Ageing Well Challenge

Ageing Well Challenge

What was the Ageing Well Challenge?

The Ageing Well Challenge looked for ideas to improve the lives of older people by reducing social isolation or increasing mobility. It was one of two Giving Challenges funded by the Home Office and designed and delivered by Challenge Works to stimulate social innovation in the giving of time, skills and resources to tackle two distinct social issues: reducing isolation of older people and reducing waste.

Why did we do this?

Our research shows life expectancies are increasing by an average of five hours a day, but innovation hasn’t kept up with this change. There’s a big gap between what really matters to older people’s health and wellbeing (things like: having meaningful connections with others, remaining independent, and having a sense of purpose through work or volunteering) and the priorities of existing services.

We need radical new approaches to cater for our ageing population, which make better use of the resources within communities, to help us all age better.

What happened?

  • The Challenge launched in September 2012.
  • 24 semi-finalists were supported to develop detailed plans.
  • Five finalists were awarded funding of up to £10,000, as well as non-financial support, to set up and test their projects over a six-month period in 2013.

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Contact Us

This challenge prize was funded and delivered in partnership with

  • Home Office logo

More than a prize

Impact of the Challenge

  • Over 20 events were held which involved 120 older givers/volunteers participating in programme activities
  • Over 600 other community members were directly involved in giving and other engagement opportunities
  • Over 1,000 community beneficiaries
  • £40,000 in additional funding was secured by the two finalists
  • A £50,000 continuation grant was provided to the two two runners-up by the Pargiter Trust in partnership with Nesta.

Qualitative findings also demonstrated that

  • Older people felt less isolated
  • Beneficiaries improved their confidence; building friendships and a sense of pride in local community
  • The challenge created a sense of belonging amongst beneficiaries, volunteers and givers
  • Older people felt like part of a generation that still have an important role to play in the community.

Winner – NANA

Four women from Nana, the older people's cafe, smiling holding a framed certificate from the Ageing Well Challenger.

A comfort food and community café run by older ladies from the local area. For older ladies it’s a chance to get out of the house, meet new people, and put their skills to good use, and for everyone else it’s a place to enjoy proper hearty home cooked food at a reasonable price.

The finalists

Who were the challenge judges?

Learn more in this challenge’s impact report