout the project, we have collected registration data on participants, teams, and volunteers. We have conducted quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with team participants and volunteers, while holding ongoing collaboration meetings with both volunteers and the five participating municipalities. Collaboratively, we have strengthened communication, recruitment strategies, identified new needs and developed new nature-based programs. This consists of 6-week programs focused on exploring local nature and cultural history and literature, respectively, with the aim of inspiring physical activity and community engagement in the local outdoor environment.
Results: Throughout the project Healthy Seniors with RMDs , we have:
Recruited and trained 70 volunteers to launch movement and social communities for seniors (+65) in nature
Activated and engaged 1400 seniors in various physical activities and local communities such as walking, cycling and SMART training groups and two new nature-based programs focused on exploring local nature, cultural history and literature
Increased and developed collaboration with—and recruitment of seniors in—five municipalities in East Jutland. This was achieved through 30 collaboration meetings, a learning workshop, the development and execution of 15 events (Be Active for a Day – with RMD), and the creation of new bridge-building initiatives in collaboration with DGI and a new partnership with the Danish Hunters’ Association.
Our evaluations show that the number of participants and satisfaction with activities and volunteers increased, reaching its peak in 2025. We experienced that activities in the outdoors attract participants and volunteers we have not seen before in our association. Local nature-based activities represent a new type of ‘bridge-building’ initiative that is highly valuable, as it strengthens the transition from municipal services to civil society. Seniors with RMDs gained access to high-quality local activities, enabling municipalities to justify the allocation of resources to this partnership. Formal commitment to collaborate prior to the project was essential. Findings show that closer collaboration with municipalities leads to higher recruitment and stronger motivation among seniors to join local active communities. Collectively, we have strengthened the communication and recruitment for municipal and local services for individuals with RMDs and advanced the health promotion agenda.
Conclusions: In the project Healthy Seniors with RMDs , we have succeeded in supporting physical activity, daily movement and fostered close social relations among seniors with RMDs led by 70 volunteers. Nature, as a health-promoting arena that is accessible and open 24/7, offers something unique and has a great potential to strengthen many seniors’ health and well-being. During the project, we have increased and developed collaboration with five municipalities in East Jutland in Denmark, DGI, The Danish Hunters’ Association and 113 local stakeholders. This resulted in 1400 seniors being active in local natural settings, experiencing the positive difference that movement and community in nature can make in a life with RMDs. Nature-based local activities represent a new type of ‘bridge-building’ initiative that can be launched to great advantage in collaboration with the municipality. This approach strengthens the transition from municipal services to civil society and provides seniors with RMDs access to new, high-quality local activities that support a healthy and active senior life.
REFERENCES: [1] Prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of RMDs: municipal mapping. 2025.
[2] Simonsen C, Raundahl MR. Healthy Seniors with RMDs – Evaluation and Learning Report, 2025
Acknowledgments: NIL.
Disclosure of Interests: None declared.