Ageing Better in Birmingham launches to combat isolation.
The Ageing Better in Birmingham programme, a Big Lottery Fund investment project designed to support isolated people over 50 across the city, will officially launch on 29th June 2016.
Ageing Better in Birmingham will be delivered by a partnership of voluntary sector organisations. The Ageing Better Partnership, led by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council, was allocated £6 million to deliver the six year programme.
Ageing Better aims to put isolated people at the heart of the design and delivery of the programme. Every aspect of the programme has been developed alongside a group of ‘experts by experience.’ These are people with experience of isolation, whose focus is to ensure that the programme delivers what isolated people need, when and where they need it.
A short film about the effects of isolation in the city will be premiered at the event, which is to be hosted by Barbra Nice at The Studio on Cannon Street. It will also feature the launch of the Ageing Better Fund by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and talks by key speakers Stephen Raybould (Programme Manager), John Eastwood (Head of Funding for Big Lottery) and Tracey O’Brien (Programme Director). Afternoon tea will be served.
Louise Bunn, Ageing Better in Birmingham Partnership Coordinator, commented: “Through Ageing Better in Birmingham we aim to dramatically alter the way communities respond to isolation in the over 50’s. Putting communities and isolated people at the heart of our delivery, we want to empower the people of Birmingham to make a difference to the lives of those over 50.”
Several charities across the city are involved in the programme that will fund community-led projects that enable older people who are at risk of isolation or loneliness to live more fulfilling lives.
Five community hubs have been enlisted to target groups and individuals that are at the highest risk of isolation, and provide support and funding for activities, clubs and events to be set up and managed to prevent and reduce isolation and loneliness. Forward Carers will support carers and ex-carers in Birmingham, Birmingham LGBT will oversee projects within the LGBT community, Narthex Sparkhill will oversee the project in and around Sparkbrook, Compass Support will oversee activity in and around Tyburn, as well as a city-wide hub, which will be managed by Age UK.
Bring your community together and help those over 50 to overcome isolation. To arrange a local activity with our support and funding visit www.ageingbetterinbirmingham.co.uk.