Ambition for Ageing eBulletin May 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.
Ambition for Ageing (AfA)
Alternatives to cash during COVID-19
Following reports of older people expressing fears about what to do when they run out of cash and concerns around how to pay for items delivered by volunteers, forcing some to go to cash points or doing shopping themselves, we have carried out a review of available alternatives to cash.
Keeping Well at Home
We have supported the GM Ageing Hub in producing a guide to help older people in Greater Manchester keep well while at home. It is packed full of health and dietary advice, including a programme of standing and sitting strength and balance exercises. It gives useful tips on keeping minds active, eating and drinking at home and safety.
New video from Healthy Me, Healthy Communities
Healthy Me, Healthy Communities have released a video documenting their work on an Ambition for Ageing project, Collective Effect. It follows three groups of volunteers from Wythenshawe, Hulme and Rusholme setting up their own social enterprises.
Equalities Board supported by LGBT Foundation
Equalities and Ageing digest #1
The team based at the LGBT Foundation have produced the first edition of their Equalities and Ageing digest. This first edition highlights the unequal impact of COVID-19.
Each month from April to October it will take a look at a topic of interest to older people and look at it from an equalities perspective. It aims to show how different forms of discrimination can cross over and create a deeper experience of inequality.
GM Older People's Network supported by Macc
An update
The GM Older People’s Network are continuing to communicate with members via a weekly bulletin with advice, support and guidance relating to shopping and accessing money, wellbeing, funs thins to do, nutrition and hydration advice and keeping active.
They are also continuing to share positive news stories from older people. This week, Gill who is a member of the Action Group, has written a short article about the positive action she has taken whilst at home.
Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing (MICRA)
Technology and Social Connections for older people during COVID-19
Our researcher based at MICRA has conducted a brief literature review on the use of information and communication technologies to support social connections for older people. We have identified some guiding principles of engaging older people in using digital technologies.
Blog: How social distancing deepens inequalities among older people
Whilst social distancing is necessary, it can have detrimental effects to the most vulnerable in society. In this blog, researchers from the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group discuss the negative impact of social distancing and suggest what needs to be done to better support those most vulnerable.
Other News, Events and Resources
Greater Manchester Community Hubs
Community Hubs have been set up by councils in each borough of Greater Manchester to provide support for vulnerable people who have to self-isolate. Contact details are available at the link below.
GMCVO Covid-19 webpage
The GMCVO website is providing guidance, support and resources for VCSE organisations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic for a number of groups, including employers, BAME communities, social enterprises and more.
Apply for National Lottery Funding now
The National Lottery Community Fund are distributing £370m of government funding and £300m of lottery funding to projects and organisations best placed to support their communities at this time.
Community Support Fund
The Community Support Fund accepts applications from community groups in Greater Manchester responding to impact of Covid-19. Awards of up to £5,000 are available.
Online event: Tackling loneliness during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Thursday 21st May
This interactive digital event from Kaleidoscope and Ageing Better, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund explores responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and what lessons there are for reducing loneliness and supporting people in their communities.
Campaign launched to provide mental health support following Covid-19 outbreak
Mental health charities from across Greater Manchester have teamed up in a new campaign, Beelieve, to support individuals, families and communities affected by Covid-19 by providing resources and equipment which will allow them to access emotional, therapeutic and practical help when and where it is needed.
Ways to Connect and Tutorials
Ageing Better in Camden have pulled together a range of free guides, online courses and volunteer support to help you get to grips with tools like email, Skype, Zoom and internet search tools to help you get connected, do online shopping and banking, and find important information
New Support Agency Directory
This new directory from GMCVO-led project Caring Working Living contains details of organisations that offer support around welfare; finance; housing; wellbeing and mental health; caring; and employment across Greater Manchester.
Resources published to enable employers to attract parents and carers into the workplace
Caring Working Living have also published a new report ‘Flexible working: the role of job boards in better promoting flexible work’ and a guide for employers on 'How to attract Returners to your organisation'
Research Network Meeting: Collecting data at a distance
Friday 5th June
What are the implications of the current crisis for research? This session is a chance for you to discuss your concerns, as well as share experiences, hints and tips with each other about doing research in times like these.