The UK has an ageing population. There are more people over 65 than there are people under 16.
What impact is this having on our communities? How does this affect community projects? This publications explains how older people can make a difference to your projects and how your projects can improve their lives.
This field guide was published by the Eden Project as part of its Big Lunch Extras programme. Find out more at www.biglunchextras.com
4. Foreword
Eden is an educational charity. One of its aims is to connect
people with each other and their communities. If we are serious
about creating sustainable communities we need to take the
time to understand and respect the experience of older people
in order that we don’t lose vital knowledge that could be passed
on to future generations.
However, isolation and loneliness is a huge issue of our time. It
is unacceptable that in every street there is someone who feels
excluded. We need to break down isolation brick by brick and
create opportunities that value the contribution older people
can make to our society and keep them engaged in the present
and thinking about the future.
We have chosen to work with the Sensory Trust on this guide
as they have a wealth of experience working with older people
and are keen champions of the rewards that this can bring to
people developing community projects on the ground.
The Eden Team.
4
5. Contents
Introduction 6
Why involve older people? 10
Myths and misconceptions 14
Disability heath and wellbeing 22
Involving older people 36
Intergenerational activity 46
Making the most of older people’s skills and
knowledge 52
Conclusion 58
Further reading and resources 62
References 63
5
8. The UK has an ageing population. There are more people
over 65 than there are people under 16, a trend that is likely
to continue as ‘baby boomers’ reach retirement age. What
impact is this having on our communities? How does this
affect community projects? What role can they play?
An ageing population obviously has its issues. The number of
people being diagnosed with dementia is increasing, and the
physical and sensory impairments that come with ageing -
mobility issues, hearing loss and reduced vision – are having
widespread effects as people are living longer and staying
longer in their homes and their communities.
The impact of an ageing
population
Hopefully you’re reading this field guide because you want
to involve older people in your project; you may already
have realised that they can have a beneficial impact on the
community and enhance community activity. Having the
opportunity to share their skills means more than just doing
good for the community; it’s good for someone’s health and
wellbeing too. Your project could provide more opportunities
for older people to get out and about, meet new people, learn
new skills, gain more confidence and knowledge and feel more
valued in their community.
8
9. Loneliness and isolation
Five per cent of the 55-64 age group, 13% of 65-74 group and 23% of the
over-75s live alone and do not see or speak with someone every day.
Nearly 2.5 million people over 75 live alone. 1.8 million of them are women.
The over-65s are estimated to spend an average of 80% of their time at
home. For the over that rises to 90%.
Misconceptions and stereotypes associated with the older
generation
Factors that prevent older people being active in their
communities and some possible solutions
The benefits of involving older people in community projects
Creative ideas
Examples of inspiring projects
This guide will cover:
9
11. Why involve
older people?
Older people make up around a fifth of the
population, have developed a lifetime of skills and
knowledge, often have time on their hands, and
are keen to do voluntary work...why not get them
involved?
11
12. Older people are good
for your project
Talk to old people – they know things you don’t
Older people know about all sorts of things; they might have
practical skills such as carpentry, gardening and crafts; or know
ways to make money stretch further. They can have a wealth of
local knowledge about people and places.
Time
Many older people have spare time, something other sections of a
community often don’t. But don’t assume they’re not already busy
or that their time has no value.
Much of the talk about our ageing population refers to the
pressure on health and social services. However, older people
have a considerable amount of knowledge and experience that
could be of value to their community.
12
13. Your project is good
for them
Talk to old people – it might be their only conversation today
Social isolation is an issue that affects many older people. It can
feel lonely living in a street where you are the only person not
out working or at school during the day. It’s not uncommon for
some older people to go for two or three days without speaking
to anyone. Current government priorities are to encourage people
to stay at home longer, putting off the move into assisted or
residential care. This increases the risk of older people becoming
isolated – even the once-regular visits by the postman and
milkman are becoming less frequent.
Funding
If you’re looking for funding for your project then showing
potential funders that you’ve engaged people of all ages in the
developmental stages is crucial. Not only will it help you with
your funding applications, but you will reap the benefits of getting
everyone involved from the beginning. So arm yourself with some
facts and figures.
