Articles LifestyleSilversurfers Ten Year Anniversary Survey Results
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Silversurfers Ten Year Anniversary Survey Results

By Sally - Silversurfer's Editor Feb 21, 2024

In January 2024 we asked our members to complete a survey that asked about how things have changed for them over the past ten years since Silversurfers was launched.

Over 3,000 completed the questionnaire so thank you for your input. There are some fascinating responses and we very much enjoyed reading through them.

Here is a summary of the key findings: 

  • People love the wide range of information, sense of community and engagement, competitions and prizes, plus the humour and nostalgia covered on Silversurfers.
  • Our members have taken up many new hobbies in the past ten years. Some common themes include physical activities like walking, swimming, cycling, and yoga while others have explored creative pursuits such as painting, drawing, crafting and knitting. Social activities like singing in choir, joining community groups and volunteering have also been popular.
  • Encouragingly 45% of members don’t feel ten years older than they did in 2014.
  • 45% of people feel at least as fit and healthy as they did ten years ago.
  • 70% of people feel happier than they did ten years ago.
  • Walking, swimming, pilates and yoga are the most popular forms of exercise taken by our members.
  • Worryingly 88% of people think that the service provided by the NHS has declined in the past ten years. With waiting times for GP and hospital appointments being the biggest concern although many were keen to praise the service received.
  • How we book holidays has changed dramatically over the past ten years with the majority now booking holidays online and 60% taking more than three holidays a year.
  • Online sources, social media and news websites have overtaken paper newspapers as the most popular way of consuming the news with the Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Telegraph and local newspapers being the most popular.
  • Over half (52%) of respondents believe the quality of TV programmes has worsened over the last ten years with the lack of quality comedy programmes, repeats and the dominance of reality shows over quality drama being the biggest concerns.
  • 66% believe that technology has improved their lives over the past ten years with the over 50s becoming more adept and comfortable with using technology including laptops, tablets and smartphones for internet access, social media and staying up-to-date in interest areas.
  • 79% feel more supportive or the same level of support for the royal family than they did then years ago. Although the popularity levels of the royals differ with admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Kate and some disdain for King Charles, Camilla, Andrew and Harry.
  • Opinions are divided on financial security with 36% feeling more secure and 27% less secure than ten years ago.
  • As far as UK politics is concerned 51% don’t trust any politicians and David Cameron is rated our best recent prime minister with Liz Truss the worst! If there was a general election today 29% would vote Conservative, 19% Labour and 9% Liberal Democrat.
  • The bank of Mum, Dad and Grandparents is strong with a quarter of respondents helping or planning to help children and grandchildren buy their first home.
  • Opinions remain divided on Brexit with more that voted for Leave changing their minds (10%) and an equal number expecting positive and negative long-term effects. Although when asked about the personal impact of Brexit to date 27% said it had had a negative personal impact and only 5% a positive impact.
  • Online shopping has grown significantly over the past ten years with 66% doing some or most of their shopping online
  • Online banking is also increasingly popular with the majority 61% banking online for the last ten years.
  • Our members don’t think that advertisers are catering for the over 50s with 67% saying that this has not improved in the past ten years.

We hope you find the results interesting and thank you again for taking the time to complete the surveys. Your ideas and input are always very welcome and will help us to continue to improve Silversurfers over the next ten years!

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Sally - Silversurfer's Editor

Mother of three grown-up daughters and a proud grandma too, I am the ultimate multi-tasker and am passionate about my role as Silversurfers Website Editor and Social Media Manager. Always on the lookout for all things that will interest and entertain our community. Fueling fun for the young at heart!

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