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What's going on?
This page is for sharing information about work undertaken by others around older learners.
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MILL: Money In Later Life
At Exeter Council for Voluntary Service we have started a pilot project
with the aim of giving voice to older people on the subject of finance and
the ethical values associated with finance. For example, people in this
age group are well-placed to compare and contrast today’s attitudes to
credit and debt with those of yesteryear. They are also able to report
first-hand on the issues arising out of the literature sent to them by
various financial institutions and government departments, including
leaflets about Pension Credit.
The core aim of MILL is to create a safe environment – coffee mornings for
example - in which older people feel able to talk about money: not
necessarily about their personal finances, but about the general topic as
it affects them. One of our volunteers, for example, has demonstrated to
us how she uses spreadsheets to make her shopping lists, linking them to
her household budget. Another has given heart to participants with her
account of how, with the help of family and friends, she slowly overcame
her reluctance to claim attendance allowance and council tax rebates.
As a result of discussions with older people there will be a body of
evidence showing how financial issues affect older people in their
everyday lives. A resulting publication may help government understand
some of the barriers at the grass roots faced by older people when dealing
with money. (2005)
Contact: MILL Project Tutor , Alan Gorman, Exeter Council for Voluntary
Service
Tel. 01392 206305
alan.gorman@exetercvs.org.uk
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SHARP Learning Partnership
Sherborne Area Providers of Learning - North West Dorset.
The aim of SHARP Learning is to provide access to courses from life skills to further learning, as well as offering high quality workforce training for local and rural businesses and helping to develop learning interests and opportunities within community groups. By participation with established providers of learning, SHARP Learning is planning to co-ordinate the provision for learning and identify gaps that need to be addressed.
SHARP Learning grew out of a joint initiative by members of local community and others as the direct result of the report commissioned by the Learning Skills Council into the learning needs of individuals and rural businesses in the Sherborne area. The lead was taken by the Gryphon School, and the SHARP initiative became part of their bid as it sought Specialist School Status in Business and Enterprise.
The SHARP Learning Manager, Lizzie Kingsbury is based at the Gryphon School in Sherborne, and is actively seeking to promote the role of the learning partnership within the community, and further develop contact with local support groups, businesses and community organisations in order to identify and address the learning needs of local people, community groups and businesses in the Sherborne area. (2005)
If you have any ideas or suggestions that would contribute to the development of SHARP Learning contact Lizzie Kingsbury at the Gryphon School on 01935 813122 or email lizzie.kingsbury@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk
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Learning For Life
Age Concern Norfolk noticed a gap in lifelong learning provision that meant older people are almost entirely excluded from mainstream opportunities. Funding was received from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) to undertake a piece of qualitative research into learning opportunities for older people in Norfolk during the winter of 2002. Helene Gregson was commissioned to conduct the research.
The resulting report, Learning For Life? A qualitative study of training opportunities for older people in Norfolk, published in January 2003, found that most opportunities do not fit the needs of older learners because providers are often restricted by criteria required by their funders. Helene Gregson concluded her report with a list of recommendations for improving the current service.
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Age Concern - Salisbury District
Training for older peoples’ consultation group gets under way
What happened?
During July and August 15 older people drawn from throughout the Salisbury District, attended an initial training event organised by Salisbury District Age Concern and delivered by Criterion Training Solutions.
The aim of the event was to help build confidence and skills enabling older people to become more involved in the decisions that affect their lives.
This was the first event of its kind known in Salisbury District area.
Why this training - now?
Age Concern Salisbury Chief Officer - Phyllis Dayes, said “ I am often asked for the views of older people on various subjects and wanted to get together groups of older people who would be willing to share their views with me and colleagues from the statutory services.”
However, it was felt that group members should be given the opportunity to get to know one another and develop the necessary confidence and skills required in putting their views forward.
Utilising the Voice & Choice training pack from Age Concern England, a bespoke 2 day training programme was developed.
Some funding from the local Primary Care Trust had been obtained to help facilitate these groups in the future.
A further group is planned and their training is set to take place during the autumn.
What did the training include?
The aim was to utilise and build on existing knowledge and skills within the group and to draw out that experience by discussion and activities that encourage participation by everyone.
During the 2 days group members had the opportunity to:
 | Get to know others in the group |
| Enhance their self-confidence and communication skills |
| Experience working in a group towards a shared goal |
| Put the knowledge and skills into practice through meeting with representatives from the statutory services |
What did members of the group say about the training experience?