13
15. Myths and
misconceptions
It’s easy to put people in boxes and make
assumptions about what they are capable or
incapable of. One thing’s for sure, older people
are full of surprises.
15
16. The problem of putting
people in boxes
Myth: older people are grumpy
The Guardian recently quoted a study that suggested that people
are happiest in their younger and older years.
Myth: older people are slow and frail
So who is an older person? A six-year-old might say a
33-year-old is ancient, a 70-year-old might tell you old
age begins at 80. Age UK support people over 60, whereas
SAGA’s target audience is 50 plus (although we wouldn’t
necessarily advise referring to 50-year-olds as old). For
some, it’s those of retirement age and over and don’t forget
the old adage: ‘You’re only as old as you feel’! As with other
age groups, it’s easy to stereotype older people. They are
often depicted as frail, grumpy, slow, and forgetful; the truth
is those words can be used to describe people of all ages.
Retired dentist Charles Eugster set a new age-related World
Record in March 2015 when he ran the indoor 200m in 55.48
seconds...at the age of 95.
Johanna Quaas rediscovered her love of gymnastics in her 50s and
still performs an amazing and energetic parallel bars routine at 89.
Senior playgrounds and outdoor gyms (Hyde Park, London;
Blackley Park, Manchester; Shaw Park, Hull to name a few) are
popping up all over the country due to interest and high costs
of indoor gyms. They are enabling older people to maintain their
physical health and social interaction. The ‘Green Gym’ appeals
to many older people as it combines being outdoors and doing
something good for the environment with keeping fit and healthy.
16
18. A few headline facts and figures
There are now nearly 14.7 million people in the UK aged 60 and above.
4.9 million people over 65 in England take part in volunteering or civic
engagement (52%).
Nearly 1.4 million people over 65 in England and Wales provide unpaid care for
a partner, family, or others.
3.8 million people over 65 live alone. 70% of these people are women.
About 6.4 million people over 65 have some form of hearing loss.
Myth: older people are forgetful
A piece in the Telegraph reflected on the findings of a study in 2014
which suggested that older people aren’t necessarily forgetful,
they simply know so much it takes them longer to recall things.
Myth: older people are inactive
Around half the people over 65 in the UK currently get involved in
volunteering, for example becoming a part of a befriending service
or volunteer driving or some form of civic engagement such as
sitting on the Parish Council or joining a local Lions or Rotary Club.
Nearly 4.9 million people aged 65 and over in England (58%) take
part in volunteering or civic engagement.
For older people, stereotyping in its most extreme cases can
lead to ageism, a form of discrimination, with people making an
assumption that an activity or event isn’t appropriate for older
people simply based on their age, not on their wants, needs,
or ability. The Equality Act of 2010 is the most recent piece of
legislation that covers discrimination. Ageism can have an adverse
effect on older people’s health and wellbeing but inclusive
community projects provide the opportunity for intergenerational
activities that can help dispel the myths around ageing.
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19. The Equality Act
The 2010 Equality Act brought togetherexisting discrimination legislation. The lawmakes it illegal to discriminate in relation tonine ‘protected characteristics’ including age.The other characteristics are disability, genderreassignment, marriage and civil partnership,pregnancy and maternity, race, religion andbelief, sex and sexual orientation. Remember,age is a characteristic everyone has, regardlessof gender, sexuality, cultural background,ethnicity, religious belief.
Some older people are from Black, Asian,and minority ethnic (BAME) groups (8% ofpeople in England over 60 are from BAMEgroups). Some older people are lesbian, gay orbisexual (estimated to be between 600,000and 840,000). Many are grandparents (14million). The message is simply not to makeassumptions about who an older person is butto take the time to find out about older peoplein your community.
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20. 20
Eden Walking Group
Begun a decade ago, the Eden Walking Group
provides local people suffering from a range of
respiratory diseases with the opportunity to
exercise in a safe and controlled environment.
Made up predominantly of people over retirement
age, the Walking Group meets every week at the
Eden Project. The evidence shows that participants
are not only able to manage their conditions
more effectively, they have seen their health and
confidence improve. The Eden Walking Group also
provides a sense of camaraderie and created an
informal network for people with conditions that
might otherwise limit their ability to get out and
enjoy themselves.
23. As we get older poor health and disability can become
more commonplace, but with a bit of thought and a
positive attitude your project can help older people
can be active, useful and engaged in community life.
