Our society has an ageing population, and we are facing the implications that this brings.
In Scotland, as in the majority of European countries, the Registrar General predicts that the numbers of older people in Scotland will rise considerably between 2006 and 2031. This brings associated issues - income generation beyond 'retirement' or redundancy, being seen as a valued member of society post-retirement, and for our elderly citizens, the threat of social isolation.
The Government's overarching strategy, 'Reshaping the Future Care of Older People', places prevention of social isolation as a critical dimension to preventing other age-related conditions and affording a more prosperous third age for all. This will contribute to the Scottish Government's strategic objectives of achieving Sustainable Economic Growth for Scotland.
Age Unlimited Scotland
As a response to this challenge, NESTA is committed to working with older social entrepreneurs in Scotland over a two year pilot programme. We aim to stimulate entrepreneurial activity in individuals/small teams of people in their 50s and 60s, by giving them the support and seed-funding to develop their good ideas for new services that tackle the issue of social isolation in people in their later years and encourage them to age well.
We are keen to support ideas which have the potential to reduce social isolation in the older population by creating new types of services and could:
• Be scaled and replicated, this is particularly important in the light of Scottish local authorities' expanded role and ability now to choose how to provide services.
• Save the public purse by offering services that are more cost-effective, or for which clients would be willing to pay a small amount.
• Are genuinely innovative and do not duplicate what is already in the community.
Programme of Support
Through the first year programme in 2010, we have supported 15 new social entrepreneurs through training, support, coaching and up to £2,000 prototype funding to help turn their ideas into working ventures. On completion of the programme the ventures presented their idea to a panel of experts for the opportunity to gain up to £8,000 of grant funding and will receive follow-on aftercare support.
The 15 ventures are great examples of how practical ideas developed by individuals/small teams can support older people in local communities and tackle one of Scotland’s biggest challenges.
If you would like to be added to the register of interest list for applying to the 2011 programme please contact us on: 01382 229521 or email ageunlimitedinscotland@nesta.org.uk and we will email you when the programme reopens for application.