By Karla White, Marketing and Communications Officer for Ageing Well Torbay
You can’t beat first-hand experiences and the powerful insights that they bring to the table. This is especially true when it comes to designing a better experience for later life. Here at the Torbay Community Development Trust, we firmly believe that through a collaborative effort we can reimagine what it means to have a good later life in Torbay.
Last year, a major part of a programme we deliver, Transform Ageing, was about taking first-hand experiences and using these as a basis to explore the challenges people face in later life. This unique programme combines social entrepreneurship and community action with design practices to help drive positive change.
We organised workshops as part of the programme, in which people over 50, public sector leaders and social entrepreneurs explored what people in later life need and want, what would improve their experience of ageing and what would make a difference to their day-to-day lives. Through these workshops, a handful of common challenges were identified and six ‘innovation briefs’ were drawn up detailing how each challenge could be addressed.
The Innovation Briefs are:
- Steps to a positive future – People in later life have positive experiences of ageing
- Mobility and transport – Enhancing independence and wellbeing through improved mobility
- Life Transitions – Supporting people to prepare for life changes
- Caring about carers – Supporting, valuing and celebrating carers
- Right information, right time – Making information accessible, relevant and meaningful
- Making connections – Creating opportunities for people in later life to connect with other people, communities and activities
As we enter March, a new round of applications is opening to find social entrepreneurs who could deliver new, innovative solutions to help transform ageing. We’re looking for people who are either actively improving life for people in later life, or someone who has new ideas and wants to explore their potential and turn them into action. You will need to demonstrate how your solution, project or proposed idea meets one or more of the innovation briefs, if you do, we would like to hear from you.
There are two types of award you can apply for, these are:
- Do It Awards are designed to help you turn your ideas into real ventures. You are provided with 1-to-1 support, connections to specialist advisors and funding. Grant awards of up to £5,000.
- Grow It Awards provide support to those who have proven their commitment and have successful ventures which are ready to grow or become self-sustaining. Grant awards of up to £15,000.
For an initial chat about the application process, you can contact Jess Slade – 01803 212638or email jessslade@torbaycdt.org.uk. More information can also be found at: https://www.torbaycdt.org.uk/core-work/transform-ageing/
Applications open on Monday 5 March 2018 and close on Monday 16 April 2018 (9am).
Transform Ageing is working with organisations in Devon, Somerset and Cornwall to deliver the programme locally. In Torbay, the local delivery partner is the Torbay Community Development Trust.
Transform Ageing is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and is being led by the Design Council in partnership with UnLtd, South West Academic Health Science Network and the Centre for Ageing Better.
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