Disability, health
and wellbeing
23
24. It is important to remember that age itself is not a
disability. It is simply that many illnesses and impairments,
physical and sensory, become more common as we get
older.
Disabilities and poor health can make it more difficult for some
older people to remain active in their community and could mean
that you need to make some changes to the way you plan or run
your project. Sensory impairment for example could mean that
you need to think about communication and information design.
A recent Ipsos MORI survey found that 13% of people over current
retirement age had a visual impairment, and about 6.4 million
people over 65 have some form of hearing loss; so you should
consider acoustics if your project involves a community building or
if you are planning an event or meeting.
Disabilities, poor health
& dementia
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25. Dementia Facts
Dementia
Dementia is very much in the media, often in shocking stories
relating to residential care. However, there are thousands of
people living with dementia at home in their community, people
who may have been recently diagnosed and are in the early stages
of the disease. Dementia does not discriminate; it is just as likely
to affect someone who has always been an active community
member as anyone else. Young-onset dementia can affect people
as young as 30.
With dementia on the increase it’s likely that you’ll meet people
who have been diagnosed with a form of dementia at some
point during your project. It affects not just those diagnosed but
their families, friends, neighbours and has an impact on the wider
community.
Make an effort to ensure your project is dementia-friendly by
helping to spread understanding and reducing stigma associated
with the disease. It will enable more individuals and importantly
their families and carers to remain active in their communities.
There are an estimated 820,000 people living with dementia in the UK.
A 2014 survey of 1,000 people with dementia found that:
Less than half feel part of their community
40% have felt lonely recently
Only 47% said that their carer received any help in caring for them
72% are living with another medical condition or disability as well as dementia
Just over half of people say that they are living well with dementia
Almost 1 in 10 only leave the house once a month.
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26. 26
Creative Spaces
Since 2009, the Creative Spaces project has been using
nature-based outdoor activities to help older people living
with dementia to reconnect with people and places in their
communities. The project began by supporting dementia care
in residential settings, demonstrating to staff and management
how their gardens and activities could support care work and
enable the residents to engage with others in the community.
Intergenerational activities allowed young people to increase
their understanding of dementia and activities in general helped
community members to dispel misunderstandings associated
with the disease. Creative Spaces now supports people living at
home as well. Outdoor interests such as walking are combined
with conversation, nature interests (not to mention tea and
cake!) and animation to help give people with dementia a voice.
www.sensorytrust.org.uk
28. Dementia is an ‘umbrella’ word under which sit numerous
forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is one; vascular dementia
and dementia with Lewy bodies are two more amongst
many others.
One thing to remember is that no two people diagnosed
with dementia will experience the disease in the same way
and it is possible to have more than one type of dementia,
but these are the most common forms of dementia and
their symptoms:
Types of dementia
Alzheimer’s disease
Associated with memory loss and difficulties with problem-solving
and language.
Vascular dementia
Occurs when blood is prevented from getting to the brain. People
experience problems with decision-making, concentration, or
following a series of steps e.g. cooking.
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Symptoms similar to both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease -
poor attention/alertness, visual hallucinations, movement/balance
problems.
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30. There are some common dos and don’ts which can help you
work well with someone with dementia so that you both
benefit from their involvement.
Working with people
with dementia
DO:
Ensure that the person or group will be supported by a
carer(s), family member(s) or friend(s).
Make it clear to the carer(s) that it’s really important for the
individual to have as much input as they want. It’s easy for
carers to slip into a leading role as they’re used to caring for
someone but in your project they are taking a supporting role
and allowing the individual they are caring for to make their
own choices and work at a level and pace that’s comfortable
for them.
Spend time finding out what they would like to contribute to
the project and how you can help them do that. Make them
feel part of the community and that their contribution is
valued.
Give the person with dementia the opportunity to work
with other people besides their carers. It helps increase their
social connections and levels of enjoyment through meeting
new people.
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31. DON’T:
Assume that because someone has dementia they can’t
contribute to your project; their short-term memory may
have gone but long-term skills and knowledge will be
retained.
Ignore the individual and talk solely to their companion.
Talk with the individual – and if they have reduced verbal
skills then their companion will most likely be able to tell
you what they are communicating – but there’s nothing
worse than feeling ignored.
