healthy and active ageing - EuroHealthNet's Healthy Ageing Website

9. The Big Lottery AdvantAGE programme
Preventing social isolation of older people through support and befriending services
The AdvantAge programme (funded by the The Big Lottery Fund) has made £20 million available for
projects across Wales working with people aged over 50 to improve their quality of life by providing
access to befriending or advocacy services. The main objective is to provide support and social
contact to older people, who are at risk of isolation and experiencing loneliness. Local organisations
were invited to submit coordinated applications to this programme between June-October 2010.
More information is available at:
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_advantage
10. Belfast Senior Info Directory
A resource for older people to understand their rights and the municipal services
available to them
Belfast has created a range of resources to seniors, such as the Seniors Information Directory,
which provides seniors with information about their rights and the services available to them.
The resource is a tool for empowering and enabling older people to participate and stay
included and engaged in the community. Belfast City Council also hosts half-day workshops,
which are designed to inform seniors, carers and professionals about how to use the directory.
http://www.belfasthealthycities.com/images/stories/PDFs/seniorsinfo.pdf
11. Rural Ageing
Improving understanding of the needs of older people in rural areas
This project founded under the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, explores the quality of life of
older people in rural areas in the UK by analysing the extent of their involvement in communities,
leisure patterns and cultural interests. It also addresses the barriers and opportunities to participation
that they experience, and their attitudes to the countryside as a social, cultural and environmental
space.
http://www.newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/rural-ageing.html
Special focus on volunteering
12. Retired and senior volunteer programme (RSVP)
Promoting volunteering among older people
This UK programme encourages people aged 50 and over to get involved in local
matters in England, Scotland and Wales. This free standing programme within
Community Service Volunteers (CSV) harnesses the wide range of skills and
experience of mature people to the benefit of people in the community. Apart
from a few permanent paid workers, it is staffed by volunteers who organise
other volunteers into groups of between 10 to 50. The permanent staff identifies
charities, hospitals, schools and other organisations that would like to engage a
team of volunteers. They also make sure that all volunteers have proper training
and support. Projects operate in many sectors: health, environment, cultural
heritage, etc., in around 20 regions with more than 14,000 volunteers. The
wealth of organised activities includes: ‘Grandmentors’ working with teenagers;
a programme connecting isolated retired seafarers; recycling bicycles, and
organising meals for the homeless.
More information is available at:
www.csv-rsvp.org.uk
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