15/07/10
Six social ventures established by entrepreneurs aged over 50 will share a £100,000 pilot fund as part of NESTA's Age Unlimited Scotland challenge - a project seeking to radically transform public services in Scotland by involving people aged 50 plus to help to tackle social isolation in the very old.
The winners are:
The winning ventures, who have been supported by NESTA through workshops, training and coaching over the last six months, were judged by an independent panel of experts, and will receive a share of the prize fund to get their idea up and running in their local community.
The Age Unlimited Scotland programme was launched by NESTA (The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) in December 2009 in response to research which showed the UK is unprepared for the challenges of an ageing population. One in three people in the UK is now aged over 50, which is placing unsustainable demands on public services, such as health and social care. Amongst the increasingly large number of older people expected in Scotland by 2031, there is also a natural expectation that they will be able to generate income beyond retirement as well as being seen as a valued member of society.
Jackie McKenzie, NESTA's Head of Innovation Programmes in Scotland commented: "The Age Unlimited Scotland programme has shown that there is a wealth of innovative ideas amongst local people to help improve services in their own community for older people. With intelligent support and appropriate funding, they can make a significant difference in tackling one of Scotland's biggest social challenges. This can be achieved without increased cost to the public purse during these difficult financial times and, we believe, will help services move beyond simple efficiencies, to deliver better services for less money, focussed on the needs and expectations of local people."
Applications were received from 115 individuals/teams with the seed of an idea for a social or community enterprise. The winners, picked from 15 finalists, were judged on their achievements in three areas: genuine innovation which does not duplicate what is already in the community; opportunity to save the public purse by offering services that are more cost-effective; and ability to be scaled and replicated across Scotland.
Volunteer Gold wants to provide a service to enable older people to have access to a range of activities, physical, creative and learning, that maintain or improve their physical health and wellbeing. Volunteer Gold will try to ensure that these older people in our society become motivated and confident and re-engage again in the wider community. Volunteer Gold will take this service to older people who experience isolation due to a variety of reasons.
Third Age Fun and Games will enable older people to: Learn computer games while at the same time having fun. This will lessen any sense of isolation while extending their knowledge of computing at home or in a group; and encourage families to pass on their "old" computer to an elderly relative so that they may also learn the advantages of being online.
The Big Event is a one day festival that will bring together all the local work, volunteering and social support initiatives in South Lanarkshire that would be interested in the over 50's to act as an early intervention process to keep individuals active and involved into their 70's and 80's. It will provide information, workshops, discussion groups and free taster sessions in a variety of activities to encourage people who are retired, or thinking about retirement, to get out, get active and get involved in their community; to use the vast range of skills and experience they have accrued; to meet other people and to be involved in helping others to help themselves.
Better Balmedie is a group of people who are working on a voluntary basis to improve Balmedie village. The group plants and tend bulbs, seeds and plants, build planters, run litter picks and a gardening club, and have plans for the future to grow and sell plants and vegetables and create a Community Garden. There is a particular focus on making gardening accessible to older people, improving paths and benches for older people and working with older people when they are no longer able to maintain their own gardens.
Book Exchange will provide an innovative way for sectors of the older population to enjoy, swap and discuss books in an interactive way.
The Hub Cafe is a weekly afternoon cafe with entertainment for retired men and women who live in East Kilbride and its environs. It is run by volunteers on a cost basis and any funds left over from ticket sales will be used for trips, Christmas parties, etc. for our users. The aim is to bring older people in the community together for a 'Young at Heart' style afternoon, to prevent social isolation and to encourage participation in our weekly activities.
The Dragon's Tooth Thursday Club (DTTC) aims to provide the over 70s with a choice of physical and creative activities which all have a direct connection with the Dragon's Tooth Golf Course - and in particular with the mystical Dragon Monkeys that live there. The over 70s and their volunteer 'buddies' will be involved in the design of a nature trail, they will contribute to the Dragon Monkey children story sheets and they will help with the design and making of the Dragon Monkey characters. The project aims to be self sustaining through sale of the Dragon Monkey items and associated fund raising activities.
Better Balmedie is a group of people who are working on a voluntary basis to improve our village. Currently we plant and tend bulbs, seeds and plants, build planters, run litter picks and a gardening club, and have plans for the future to grow and sell plants and vegetables and create a Community Garden. Although our group is for people of all ages, we have a particular focus on making gardening accessible to older people, improving paths and benches for older people and working with older people when they are no longer able to maintain their own gardens.
Northern Loops Intergenerational Knitting Programme brings seniors and young people together in a partnership of knitting for a social service project. Between actual meetings they stay in touch via Facebook. Their achievements are celebrated via Facebook and captured with the best patterns and stories in an annual publication, "Best of the Generations Knitting Wisdom".
The Hub will create new opportunities and activities to improve social interaction amongst older and younger people. There is a huge barrier between young people and older people in the area; the aim is that through the service will create an environment where the two groups can work together for mutual benefit.
Connecting the Generations is 3 teams who have joined as 1, from Angus, Dundee and Lanarkshire, to provide encouragement, confidence and a fun way for older people to learn about using the internet, computers and mobile phones. The aim is that older people enjoy happier and healthier lives, stay connected with friends and family, and that the teaching helps them be more confident through using technology.
For further information, please contact:
Graeme Downie, NESTA Communications Manager, Scotland & Northern Ireland on 07595 710856 or Ellie Murphy on 07990 548023
Jan Singleton in NESTA's Press Office on 020 7438 2606
The Challenge:
About NESTA
NESTA is an independent body with a mission to make the UK more innovative to drive economic recovery and solve some of the UK's major social challenges. Our endowment status means we operate at no cost to the UK taxpayer.
NESTA is a world leader in its field and is in a unique position to support innovation through a blend of practical programmes, policy and research and investment in early-stage companies. www.nesta.org.uk
NESTA has conducted research showing that the public is desperate to get involved in solving issues that affect them. "Public Services Inside Out" shows that people-powered public services could generate up to six times the investment made in them; "Mass Localism", published by NESTA in February 2010, outlines the ways in which policymakers can capitalise on the innovation which rests in local communities. NESTA has also conducted research into the contribution of over 50's to starting new businesses: 'The Grey Economy' shows how, as the population is getting older, the economic contribution of over 50's is also increasing. More people are working beyond statutory retirement age. And more of them are running their own businesses.
Age Unlimited
Age Unlimited sits within the NESTA Lab programme of activity in ageing. More information is available at www.nesta.org.uk/age-unlimited-scotland
More information on the NESTA Lab and other aspects of the work on ageing can be found at http://www.nesta.org.uk/areas_of_work/public_services_lab
T +44 (0)20 7438 2500
F +44 (0)20 7438 2501
Nesta Operating Company, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7706036 and charity number 1144091. Registered as a charity in Scotland number SC042833.
