The Challenge
There
was very little happening for older residents on a large Cheltenham
estate, until the Older and Bolder campaign started.
Developing
the idea
Members
of an established Social Art Group considered how they could broaden
their activities programme.
The
Community Project Workers made initial contact by inviting local
residents to a tea morning once a week. This soon led to a day-trip.
These are now regular events.
The
programme has expanded to include line dancing, gentle exercise
and regular social gatherings.
The
Neighbourhood Project philosophy is to cater for all age groups,
and older people are well represented on the management committee
so they can put forward ideas and suggestions - an idea that
would work in any community.
Making
it happen
With
an interest group firmly established the local health visitor,
Pat Howard capitalised on this to get the message across about
osteoporosis - so she ran a short course called Hips, Trips
and Safety in the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.
 |
| Members
of Older and Bolder enjoy a gentle exercise class |
From
that, a discussion arose about exercise and its provision for
older people. As a result, a weekly gentle exercise class was
started for which participants paid £1.
Members
of the group say that as a result of regular gentle exercise
they are more flexible, have less pain in the joints and find
it easier to breathe. A
series of talks covering safety in the home, footcare etc were
also arranged.
Other
links were made with the local primary school and a session
arranged with older people who shared their memories about toys
and games with the children.
The
local church has now picked up on the idea and has organised
'Trip Down Memory Lane' events. Most
of the ideas come from the group themselves and need very little
funding.
Key
tips
- Find
out what people are interested in
- Make
contact with interested parties - health visitor, chiropodist,
the local college
-
The venue has to be local - because the majority don't drive
- and accessible for older people. Try and make it central,
eg village hall, scout hall, church hall
- The
challenge is to attract older men - as they have proved more
difficult to encourage
Contact
- Whaddon, Lynworth & Priors Neighbourhood Project 01242 516960.
See also Gloucestershire
Neighbourhood Projects Network
Who
can help?
Key
organisations that could offer help and support in the development
of your ideas. Their details can be found in the Contacts
Directory. Further information on funding sources is
available from Gloucestershire County Council's Economic Development
Unit on 01452 425702.
Funding
sources
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Other useful contacts
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-
-
National
Lottery - New Opportunities Fund
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-
-
Single
Regeneration Budget
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- Colleges
- Crossroads
- Disability Action
- Gloucestershire Association for Mental Health
- Gloucestershire County Council
- Social Services
- Adult Continuing Education & Training
Service (ACET)
- Gloucestershire Media
- Health & Safety Executive
- Gloucestershire Federation of Women's Institutes
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