AGEING BETTER IN CAMDEN
Ageing Better in Camden: Tackling isolation and loneliness among older people in Camden
What is it?
It is a programme funded by the Lottery, managed by a partnership of older people and Camden organisations and delivered by older people and many different groups and organisations . It is starting in the Summer 2015 and running until 2021. It has a budget of £4.5 million.
What is the idea behind it?
The ‘big idea ’ is that to become less lonely we need to connect with other people regularly, be a part of something, and contribute to that ‘something’ whether it’s a family or a club or activity. Participating and helping makes us feel needed, it gives us a purpose to join in and keeps us motivated.
It is a ‘learning programme’ which means that everything it does is going to be tested and monitored as we go along , and changed if necessary and these lessons will be shared.
What is it going to do?
It is going to involve older people in everything it does, from Partnership Board, to event planners, evaluators to tea makers.
It is going to fund some new projects:
•Digital Inclusion (computer and IT skills)
•Men in Action (men’s groups)
•Intergenerational work (children, younger adults and older people)
It is going to fund some new ways of identifying lonely and isolated older people:
•Community Connectors – staff and volunteers who find people and support them (by going with them or buddying them with someone) to join a ‘something’
•Community Pharmacy Healthy Living Champions – Pharmacy delivery drivers and staff who identify people who are lonely or at risk of being lonely and link them to a Community Connector
•Internet Access Portal – a better form of ‘Google’ tailored to older people who are looking for local activities
It is going to fund a whole new way of getting older people involved and engaged.
By looking at statistics the Partnership has identified 4 areas in Camden where older people are particularly lonely or at risk of loneliness: Kilburn, St Pancras and Somerstown; Gospel Oak and Haverstock; Regents Park and West Euston. It also identified 2 communities that are particularly at risk: the Bangladeshi Community and the Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In these areas and communities older people will be supported to form groups and networks to improve each others’ lives, in any way they choose: for example, a bench in a street or a singing group. The power is with the older people.
What now?
The programme is due to start Summer 2015. But several of the projects and services still need to find a host organisation and we still need to write the detail of exactly how the projects will operate. AND WE NEED OLDER PEOPLE TO HELP SO WE CAN GET IT RIGHT.
Role / What it is and what it entailsPartnership Board / This is the governing body of the Partnership. You need to be willing to read and comment on documents and attend monthly meetings,
Appraisal Panel Member / This is the group that looks at the bids for the projects. Training and support will be provided. You won’t sit on every panel but will be busy Jan – June 2015
Service Specification adviser / You will comment on the specifications for the projects. You could do this from home or in a meeting. Support will be provided.
Ambassador / You will be willing to talk about the programme to groups you belong to and encourage people to get involved.
Roadshow Ambassador / You will be willing to go out and talk to groups about the programme
If you think you might be interested in getting involved, learning more or helping with any of these roles please get in touch.
Also ….From Summer 2015 there are going to be lots more opportunities for older involvement: community connecting, helping with computer classes, intergenerational work and lots more. Again if you might be interest do contact us and we will keep in touch.
Ageing Better in Camden
Age UK Camden, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9NA 020 7239 0400
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