Here are some of their responses:
Question: What have you gained from attending this training programme?
| Learning to work within a group, expressing opinions and to have the opportunity to speak. |
| Confidence to speak up! |
| Confidence in using the skills I was using when working, which had become very rusty. |
| Not to be intimidated or afraid to ask questions. |
| How to prepare, and the planning of it all. |
| How well people can get together in groups, and help to change things for the better. |
Question: What were the high points of the sessions for you?
| Seeing people who never had confidence or self worth, being able to express themselves in public. |
| Fervour in which each individual took part and their interest. |
| Discussions in our groups. |
| The groups ability to work so well together. |
| The mixing together of people, talking, exchanging views with the end result of “taking on” the professionals. |
| The relaxed way of building teams with fun and humour. |
| Being able to discuss problems faced by older people |
| To express our opinions individually. |
For further information:
For more details of this and other training events, please contact Gill Wheeler at Criterion Training Solutions. Tel: 07903 - 904571 or email: cts@eggconnect.net <mailto:cts@eggconnect.net>
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All Change Project
All Change uses the arts to promote social inclusion within social housing, education, health, social services and regeneration schemes. Our projects reach people of all ages and backgrounds - excluded young people and those at risk, disabled people, people with mental health issues, older people, people living in deprived neighbourhoods, refugee communities and asylum seekers.
| All Change has just published a booklet called '"Childhood Memories" the book is the product of an intergenerational arts project with two older people's day centres and two primary schools in North London. All Change's artists worked with the clients at the day centres to recount their memories of childhood, these stories are from around the globe. |  |
During the project participants were able to reminisce, talking freely and giving honest responses about events and memories from their lives. Some participants found it difficult to talk about the past, yet every one enjoyed sharing their unique life experiences. These personal stories are all amazing but some reflect sad and hard times.
The children participating at the Primary schools were provided with an opportunity to explore the differences between the generations. The children compared their childhood's with those of the older people. The project discovered that the majority of older people cherished their past and expressed the desire to re-live their youth. In contrast, not one of the children wanted to go back in time and trade the present for the past.
| If you would like further information about this project, please call Gurpreet Sidhu, Office and Projects Manager, All Change: 020 7689 4646. |
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EQUAL Project
Life Long Learning and Active Ageing through community based Sheltered Housing. A process for community regeneration, employability, and social cohesion.
The Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies (CSHS) has been successful in a bid under the EQUAL European funding initiative to develop a national project that promotes community regeneration through sheltered housing. EQUAL is a major European initiative to enhance opportunities in the labour market and promote life long learning in disadvantaged communities.
The CSHS-led project will develop and pilot innovative models that support life long learning and community regeneration through active participation of sheltered housing residents, staff, and volunteers. The project will aim to demonstrate how, through processes such as skills transfer and mentoring, the experiences and values of older people can contribute to sustainable communities and enhance opportunities for younger currently unemployed people to enter the labour market. Sheltered housing schemes are frequently at the heart of disadvantaged communities and provide an excellent resource for stimulating community regeneration and social inclusion. Intergenerational community-based activity, of which there are many models already in existence in sheltered housing can, among other benefits, provide a non-threatening environment for those socially excluded groups that find more traditional processes of learning unacceptable.
The project is sponsored by an initial core partnership led by the Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies. The partnership includes the NIACE, the Chartered Institute of Housing, Age Concern (England), Help the Aged, and EROSH - The National Consortium for Sheltered Housing. Representatives from these organisations form the project Steering Group. It is a national project, piloting innovative practice through a number of local initiatives focusing on disadvantaged communities in a variety of regions. Each local initiative will reflect the nature of the community in which it is based. Overall the project will:
| Develop and test the use of new learning environments, including those located in sheltered housing schemes, in enhancing life long learning |
| Develop and test approaches to the recruitment and training of volunteers and mentors from residents, staff and the wider community to support life long learning |
| Develop and test approaches to enhancing informal and community learning through an intergenerational transfer of skills |
| Develop learning materials to promote sustainable communities and support the role of older people in regeneration |
| Support and promote equal opportunities for marginalised groups including lone parents, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities to improve their access into the labour market |
| Promote and develop the role of intergenerational learning in tackling wider social exclusion |
| Research best practice and case studies for active ageing and skill transfer, test methodology and evaluate processes |
| Seek transnational co-operation in the interchange of best practice and dissemination of process outcomes |
| Devise a National Framework of Good Practice that identifies key criteria and models for sheltered housing schemes in supporting life long learning and community regeneration. |
Empowerment will be at the core of the project, and the community within which each local project is placed will be encouraged to take ownership of the process.
These innovations are based on analysis of strategies and research into life long learning’s role in enhancing social inclusion, and the potential role of elderly people and intergenerational learning in making a positive contribution to regeneration strategies.