Put yourself in the role of carer; it is easy to do when we
want to help people but unless you’re qualified as a care
worker, it could lead to some difficult or uncomfortable
situations.
Correct a person if you believe or know that what they say
isn’t true; your world-view is not necessarily theirs.
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32. Working with older carers
Nearly 1.4 million people over 65 in England and
Wales provide 50 or more hours of informal,
unpaid care each week. The majority of these
carers are women. Family carers don’t often see
themselves as carers and may have struggled or
coped for years.
People who, for whatever reason, are caring
for a loved one at home often find it difficult
to get involved in community events without
care support, namely someone to come in and
provide support and care whilst they go out. Or
as a couple, they may want to go together and
might require help with getting there and back.
A sensitive approach to finding out their needs is
best; a tactful offer of help rather than assuming
it’s fine to whip their partner off in a wheelchair
is more respectful.
Providing older carers with as much information
on the support that is available within your
project (e.g. volunteer helpers, quiet areas for rest
etc.) enables them to feel in control of their own
choices. Events themselves can be disappointing
if there’s no option for them to either participate
in an activity together or, as if often more
important for the carer, the opportunity to spend
a little time involved in different activities, having
conversations with other people.
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34. As we age, we start to face barriers that can prevent us from
being active community members. Often these barriers relate
to the physical and sensory impairments associated with
old age. These barriers can have an impact on others in our
communities, such as people with disabilities, and can be
grouped.
Accessibility
Physical
Things that can prevent older people from actually getting to an
event, or activity, or attending a meeting. This could include steps
to a building, a lack of accessible toilet facilities, nowhere to sit, or
nowhere to park nearby. High kerbs, steps, uneven paving etc., can
create problems for people using wheelchairs or walking frames.
Regular and reliable public transport could be an issue for older
people in your community. Many older people rely on public
transport to get out and about, especially those who can’t afford
to run a car, don’t have a driving licence, or have had it revoked for
health reasons. This can be even more of an issue in rural areas
where limited services operate.
Intellectual
These are things that might prevent people from finding out in
the first place or being able to contribute or participate. This could
include information that is hard to follow or a design which is
difficult to read for someone with a visual impairment, for example.
Too much information, small text or poor contrast between the
background and text can put people off even trying to read it.
Things which could deter people from participating in something
because they feel it is somehow ‘not for them’. This could include
posters and leaflets that don’t include images of older people, or a
venue which is associated with a particular group, such as a youth
Comfort and cultural
34
35. centre. Other people’s preconceptions about what older people
can and can’t do excludes many of them from engaging actively in
community life. Remember, the older generation have grown up
through the post-war years; some were ‘teenagers’ in the 1950s
(before that young people didn’t have their own music or fashion
styles). They lived through the changing social attitudes of the ‘60s
and the 3–day working week and industrial strikes of the ‘70s. They
are often ready and up for anything!
Economic
Lack of disposable income can mean that some people can’t afford
to pay for public transport or run a car. It’s well known that living on
a pension can be hard. Many older people struggle to pay bills, heat
their homes, buy nutritious food etc., so it stands to reason that this
also has an impact on their social lives.
The most successful projects are those that engage community
members of all generations and backgrounds through the whole
process from beginning to end. This leads to more sustainable
projects. Whether you have an idea for a new project or a way of
engaging them in a current project, involve older people from the
outset.
35
37. Involving older
people
Older people aren’t just potential beneficiaries
of your project, they have knowledge,
experience and useful connections that can
make a real difference to your project.
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38. As discussed earlier, as people get older there is a risk of them
becoming more isolated, spending more time at home and
taking part in fewer community-based social activities. This
can often lead to them being labelled as being ‘hard-to-reach’
along with other groups in society. But don’t assume that all
old people are at home alone — some may already be actively
participating and volunteering in the community.
There will be different levels of involvement for older members
of the community, whatever the project, and there will be
various times when you should think about how inclusive your
activities should be.
There are four main levels of involvement:
Informing – telling older people what you are doing and why it applies
to them.
Consulting – talking to older people about the project, getting their
views and opinions.
Participating – older people taking part in the activities you are
planning for your project.
