Ambition for Ageing eBulletin July 2020
Welcome to the latest issue of our e-bulletin which contains all the latest updates from Ambition for Ageing and our partners, and other ageing related news and events.
Please feel free to forward this bulletin onto your colleagues, contacts and networks who can subscribe to receive their own copy by clicking here.
We hope you are keeping well during this time. Our thoughts are with everyone experiencing any difficulties.
We’re happy to let you know that Thea Monk, Senior Project Officer, will be returning from maternity leave on Monday 20th July. You can contact her on thea.monk@gmcvo.org.uk
Ambition for Ageing (AfA)
New Publication: A spatial approach to working with marginalised communities
Last week we launched two new documents outlining an approach to engaging marginalised older people using a spatial model developed during our five years of age-friendly research. The new model considers the size and geographical distribution of different communities as a way of engaging them in group activities.
Our short briefing outlines and provides context to the model
The practical workbook provides a step-by-step guide on using this model at a neighbourhood level
New summary report from Manchester Culture Champions
As part of our Culture Champions programme, Manchester Culture Champions - led by the Royal Exchange Theatre - have published their summary report looking at their activities and legacy.
Culture and cultural institutions are vital to community life. Read the report and find out how you can support the Royal Exchange Theatre by following the link below.
Impact Report: TEK Eagles
Alchemy Arts worked with older members of the Pakistani community across Manchester, Bury and Oldham as part of our Subculture programme to upskill and co-produce media in a number of ways, specifically looking at the use of social media and smart phones. Their new impact report looks at their achievements.
Blog: The voluntary and community sector and COVID-19: Going to war without ammunition?
Covid-19 has forced us all to rethink how to maintain social connections in the neighbourhoods where we live and work. In this blog, AfA staff Sophie Yarker and Kirsty Bagnall, along with colleagues from the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group discuss the challenges the VCSE sector is facing and suggest an alternative approach to providing support.
Co-production week 2020
Last week (6th – 10th July) was co-production week – a chance to celebrate the benefits of co-production, share good practice and promote the contribution of people who use services in developing better public services.
Over the course of the AfA programme, we co-designed and co-delivered over 1,300 local projects across Greater Manchester. Read our report on microfunding, co-production and community development at the link below.
Equalities Board supported by LGBT Foundation
Equalities and Ageing Digest #2: Equalities, Ageing and Housing
The second Equalities and Ageing briefing from the Ambition for Ageing Equalities Board looks at equalities issues in relation to housing for older people. Housing must be of good quality, must be part of and contribute to inclusive neighbourhoods, and should adapt to people’s change needs as they age.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Thousands of Greater Manchester older people to receive support through Creative Care Kits
A unique new initiative will see creative kits full of things to do delivered to 16,000 older people across Greater Manchester thanks to funding from Arts Council England, National Heritage Lottery Fund, National Lottery Community Fund and Ambition for Ageing.
GM Older People's Network supported by Macc
Greater Manchester Older People’s Network Newsletter – June 2020
The most recent edition of the newsletter includes guidance relating to Covid-19, opportunities for members to share their thoughts and experiences, and wellbeing information. GMOPN member Pauline has also written some fantastic poetry whilst in lockdown which is shared in the newsletter.
Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing (MICRA)
Webinar: Our immunological defences - staying fit in the COVID world – 17th July
MICRA are delighted to announce the next event in their webinar series: Our immunological defences - staying fit in the COVID world. It will be chaired by Professor Rachel Watson, CO-Director of MICRA, and will host three speakers and a Q&A session.
Other news, resources and events
GM Wellbeing Grants
GMCVO, working in partnership with 10GM, have launched the second stage of a grants programme to support adult mental wellbeing in communities of identity or experience. Micro grants of £100-£500 are available to small, grass roots voluntary and community groups.
Report: Lockdown could leave next generation of retirees poorer and sicker than the last
Recent data produced by Ipsos MORI, funded by the Centre for Ageing Better, suggests that the coronavirus crisis risks creating a 'lost generation' of retirees facing poor health and financial insecurity in retirement. This research features 440 interviews with residents in mid to later life across Greater Manchester - helping us to gain greater understanding of what is needed for an age-friendly recovery in our city-region.
Report: Older jobseekers risk being left ‘on the scrapheap’
Older job seekers face a series of barriers to finding work in the wake of Covid-19, according to the Centre for Ageing Better’s new report on improving employment support for over 50s.
Report: Life after lockdown: tackling loneliness
New research from the British Red Cross supports the need for a renewed government commitment to tackle loneliness during and after the coronavirus pandemic.
Blog: Age-friendly culture: a powerful resource
This blog from Emma Horridge, Age-Friendly Culture Champions Manager for Greater Manchester, shares how age-friendly culture has developed in Greater Manchester. She notes that the Culture Champions scheme has an emphasis on reaching older people at risk of social isolation and uses culture as a vehicle to encourage active citizenship.
Blog: NHS Reset: Providing a vital lifeline at a time of crisis
NHS Reset is a new NHS Confederation campaign to contribute to the public debate on what the health and care system should look like in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this blog, part of a series of comment pieces from NHS Confederation members and partners, Yvonne Lee shares how Age UK Oldham has supported vulnerable housebound people throughout the pandemic.
Covid-19: GMCA Support and advice for older residents
GM Ageing Hub and partners are working to collate guidance, advice and resources to provide support for older residents across the region.
Covid-19: Comic Relief launches £3.4 million fund for BAME-led projects
To help address these inequalities as part of its wider Covid-19 crisis response, Comic Relief has partnered with the National Emergencies Trust to award £3.4m worth of grants to 10 BAME- led organisations who will distribute the funding to small and micro projects across the UK.
Covid-19: Safely Reopening GM
Working in partnership with TFGM and GMCA, the Growth Company has launched a campaign designed to ensure that employers and employees in Greater Manchester can access information they need to support the safe return to work as the economy starts to reopen
Covid-19: Funding for organisations affected by Covid
The GMCVO website lists funding available specifically for people and organisations affected by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
A jobs, learning and money guidance site designed for the over 50s
GMCVO have recently held conversations with the Founder/CEO and Head of Communications at Rest Less about the importance of offering flexible working to older workers and promoting age-friendly employment.
They offer access to jobs from age-friendly employers through the Rest Less jobs board, job search guidance, CV & Cover letter advice and free templates, interview tips, and career change inspiration to help with your job search and interview preparation. They also offer a course search with both free and paid for learning opportunities, a money club, a community forum and a volunteer search option if you are interested in offering your skills to a charity.
Survey: Manchester’s LGBT-Affirmative Extra Care Scheme
LGBT Foundation has secured funding from Homes England to engage with LGBT communities regarding the development of an LGBT-Affirmative Extra Care Scheme in Manchester. Deadline 31st July.
Research Network meeting: Co-producing co-production – five case studies from Greater Manchester – 18th September
Claire Hannibal and Susanne Martikke will talk about a research project on co-production. They will be joined by representatives of the five VCSE organisations that participated in the research.