The project will invite further support from key national organisations concerned with sheltered housing, life long learning, social inclusion and the elderly to ensure every opportunity is taken to bring in best practice. This will mean that results can be rapidly disseminated into mainstream policy and operational practice on a UK wide basis.
The local pilot initiatives:
Seven local initiatives focusing on disadvantaged communities have been
chosen as pilot projects by the Steering Group. Each reflects the nature of the
community in which it is based, and each in its different way will implement the
thinking behind the overall initiative through supporting regeneration, skills
transfer, intergenerational/lifelong learning and improving prospects for local
employment. Older people are at the centre of the process in each case, and the
sheltered housing schemes provide a focal point for activities involving the
wider community The local projects will be funded for a period of 2 years from
July 2002.
Charter Housing in Wales plan to expand their already successful ‘Charter Seniors’ special interest group for older people, which involves older people both within and outside sheltered housing in the area. There will be a focus on intergenerational learning and skills transfer between older and younger people - young parents in particular. Sheltered schemes will be the focus for a range of community and learning activities.
County Palatine in Wigan aims to involve older residents of sheltered housing in improving the lifeskills and employablity of young people in the area. Initiatives will include the joint production of a newsletter (improving basic literacy skills), plus childcare training and training in minor repairs skills. The older people will support the young people undertaking training through a process of mentoring and skills transfer, and the communal areas of some of the sheltered schemes will provide a base for activities.
Touchstone Housing Association in Coventry will support sheltered housing residents to set up and maintain a volunteer programme which aims to develop skills transfer between the residents and the local community, with the older people themselves ultimately leading the programme. The common room will be a focus for community activities and the project will take place in liaison with the local college and Age Concern group among others.
Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change, a resident-led charitable community development organisation aims to liaise between older social housing residents, both in sheltered housing and outside, and the wider community, enabling older people to contribute to their community through community arts initiatives, reminiscence and local history projects. The initiative aims to consolidate links between older people and the range of statutory and voluntary initiatives taking place in the area. Sheltered housing schemes will be a focal point in which activities for all ages can take place.
Thames Reach Bondway in London will offer opportunities for members of two extremely marginalised groups (recovering alcoholics and ex- homeless) to have access to employment opportunities, as well as offering opportunities for volunteer training to the residents and other local people through a gardening project linked with a café in the supported accommodation.
ASRA Wolverhampton - Blakenhall Community Enterprise project will involve Asian elders and other black and minority ethnic members of the local community in a series of training initiatives and exchange of skills, centred around a local sheltered housing scheme, and involving a local college and other Asian community groups.
LB Hounslow plan to use a sheltered housing scheme as a base from which to promote learning opportunities - primarily in child care - leading to employment for members of the local community, with sheltered housing residents acting as volunteers in facilitating and mentoring these activities, and the scheme as a base from which the training will be delivered.
An EQUAL Project Team will be appointed which will work with the projects in a support and co-ordination role, ensuring the overall project objectives are met. The local pilot initiatives are already supported by their sponsoring organisations but further support, advice and guidance will be given by the EQUAL project staff, who will liaise with and between all the local initiatives, enabling them to develop mutual support networks. The project staff will take the lead on promoting and disseminating the good practice and learning points from all the local initiatives to a wide audience during the life of the project.
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Age Concern Calderdale IT Project
Over 70 people attended a celebration in the Mayor's Parlour at Halifax Town Hall on 22 March 2002 to mark the end of a successful year of introducing information technology to older people and setting up a reminiscence archive.
Over the last year Age Concern Calderdale's IT Project has brought a taste of the new technology to over 130 older people in Day Care, Activity and Community Centres. IT Project co-ordinator Lynne Houlden and volunteers have provided taster courses for members of the Polish and Asian communities in West Central Halifax, as well as frail and active older people throughout Calderdale.
The celebration and exhibition was to say both 'well done' and 'thank you' to all the project participants, volunteers, Centre staff and all others involved. Age Concern's Active Befriending, Local Link and Day Care Services have helped to develop links with the community, course participants and potential volunteers. Thanks also to our funders the Adult and Community Learning Fund, and to NIACE for their guidance and support.
The Hebden Bridge Local History section of the Literary & Scientific Society, and the Charlestown History Group provided pictures used in some of the reminiscence booklets which were on show.
A very special vote of thanks goes out to IT Project and all other Age Concern Calderdale volunteers on behalf of staff and clients. To ensure that we continue to provide a quality service we will shortly be recruiting volunteers to help with this (and other) projects. Volunteers are invaluable to all community projects.