Volunteering – enabling older people to take part in the delivery of
the activities your project is planning. Encouraging older people to be
a part of the planning and organisation of the project, as a committee
member for example.
Different levels of
involvement
38
40. Use a range of appropriate forms of communication to access
older people living at home. Local media – radio, newspapers
(including the free ones), leaflet drops through letter boxes,
flyers in shop windows and around local businesses or the
library.
Be aware that doctors’ surgeries get inundated with requests to put
information in their waiting rooms and many are reluctant to take
flyers, but it’s always worth making a polite request, particularly if your
activity or event is health-based, or gives people an opportunity for
meaningful activity or physical exercise such as gardening or walking.
Word of mouth recommendations are often more encouraging
than any flashy promotional material; so get all your friends, family,
neighbours etc., to spread the word around.
Local businesses which offer OAP specials on certain days, for example
hairdressers, chemists, cafes and pubs, will already have regular
contact with older people and might be willing to help get the word
out.
Then there are the larger organisations that support older people; for
example Age UK, SAGA and U3A (University of the Third Age) run day
and activity clubs in most areas in the UK (see below for more details).
A quick phone call, a 10-minute chat to a group throwing all your
enthusiasm at them and you might be rewarded with their support.
Don’t forget to contact local disability and minority ethnic groups.
Local authorities have lists of local community and voluntary
organisations. You can access this on their website or ring them for a
hard copy.
Small independent groups often put information in shop windows
and at the post office to attract local attention so scout around next
time you pop in. There’s likely to be a ‘knit and natter’ group or a local
historical society in the area.
Informing
40
41. Good care homes are often on the look-out for somewhere to take
their more mobile residents so don’t dismiss them as being full
of people who can’t go out. It might only be one or two that turn
up but you will have given them a great day out and if they enjoy
themselves then the home manager is likely to organise for them to
participate again.
Memory or dementia cafes, Age UK day centres, and local care
homes are useful contacts if you want to involve people with
dementia in your project.
Pharmacies and local cafes are good locations to put flyers about
dementia-friendly events or projects. Think about places where
carers and those they care for are likely to visit on a regular basis.
Consider promoting your event as ‘dementia-friendly’. Local radio
stations sometimes broadcast health programmes and are often
popular with older people living at home, particularly if the topic is
relevant. So get yourself - or someone else involved in your project
– on for a 10-minute chat!
41
42. Using creative methods to engage with people can be a more
productive way to gather ideas and inspiration than getting
everyone around a table to asking direct questions such as ‘Do
you want…?’ or ‘Do you like…?’
Creative activities stimulate people’s minds. At school and work we
use our brains all the time. Older people still want to use their brains;
remember that common saying – ‘use it or lose it’? You can help older
people to keep those grey cells ticking over by using creative methods
to engage them in helping you to plan your project. It’s proven that
creativity keeps the mind active, so think about ways in which you
can engage older people so that they help you get the best out of the
project’s development stage. Using creative techniques such as art
and music, even outdoor interests such as making wildlife habitats or
willow-weaving, helps give older people a voice.
Community meetings are not feared by those who have the
confidence to voice their opinions but some people find them daunting
or pointless because they think: ‘Who’s going to listen to me? No one’s
going to think my idea is a good one!’ Creative sessions feel safe and
fun, they relax people, and for older people it is a way of engaging
with others socially. It creates a sense of equality and people are more
likely to share ideas and concerns in a relaxed atmosphere whilst their
attention is focused on doing something.
Consulting
42
43. Let them eat cake
Make sure you have plenty of refreshments and mention them in your
promotion. Tea and cake are always a great incentive to come, and a brilliant
ice-breaker.
Just drop in
‘Drop-in’ sessions can be useful in that people don’t feel they have to commit
to a specific time and that perhaps a casual glance around the door on the
way to the shops would let them see if there are a lot or just a few people.
Drop-ins also give an older person the chance to chat with someone and you
may be the only person they’ve spoken to that day or, sadly, all week. So be
flexible with your timing if you decide to host a ‘drop-in’. It’s also a chance to
get some of those flyers and other information out about your project, asking
people who drop in if they wouldn’t mind popping a few in the post office or
down the local pub.
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44. So you’ve got the word out and you’ve had some interest from
older people in the community. Now’s the time to engage
them in your project so that they have a great experience, tell
everyone else about it and if appropriate, come back again.
