Agenda item

Dan Lewin, Linkage

Bristol Ageing Better (BAB) Update

• A project update was given by Dan Lewin of Linkage. This provided an overview on the work in the community as part of tender won from BAB (Bristol Ageing Better)  to work with older people in Greater Bedminster  and demonstrated how this  relates to the strategic objectives of GBCP to become first age friendly Neighbourhood  in Bristol and to reduce isolation and loneliness.
• Just completed first year of project and overview was given for information including work to involve older people in decision making, representing the diversity of the community, initiatives to bring different ages together, joint activities with other partners and training older people for leadership roles.

• Various outputs on the back of small amount of funding bolstering existing work and increasing capacity – hired admin to free up time for comm development. A three year project now entering its second year 2 – lots of work still to be done consolidating various projects including linking in with other BAB strands.

Achievements and key events have included:

• Developing stakeholder network in the community with great success so far, including Cllrs, GPs, BCC, Older People’s Forums, Police. Focussing on how to reach isolated groups and building contacts and databases.

• Developed “what’s on guide” to help older people find out what’s going on locally the largest ever.
• Annual wellbeing day proved to be a successful engagement event last year (June 23^rd)  with good attendance and range of local organisations which also helped inform new activities and classes for older people. 
• Work to reduce barriers to participation for older people – for example disability – working to deliver audio guide with action for blind people.
• Bristol LGBT – work ongoing to reduce barriers for this demographic and how to make offer more attractive for LGBT older people.
• Dementia navigators and supporting new Alzheimer’s café
• Macmiilan engagement for cancer patients/survivors providing information and opportunities to get involved.
• Greater Bedminster Older People’s Forum – Offered help with marketing and other comms work.

The future:

• Communications strategy with partners and strengthening network and advisory group as well as increasing engagement and rolling out more activities.
• Volunteer transport pilot to ascertain viability and need as well as continuing work on reducing barriers.

The following remarks were received:

1.      One member raised the issue of an elderly neighbour of 94 had to pay large sums of money for a taxi to the hospital – is there any help for transport costs or assistance? The volunteer transport scheme could help tackle these problems – with database of lifts for older people to access. Linking in with people in neighbourhood. Being looked at through BAB and UWE for ideas could be coming online in the future.

2.      It was noted lots more going on beside what there was time for in the update. Despite this there are still older people who are isolated and the cohort is becoming larger, there was a need to be aware that the money will come to an end and that the work is on-going but good so far.

3.      It was asked if there were posters available for community notice boards to advertise activities and services. No generic linkage poster but one could be developed. Also room to post the leaflets available from Linkage offices.

4.      It was suggested that GP notice boards could be used to publicise. 

5.      Issues with transport schemes were raised especially around accessing data and promoting to disconnected citizens. Dan agreed it will need to be tailored and these schemes are notoriously difficult to run. Sustainability issues to be looked at.

Hospitals elsewhere run volunteer schemes which could give examples – Linkage to research and find viable options ideally with no funding and self-sustaining.

Community Navigators Update

·         Cllr Celia Phipps now employed as a Navigator, this is aimed at reducing the number of people going to GPs with non-medical complaints .Finding out people’s needs to find out where they need to go and help them to help themselves.  BAB and CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS) are hoping to connect the community more broadly than GP services.  Paid for one year with every hope it will continue.

·         How to find isolated individuals was raised as a key issue. Developing networks and communicating to find isolated people by tapping into local knowledge of GPs and neighbours will be a core part of the plan.

·         Action: It was suggested that a dedicated meeting for older people could be viable as there so much to cover.

·         The CP priorities were being addressed with all this work and it was welcomed for the GBCP area.

·         Action: It was suggested that Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators/Leaders know their area well and these residents could be used as champions to contact isolated residents.