A third of people lack confidence to tackle isolation of elderly in their community

30/8/12

- Elderly isolation is a growing concern, with many feeling trapped and alone 

- £100,000 Challenge Prize fund to help communities reduce isolation in old age

Over half of people in the UK would like to help reduce the isolation of elderly people in their community, but almost a third do not have the confidence to do so, a survey for innovation foundation, Nesta, shows. 

The survey comes as Nesta and the Cabinet Office encourage organisations to submit ideas to the Ageing Well challenge that bring people together in new ways to combat this pressing social concern.

Although 14 per cent of people are already trying to reduce the isolation of elderly in their community, 34 per cent of respondents said that they would like to help but don't know how. A further 12 per cent of people said that they have ideas which they have not yet put into action.

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, Saga Magazine said:

"Tackling social isolation is enormously important in helping  older people to maintain their quality of life. There must be some great ideas out there for tackling it and this is a great opportunity to make a brilliant idea happen"

The Ageing Well challenge, which is run by Nesta's Centre for Challenge Prizes and funded by the Cabinet Office, seeks ideas to reduce the isolation and increase the mobility of vulnerable older people, by creating new opportunities for people to give time, skills and resources. The deadline to submit ideas to the Ageing Well challenge is 14 September 2012 and application is via www.nesta.org.uk/givingchallenges 

Vicki Purewal, head of the Centre for Challenge Prizes, Nesta, said: 

"It is clear that communities have the ideas, skills and the passion to help reduce isolation in old age, but sometimes we all need motivation and help to get ideas off of the ground and a boost in confidence. This is why we have launched the Ageing Well challenge prize.

"Elderly isolation is a growing issue with research from organisations such as The Campaign to End Loneliness showing that elderly feel trapped and alone. We want people to submit new ideas that have the potential to reduce isolation and increase mobility of elderly by tapping into collective skills and resources of neighbours, family, peers, organisations and businesses."

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said:

"It's very encouraging how many people would like to help reduce loneliness in our communities. Through this Challenge Prize we are looking to support great new ideas that will make it easier for more people to get involved and make a positive difference."

The survey results are promising as people increasingly recognise the impact that community initiatives can have as the appetite for volunteering time, skills and resources grows: less than a quarter of people volunteered to community action projects in the last year, yet a third plan to in the next year.

Only a quarter of respondents said that skills are the barrier to put an idea into action, instead citing challenges in knowing where to start (48 per cent), followed by lack of time (45 per cent) and lack of funding (42 per cent).

In the survey, people overwhelmingly called for community spirit, social groups, community living, good transport and strong relationships with family and friends of all generations when asked what they wished for to help combat isolation and lack of mobility among elderly. The Ageing Well challenge prize will reward innovative approaches that take these and other areas affecting isolation in to consideration. 

Twenty-five entries to the Ageing Well challenge will be shortlisted and given the support and opportunity to develop a detailed plan for their idea. Five concepts with the potential for sustainability and scale will then each receive up to £10,000 and professional advice to set up and test their projects.  The idea that is proving most effective at reducing isolation, and has the potential to be even more effective in the future, will be selected in September 2013 and will be awarded £50,000.  

Entry is via online application at www.nesta.org.uk/givingchallenges and the deadline is noon 14 September 2012. 

- Ends -

Notes to editor

For further information or interview with Nesta, please contact Sarah Reardon on 020 7438 2606 / sarah.reardon@nesta.org.uk or Natalie Hodgson on 020 7438 2614 natalie.hodgson@nesta.org.uk

To request an interview with Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, please contact the Cabinet Office press office on 0207 276 2234

• The Ageing Well survey was carried out amongst 1257 UK adults by Censuswide on behalf of Nesta in August 2012.
• Interviews and case studies of existing initiatives to reduce isolation in old age and are available on request. Case studies include:

Care4Care will provide support for older people through mutual exchange: 'support provided by me now in return for support for me later '. care4care members earn 'care credits' by supporting/caring for an older person in their local community. The hours of support members provide are recorded in their individual care credit account for the member's own future use or to support a relative or friend now.

Tyze is an online tool that helps an individual, their families and care professionals work together.

The Good Gym provides meaningful ways to exercise.  It connects people who want to get fit with physical tasks that need to be done, and which benefit the community.  We can do anything from shifting rubble, and planting gardens to making deliveries and friendly visits to older people.

Age UK's Men In Sheds project is specifically for men aged 60 years and over. It provides a well equipped workshop where men can work together on a range of practical activities.

• The Campaign to End Loneliness' Safeguarding the Convoy, 2011, cites increasing isolation amongst elderly.
• The Ageing Well challenge prize is one of two Giving Challenges run by Nesta's Centre for Challenge Prizes. The Giving Challenges sit alongside the Innovation in Giving programme, which is one of a number of new policies announced in the Government's Giving White Paper in May 2011. Giving Challenges and the Innovation in Giving fund are both funded by the Cabinet Office and run by Nesta. For further information please see www.cabinetoffice.giv.uk/resource-library/giving-white-paper

About Nesta

Nesta is the UK's innovation foundation. We help people and organisations bring great ideas to life. We do this by providing investments and grants and mobilising research, networks and skills.

We are an independent charity and our work is enabled by an endowment from the National Lottery.

Nesta Operating Company is a registered charity in England and Wales with a company number 7706036 and charity number 1144091. Registered as a charity in Scotland number SC042833. Registered office: 1 Plough Place, London, EC4A 1DE

www.nesta.org.uk