Older people like to be around people of other generations too. Family
events are great because they can spend quality time with their
families. For those without family nearby, it’s a chance to be around
younger people and to experience that connection again.
Rather than start by trying to determine what makes an event or
occasion enjoyable for older people, or create activities aimed
specifically at older people, think about how you can make your
planned activities more age-friendly. When designing activities, events
or projects for your community ensure older people are included in
the same way that you would young families, or teenagers.
Plan activities in which they can engage in with others (not a separate
table for ‘older people’s activities’!); plenty of comfy seating for those
short rests; refreshments; good lighting so that they can see what’s
available; clear signage on activities, toilets etc. And don’t forget the
‘welcome’ factor. Is the entrance to the event clearly marked? Does it
look appealing to older people? Are there smiling faces to welcome
them?
At the end you want to find out if people have had a good time and
would come back again. Having some simple way to evaluate people’s
experiences will encourage them to tell you. Too many questions on a
large sheet of paper can be off-putting, but something as simple as a
pebble or coloured counter in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ bucket is more appealing.
Use this opportunity to find out if anyone would like to get actively
involved in future projects.
Participating
44
45. Many older people already volunteer in their communities
and might be willing to help you out with your project.
A good place to find them are the organisations through which
older people often volunteer such as Rotary; Lions clubs; Women’s
Institutes and the Soroptimists. You can also use your local
volunteer centre to find volunteers of all ages. Local branches of
these organisations will be full of people with local knowledge and
contacts. They could well be a source of volunteers for your project
and possibly even small amounts of funding. Community Service
Volunteers run a programme called the RSVP, or Retired Senior
Volunteers Programme, which is aimed at encouraging people over
the age of 50 to volunteer in their communities.
Volunteering
Rotary www.rotary.org
Lions clubs www.lionsclubs.co
Women’s Institute www.thewi.org.uk
Soroptimists www.soroptimistinternational.org
Volunteer Centres www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/find-a-volunteer-centre
RSVP, (Retired Senior Volunteers Programme) www.csv-rsvp.org.uk
University of the Third Age (U3A) www.u3a.org.uk
Useful links
45
47. Intergenerational
activity
Projects that bring generations together keeps old
people young and helps young people grow, sharing
skills, knowledge, experiences, stories, and culture.
47
48. Sessions with each group individually can help people to feel
more comfortable before bringing them together for the first time,
particularly if your participants are individuals from the community
rather than an established group, e.g. a youth group or an Age UK group.
Both younger and older people will benefit from having time to bond
with others from their own generation initially. It also makes it easier
for you to get them together as they’ll feel more comfortable knowing
that they will have already met some of the people who attend the first
full intergenerational meeting.
One way to engage people across generations is to use an activity that
enables older people to share their skills and knowledge with young
people. But the opposite is just as effective.
Many successful intergenerational activities or projects use modern
technology as a tool to bring the two generations together. Technology
has become increasingly accessible with digital cameras and tablets
and this has opened up opportunities for young people to demonstrate
their knowledge to the older generation. Recent concepts such as
selfies and short videos are being introduced to older people who are
fully engaging with what for many will be a new way to do something
they did years ago with older technology.
Sports and games are other useful cross-generational activities. The
two generations can enjoy sharing their stories around their favourite
sports or get physical and share a game. Memorabilia is something
useful that older people can share with young people; showing them
Engaging across
generations
It is easier to bring young and older people together by doing
some foundation work first.
Technology
Sports and games
48
49. the older styles of sportswear (remember those fashionable knee-
length football shorts of the 60s?). How about theming an activity
around ‘New Versus Old’? Each generation can share its knowledge of
a modern or older game and then get the group into mixed-age teams
to play a game of each and see who wins. Or find a sport/game that
has spanned the generations; explore aspects of it that have altered
and those that have remained the same.
Music can bridge generation gaps. Exploring what music means
to people can bring out common interests between the two
generations; it doesn’t have to be about the content of the music but
the impression it leaves on people and any music from any generation
can make us feel happy, sad, energetic, bored etc. You’ll quickly find an
activity where people play music that represents different emotions
(you may need to dust off that old turntable that’s been in your attic
for 20 years) and will trigger conversations about why that happens.
