Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

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Chapter 3 – Effective interventions
Case study 16
Dining with a Difference
EESCP recently hosted Dining with a Difference, a special dinner event to celebrate and raise awareness
of the benefits of employing disabled people.
The event provided a leading disability consultancy with the opportunity to take employers through a four
course meal, highlighting at each course how disability affects their employees, their customers and clients
and the communities in which they do business. Diners were encouraged to share personal experiences
and views and consider in practical terms what needs to be done if their companies are to build on their
achievements.
Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, who attended the event, said
Dining with a Difference has enabled employers to take the time out and explore the positive benefits
of being a ‘disability confident’ organisation. If employers take on the role of championing disability
issues it will go a long way to help address barriers that disabled people face within the labour market.
Anne McGuire also spoke about the changing demographics in the region and the convincing case for the
business benefits a flexible approach to workforce diversity brings.
Comments from guests included:
I was genuinely moved and educated. The scale of the needs and indeed the value of economic inclusion
of this 'forgotten' section of work-capable society was brought to our attention in a delicate yet forceful way.
3.1 – SO5: To promote active ageing and reduce social exclusion of older people
‘Active ageing’ is a concept championed by the World Health Organisation, as the central theme of a policy
framework to promote healthy and active lives. It is defined as ‘the process of optimising opportunities for
health participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.’
This can include participation of older people in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs (SO5: 1),
as well as the ability to be physically active and to participate in the labour force (SO1: 4 and SO2: 6).
While not all older people will experience social exclusion, some of its causes can also be a barrier to active
ageing, such as difficulties in accessing services, including transport.
i) Housing and health
Making the links between housing, health and social care is crucial to ensuring holistic service provision for
those older people most vulnerable to social exclusion. Housing specifically designed to meet the needs of
older people may enable them to live independently for longer. The Regional Housing Strategy for the East of
England: 2005-2010 (EERA, 2005) recommends an increase in the availability of Home Improvement Agency
(HIA) services across the region (SO6: 3). HIAs assist vulnerable homeowners or private sector tenants who
are older, disabled or on low income to repair, improve, maintain or adapt their homes. By improving people's
living conditions their quality of life is enhanced and they are able to remain in their homes in greater comfort
and security.