Age Unlimited Scotland FAQs

Here we answer all of your frequently asked questions about Age Unlimited Scotland.

When is the closing date?
The closing date for submitting your application is midnight on 7th February 2011.

What happens after I apply?
We will let you know as soon as possible if you have been allocated a place on one of our workshops. We have up to 100 places available and want to make sure we have a good mix of people and ideas at each workshop. If you want to take part in our programme you have to participate in one of these workshops.

Where and when will the workshops be held?
We will run the workshops on the following dates and locations:
Aberdeen on Wednesday 23rd February 2011; Inverness on Thursday 24th February 2011; Edinburgh on Friday 25th February 2011; Dundee on Saturday 26th February 2011; Glasgow on Monday 28th February 2011

Choose the date and location that suits you best. It is a condition of our programme that you attend one of these workshops. Please note these dates are available subject to demand.

I am not able to attend the workshop dates, can I still apply?
No, we need you to attend one of the workshops in February to make the best application possible. If you are applying as a team of 2 or more, please note that a maximum of 2 people will be able to attend the workshops in February.

How do I get my travel expenses reimbursed?
We will pay you up to £25 to cover your travel expenses for attending a workshop.  This will be paid in cash at the workshop on production of a receipt (bus/train/taxi ticket).

What sort of people are you looking to apply to the programme?
We are looking for people who are:

• in their 50s and 60s and living in Scotland,
• have an idea for a new community or social venture that could benefit their community,
• team players - people willing to share ideas and to work collaboratively,
• understanding of the issues involved, you do not have to be an expert.
• have the time to take part. We start with a one day workshop in February and then we will work with you and your venture fairly intensively between March and June 2010 where you will be expected to attend a workshop every 2-3 weeks.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled older people and older people who come from the BME community.

I am over your age limit – can I still apply?

Yes, we will review your application based on its merits.

I am not yet 50, can I apply?

We prefer to accept applications from people who are approaching retirement or redundancy themselves, so if you fit this category we will still accept your application and assess it on its merits.

I am not living in Scotland, can I apply?

No, you need to be living in Scotland to be eligible to apply.

Can more than one person apply/Can I apply as a team?

Yes, we are happy for applications to come from individuals or from teams formed from friends/work colleagues/family members etc. It is a condition of the application that at least one person, or up to a maximum of two people from the team attends at one of the workshops in February, although only one team member will be able to attend the full programme.

I applied to Age Unlimited Scotland last year, can I apply again this year?

If you previously applied for Age Unlimited Scotland but did not take part in the full programme and did not receive funding, then you are welcome to re-apply. If you took part in the full Age Unlimited Scotland programme and/or received funding from Age Unlimited Scotland, you are ineligible to apply.

How much money is available to support my venture?

On completion of the programme, each venture can pitch their idea to an panel for up to £10,000. This will be payable in instalments based on milestones for the venture and awarded on a competitive basis.

What can the money be used for?

Anything to move the idea from a concept to a working idea would be justified. This could include setting the venture up and testing it in the community, travel/volunteer expenses, room hire, specialist equipment etc.

What can the money not be used for?

Our grant funding is aimed at developing new services, we cannot fund building acquisitions or capital investments; nor can we fund an participant’s time through salary or wage.

What if I have an idea but it isn’t very formed, can I still apply?

Yes, we will work with you during the first workshop in February to refine your idea and think about your potential customers/clients and what makes the idea innovative.

What happens to my idea? Will it still belong to me or will NESTA own it?

You will continue to own the idea, we will take no ownership of your venture. It is a condition of your application that you agree to talk about your idea in the workshop and allow us to publicise your idea when the time is right. Your application to us will remain confidential.

Does my idea have to be a business idea?

We are looking for ideas that have 'social good'. This could mean the idea stays as a community project or it could be a commercial venture where you charge for your service. We will encourage you to think of ways to make your idea sustainable, but it does not have to be a ‘business’ idea.

Does my idea have to involve technology?

No. Your idea has to improve the local community, but this doesn't have to involve technology.

What sort of ideas are you looking for?

We are looking for ideas that could be tested in your local area and have the potential to be scaled up and run across other parts of Scotland and the rest of the UK. We are looking for ideas that are genuinely new and innovative. We don't want ideas that are already being run in the community or duplicate existing services. For examples of the kinds of ideas we are looking for, have a look at our case studies from last year’s programme.

I am an organisation, can I apply?

Age Unlimited Scotland is for individuals, therefore constituted organisations such as public bodies, charities and social enterprises are not eligible.

I don’t need any training or support, I just need the grant award, can I still apply?

No, the programme will involve training, mentoring and support as well as perhaps some grant funding. We believe it's a complete process to make your idea as robust and sustainable as possible - it's not just about the cash.

How do you select the ideas and the people?

We are looking for ideas that are innovative and new, that have the potential to improve communities in Scotland and that could potentially be scaled and replicated across Scotland. We are looking for people who have skills and experience and understanding of the needs of their local community, who are team players and willing to collaborate and share in our vision. We will involve a range of partners from the charitable and voluntary sectors, local and national government in our funding selection to ensure we fund the best ideas.

Our application form and guidance notes give full details of our selection criteria.

Please also read our Terms and Conditions before completing your application.