From that comes shared experience and mutual understanding.
An intergenerational cooking workshop could enable older people to
pass on the recipes that they were taught to younger people, as well
as providing an opportunity for them to learn some new recipes from
others. Cooking together could stimulate conversation about nutrition,
how to make meals on a budget, where food comes from or how it’s
grown. It could even lead to a community cafe project.
The Centre for Intergenerational Practice has a website where there
are examples of case studies and a library of resources that you can
use to inspire thoughts around creative engagement.
www.centreforip.org.uk
Music
Food
49
50. 50
My Tree, My Community
Christmas can often be quite lonely for older people.
The Eden Project’s My Tree, My Community is an
intergenerational seasonal project which uses older
people’s stories to fire young people’s creativity. Older
people are invited to local schools to share stories of
Christmas past and present. The children then work
with an artist, using the stories they’ve uncovered as the
inspiration for Christmas decorations. Each tree tells a
unique story of a community, a lifetime of memories and
of knowledge to be passed on for future generations.
When the trees are decorated they are displayed at
the Eden Project where they are seen by thousands of
people over the Christmas period.
53. Making the most
of older people’s
skills and
knowledge
Like many in our communities older people need an
opportunity to be valuable and valued. Retirement,
old age or disability won’t stop people being useful
to your project.
53
54. We often assume that everyone wants to be in a club or a group,
but for some it’s a daunting vision, for others it’s just not their cup
of tea. They may, however still enjoy the feeling that they have
contributed in a meaningful way to their community. For example, a
man who has practical skills may not want to join a men’s club but is
happy tinkering away in his shed fixing other people’s broken tools
or making soil sifters for a local gardening club. A woman may not
want to leave her pet at home alone all day but is happy baking great
cakes in her kitchen or using her greenhouse to grow plants for sale
in your project.
Some people are good at practical tasks, others have a penchant for
numbers or design, or organising people. It takes all kinds of skills
and knowledge to organise an event or a project so don’t consider
older people solely as beneficiaries of a project. If they have skills
that will help your project to be more successful then invite them to
be part of the decision-making. Establishing mutual respect will help
to diffuse potentially negative attitudes that may arise from past
experiences. Older people need to feel that they will be listened to
and that their ideas and comments will be respected just like anyone
else. For some, this may be the first time their opinion has been
asked about anything that happens in the community so make this
gathering a comfortable, safe environment where people feel they
can express their ideas openly.
Accessing older people’s
skills and knowledge
Are there older people in the community who have skills
and knowledge that they would like to use more? It’s
important to recognise that people enjoy different levels
of participation and involvement, depending on their
confidence, personality and availability.
54
55. Older people can help spread the word about events, celebrations,
workshops etc, putting up information in local businesses and
shops, passing the word through family, friends and neighbours,
even the postman and milkman. They often know where older social
groups hang out and are at home during the day to contact day-
time clubs and groups. Involving older people in the planning and
delivery of your project can help you engage with more older people
in the wider community. It can be more tempting to attend or get
involved in a project if the person telling you about it is within your
age group, because it feels less intimidating and more likely that your
requirements have been considered.
Invite people to a coffee morning or tea party to chat about how
they can help. You can do this during your initial planning stage,
whilst you’re out and about with flyers or on a local radio chat about
your idea or event.
For some, a lack of confidence can be an issue and the thought
of getting involved in a group activity can raise anxiety levels. This
might be because they are new to the area and don’t yet feel settled,
or because they are living alone and don’t feel confident about
attending an activity without a friend or family member.
If you are inviting older people to help out, assign clear roles and
responsibilities. Make use of their skills and knowledge – it helps
them to feel valued and takes some of the pressure off you too.
If your project is about a venue or an event then hold this meeting
at the place itself, if you can. It will help the group to get a feel for
what your idea is and how they can be involved. If that’s not possible
then somewhere like a local cafe or community centre. Try and
avoid small, meeting-room style places; they are rarely inspirational
environments and can create the wrong atmosphere.
