Ambition for Ageing have invested £50,000 into small projects across Greater Manchester to prevent social isolation of older people.

We have shown through our research on microfunding that a small pot of money can generate significant change within a neighbourhood, which is why this work in increasing the social contact of local people aged 50+ is important.

Between September 2020 and February 2021 we have invested £5,000 into each of the ten local areas of Greater Manchester; Bury, Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

We asked providers to consider the impact of Covid-19 both on their local communities, and the types of projects that it would be possible to deliver by using our guidance on developing social contact models in a time of social distancing.

The projects are delivered on a ward-based level, with each individual project worth up to £2,000. These areas were identified by Local Authorities as part of the GM Ageing Hub's ‘Ageing in Place’ programme which had been developed prior to the pandemic. We are able to support this work thanks to an extension of our funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which has enabled us to continue existing projects.

Please see below for the full list of investments.

Bolton - Farnworth & Kearsley

• Led by Age UK Bolton: Support for befriending projects and access to IT.

Bury - Bury East

• Led by Age UK Bury: Online activities and support.
• Led by BAME Project: IT support for older BAME men and women.
• Led by Attic Project: IT support for older people with physical and mental health issues.

Manchester - Gorton

• Led by Gorton Visual Arts: Art packages and support provided to older people including those referred by NHS Focused Care and Macmillan User Involvement.
• Led by Clowes Street Tenants and Residents Association: A local Christmas street activity to engage a diverse range of people from the area – many of whom don’t celebrate Christmas as part of their faith.
• Led by Ryder Brow Community Allotments: A sensory gardening project for older people.
• Led by Gorton Community Centre: Exercise equipment and PPE for an older people`s group.

Oldham - St James'

• Led by Friends of Stoneleigh Park: An online ‘Brew & Natter’ group for marginalised older people, mostly women, in the area, with IT support and training provided.
• Led by Sholver and Moorside Community Team: Developing the outside space of a local Community Centre to increase its accessibility to a diverse range of people aged 50 and over and the wider community, enabling outdoor and social activities to take place.

Rochdale - Kirkholt

• Led by HMR Circle: A number of projects focused on digital, walking and social eating, with the aim of targeting marginalised older men and women who have mental and physical health needs.

Salford - Swinton

• Led by Age UK Salford: A number of projects for older men and women who live in Swinton: Green & Growing, Tech & Tea, Walk & Talk and Social Lunches, as well as working with older people to develop and test Age-friendly Covid-safe building standards at the Critchley Centre.

Stockport - Reddish

• Led by Reddish Vale Men in Sheds Bicycle Repair Group: A workforce development and IT project for men aged 60+ with physical and mental health needs.
• Led by Re:Dish: Garden equipment to make a dementia café Covid-safe and to create a community garden to benefit older people with dementia and their carers.
• Led by Anchor Hanover Housing Association: A digital skills training course for people who live at the retirement housing schemes, Russell Fox Court and The Denes in Reddish.

Tameside – Stalybridge

• Led by The Shed: Making and installing benches in the local area to support walking and walking groups and providing opportunities for members of the community to make connections with each other whilst resting on the benches.
• Led by Ridge Hill Big Local: A photography and metal detecting creative arts walking project for older people from the Ridge Hill area, with the aim of targeting marginalised older men and women who have mental and physical health needs.
• Led by Tameside Council: To design and produce a map for the local area, outlining walking routes, location of benches and listing details of organised walks led by community groups  to support and encourage people aged 50 and over from the area to be more physically active and socially connected.

Trafford - Clifford

• Led by Age UK Trafford: A number of online social activities.
• Led by Bluesci: Access to IT and social activities for older people.
• Led by Voice BMET: Wellbeing and befriending sessions for older people on lower incomes.

Wigan - Wigan North

• Led by Shevington Community Association: To provide digital connectivity across the ward for older people on lower incomes.