Are Dorset’s Healthiest Years Still to Come?
Asks Dave Mott, Chartered Physiotherapist and Healthspan Educator
When Dave Mott and his wife Alice decided to leave Poole and move to beautiful West Lulworth, it wasn’t simply because of the stunning coastline, countryside or wonderful sense of community.
They moved because they believe Purbeck is one of the most special places in the country – and because they think it has the potential to become one of the healthiest places in Britain to grow older.
Just over a decade ago, Purbeck regularly ranked amongst the very best areas in England for life expectancy. That’s something worth celebrating, but perhaps even more importantly, something worth striving for again.
Living Better for Longer
Dave’s passion isn’t simply helping people to live longer. It’s helping people to live better for longer.
Scientists now call this Healthspan – the number of years people remain active, independent and able to enjoy life, rather than simply the number of years they are alive.
The Science of Healthy Ageing
For over 30 years, Dave has worked as a Chartered Physiotherapist, helping thousands of people overcome pain, arthritis, sports injuries and mobility problems. During that time, he has become increasingly fascinated by the science of healthy ageing.
Research tells us that many of the biggest factors affecting how well we age are, surprisingly, modifiable. Strength, nutrition, sleep, movement, stress management, social connection and maintaining healthy muscles and bones can all influence both the quality of our lives and potentially how long we live.
Small Changes, Big Difference
The exciting news is that it’s never too late to start.
Whether someone is 45 or 85, small changes made consistently can have an enormous impact on their future health, independence and quality of life.
This autumn and winter, Dave will be hosting a series of practical, evidence-based seminars at The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage. These are not medical lectures. They’re friendly, informative evenings designed to give local people simple strategies they can put into practice straight away.
The series will explore arthritis, including what really works and what doesn’t; strength training after 50 and why maintaining muscle is so important as we age; menopause, nutrition and long-term wellbeing; the evidence behind saunas and cold-water exposure; and finally, how all of these ideas can be brought together into a practical blueprint for a longer, healthier and more active life.
For those wanting more personalised guidance, Dave and Alice are also offering The Mott Method – a bespoke one-to-one home-coaching programme helping local residents build achievable routines around movement, strength, nutrition and long-term wellbeing.
Their vision is simple: to help more people in Purbeck stay independent, continue doing the things they love and enjoy many more healthy years with family and friends.
If they can inspire more local people to make small, positive changes, perhaps Purbeck can once again become recognised not only as one of Britain’s most beautiful places to live, but also as one of its healthiest.
Upcoming Talks
Arthritis – Move Better. Hurt Less.
7 October 2026 · 7pm–8.30pm
Understand what really causes arthritis and explore the latest evidence on exercise, treatments and self-management.
Strong After 50 – Why Muscle Is the Secret to Healthy Ageing
4 November 2026 · 7pm–8.30pm
Learn why strength is one of the biggest predictors of independence and how anyone can become stronger.
Menopause – Taking Control of Midlife Health
6 January 2027 · 7pm–8.30pm
A practical evening with a guest Nutrition PhD specialist, exploring hormones, nutrition, exercise and long-term wellbeing.
Heat & Cold – The Science of Saunas & Cold Water
10 February 2027 · 7pm–8.30pm
Separate fact from fiction and discover the evidence behind heat and cold exposure.
Healthspan – The Blueprint for Living Better for Longer
3 March 2027 · 7pm–8.30pm
Bring everything from the series together into a practical plan for adding more life to your years.
Helping Dorset live better. For longer.
Arthritis • Strong After 50 • Menopause • Heat & Cold • Healthspan
Dave hopes to welcome local residents to one – or all – of the talks this autumn and winter.
£15 per seminar or £50 for the complete series
Venue: The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage
Email: dave@physiofitnessdorset.co.uk
Tel: 07973 939545