55
57. 57
Living Street Walking with older
people
Living Streets gets older
people walking and actively
improving their communities in
South Yorkshire. Older people
in Rotherham, Sheffield and
Doncaster are carrying out access
audits in outdoor environments
for older residents; particularly
access to local services such
as shops, doctors surgeries,
libraries etc. it’s also reducing
social isolation for many older
people by involving them in
volunteering opportunities, such
as leading walks and getting
involved in heritage projects. They
have highlighted issues such as
insufficient resting places and
lack of dropped kerbs, pavement
parking and overhanging
branches. Their reports have
helped local authorities to address
some of those issues; benches
have been installed in some places
and handrails and dropped kerbs
have been installed in a shopping
precinct. The programmed
walks are helping older people
to maintain physical fitness and
reconnect with their communities.
www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-
with-us/walking-with-older-
people
60. Conclusion
There are lots of older people in the UK and the number is
growing. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) tells us that
there are currently 11 million people over 65, representing nearly
a fifth of the population (17.7%). Projections suggest that this will
increase to nearer a quarter in the coming years (23.5% by 2030).
Even if your project is not specifically aimed at benefitting
older people, these numbers are significant. They represent
an opportunity, a valuable resource with a wealth of skills and
experience in your community. A survey by the Department
of Work and Pensions found that just over half of the people
approaching retirement age had aspirations to volunteer, where
volunteering was defined as unpaid work through a group, club
or organisation.
Older people can be usefully and meaningfully engaged or
involved at all stages of your project, from an initial idea and
project planning through to ongoing activities and volunteering.
Like any other individual member of your community they have
their own skills, experience and aspirations. One thing they
share is a wealth of life experience commonly combined with a
sense of history and community in your neighbourhood, village,
town or city.
Reaching and connecting with older people can sometimes be a
challenge but creating a project that values the involvement and
contribution of older community members and makes them
feel considered and welcome will make it easier for them to
become a part of what you are doing.
Your project can make a positive difference to the lives of older
people in your community and their involvement can make a
positive difference to your project.
60
61. Continued participation in the economy, community and culture is
good for individuals and good for society. It keeps us active, healthy
and happy. The research community calls this productive ageing…”
From The New Old Age: Perspectives on innovating our way to the good life
for all, NESTA, 2009
‘There was a relationship between volunteering at least once in the
last 12 months and life satisfaction. For older people the proportion of
those who volunteered and said they were satisfied with their lives
overall was higher at 84%. For those who did not volunteer 75% said
they were satisfied with their life overall.’
Measuring National Wellbeing: Older People’s Leisure Time and
Volunteering; Office of National Statistics, 2013.
61
62. The Sensory Trust: www.sensorytrust.org.uk
The Eden Project: www.edenproject.com/learning
Rotary: www.rotary.org
Lions clubs: www.lionsclubs.co
Women’s Institute: www.thewi.org.uk
Soroptimists: www.soroptimistinternational.org
Volunteer Centres: www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/find-a-
volunteer-centre
RSVP, (Retired Senior Volunteers Programme): www.csv-rsvp.org.uk
University of the Third Age (U3A): www.u3a.org.uk
The Green Gym: www.tcv.org.uk/greengym
Engaging with Older People Evidence Review, Age UK.
Bingo and Beyond; Starting to Look at Good Practice When Working
with Older People, Engage with Age, June 2004.
Grouchy Old Men? a brief guide to help develop services that engage
isolated older men and promote good mental health and wellbeing,
The Mental Health Foundation, 2010.
Later Life fact sheet; The Later Life UK factsheet is produced by
Age UK and updated on a monthly basis. It is available publicly in a
downloadable PDF format.
Further reading and resources
Online resources
Print resources
62
63. Fact box - Loneliness and isolation information from
www.campaigntoendloneliness.org
(Blanchflower and Oswald (2004), Is Well-being
U-Shaped over the Life Cycle? Social Science & Medicine)
(Ramscar et al. (2014), The Myth of Cognitive Decline:
Non-Linear Dynamics of Lifelong Learning)
A few headline facts and figures taken from Later Life
UK factsheet, (Age UK, 2015) and the Campaign to end
loneliness www.campaigntoendloneliness.org
References
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63
68. 68
The UK has an ageing population.
There are more people over 65
than there are people under 16.
What impact is this having on our
communities? How does this affect
community projects? The Eden
Field Guide to Working with older
people explains how older people
can make a difference to your
projects and how your projects can
improve their lives.
