Our Community Media scaled programme was made up of two programmes:

Talking about my Generation

Yellow Jigsaw in partnership with Age UK Bolton, Age UK Bury, Age UK Manchester, Age UK Oldham, Age UK Salford, Age UK Tameside and Age UK Wigan Borough, are delivering the Talking about my Generation project in all eight Ambition for Ageing districts (Bolton, Bury, Manchester Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside and Wigan).

Residents of those areas are being supported as community reporters to explore the experiences of older people over the age of 50 who have previously experienced social isolation. They have spent the last 12 months causing a big sensation; capturing stories of inspiring individuals who show there’s much to life over 50 – and have spread the word through events, magazines, podcasts and news interviews.

The Talking About my Generation website are contonuing the project and is now running as a professional news publication as a legacy to the Ambition for Ageing funding. The website, which has been set up with the support of the Yellow Jigsaw team, is a news magazine for people aged 50 and over – which will gather positive stories of enjoying later life, challenges that are faced, sports, art and culture, nostalgia, podcasts and much more.

Click here to follow them on Twitter and visit their website here: talkingaboutmygeneration.co.uk

Subculture

Two providers delivered  the subculture programme which aimed to create media products with older people based on their niche interests, hobbies or experiences. These did not necessarily have a broad appeal but the project aimed to connect people who share those interests to reduce social isolation.

• The Broughton Trust: The Broughton Trust in partnership with Mary Burns Community Group who run the Salford Star, delivered the Subculture project across Salford, Manchester and Bolton with retired trade union members, older BAME people and disadvantaged groups. They held a series of workshops across each borough to upskill and co-produce media in a number of ways. The groups produced a number of activities, which you can view below:
  • A documentary and ‘Penny Hang’
  • A promotional video for Boddan Lodge Over 60's Club in Salford
  • A Christmas advertising campaign
  • A special comic devised by members to encourage more people to come and join, to alleviate isolation.

• Alchemy Arts: Alchemy Arts worked with older members of the Pakistani community across Manchester, Bury and Oldham to deliver 'TEK Eagles'. They held a series of workshops across each borough to upskill and co-produce media in a number of ways, specifically looking at the use of social media. Click here to read about the impact of their TEK Eagles programme.