Older people's initial reaction was often "Computers are not for me", but once they had a go most were enchanted with what they could get the computer to produce. The reminiscence booklets, cards, calendars, photos, a Punjabi/Urdu CD, emails and web information on show were a small part of their hundreds of pieces of work. The sense of achievement and satisfaction experienced by participants has been an even more valuable outcome of the project.
Calderdale's older people have proudly demonstrated that 'You're never too old to learn something new'. Taking part in learning can help to keep us healthy, active and fulfilled. Age Concern Calderdale would welcome ideas and suggestions from older people about what sort of activities they would like to be involved in.
Although we have come to the end of this, Phase 2 of the IT project, even greater things are to come over the next year. Through New Opportunities Funding, Age Concern Calderdale will be setting up 10 UK Online Centres in sheltered housing and residential homes and at our headquarters at Park Road. Older people will be able to learn what computers can do for them, find out about the Internet, contact friends and family both locally and throughout the world. They will also, no doubt, surprise the younger generation.
Caption: Age Concern Calderdale IT Project
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National Trust Pre-Retirement Pack for employers and course organisers
The National Trust has recently launched a pre-retirement pack in East Anglia, aimed at encouraging over 50s to consider volunteering as an option in retirement. The pack is designed to give information about volunteering to employers and course organisers and includes several leaflets which can be given to those about to retire. The leaflet contains information about opportunities available through the National Trust as well as other agencies who can help with volunteering.
For further details contact Pat Cassidy, Development Officer, The National Trust, The Dairy House, Ickworth, Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE Tel. 01284 735000
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Threepenny Opera
1st Framework and English National Opera Baylis Programme present - Threepenny Opera Berlin/London intergenerational Lifelong Learning exchange.
In 2001 intergenerational groups from five London boroughs came together to create a touring version of Brecht's famous tale of London's Low Life. The cast, most with no previous experience, were coached by a team of young professional artists. The project was an innovative collaboration between arts education charity 1st Framework (previous awards include 1st Prize European Year of Lifelong Learning and Londoners of The Year) and English National Opera's Baylis Programme North Southwark residency. It is the latest in a long line of intergenerational touring projects developed in liaison with the Mary Ward Centre in London. The furthest intergenerational tour so far has been Australia as part of 1999 International Year of Older People. The projects aim to provide access and participation for older people and invaluable work experience for young people in creative industries. The Threepenny Opera project was planned and managed via an intranet provided by The Community Action Network on computers provided by Sainsbury's. After four months rehearsal at ENO's studios the project toured. For three months the intergenerational team toured giving workshops and performances in a series of unusual locations across London.
The intergenerational team continue their project in 2002 with an ambitious London/Berlin exchange. The aim is to develop Opera outreach programmes in Berlin and integrated arts/education/environmental programmes in housing estates in London. The Threepenny Opera intergenerational teams will share skills while making a practical performance project together. Berlin, a reunited city, has four large opera houses yet up to now very little 'outreach' work has done. Whereas in London the Baylis Education/Outreach Programme at English National Opera reaches communities everywhere. The Threepenny Opera exchange provides an opportunity for Berliners to consider ways of developing outreach in Opera Houses. It provides Londoners with an opportunity to work as guest artists within Berlins unique 'UFA Fabrik'. An award winning 'Kultur Zentrum' which provides adult education, school, housing, artists studios, organic shop, cafe, cinema, farm and several performance spaces. UFA is run entirely on 'green' energy and located in the famous Berlin film studios, which produced many classic of German Cinema including Marlene Dietrich's Blue Angel. It is a model regeneration project owned managed and run by artists.
To help the groups prepare for their next German exchange in March at the Kurt Weill Festival, Morley College is running German course which covers language, history and singing. The next opportunity to see Threepenny Opera in England will be May 9th at the NIACE Adult Learners Week conference 'Arts and Its Role In Regeneration' where it will be introduced by keynote speaker Tessa Jowell Minister of State for the Arts. In the evening there will be a cabaret version of Threepenny Opera at Morley College.
Time Out: 'Peter Avery's production was utterly compelling, a remarkable performance in an unforgettable location. If the project does tour to Berlin I for one will certainly be there to see it.' To keep up with the project go to www.1stframework.org
The first Threepenny Opera exchange took place in Berlin during November as
part of the European Netd@ys Festival, which is a Europe wide e-learning
festival particularly in favour of developing European Cultural life via
technology.
Caption: 'Joan Godfrey and Merle Jones perform as Mack The Knife's gang in Threepenny Opera. The performance took place in the vast underground vaults of London's Bishopsgate Goods Yard'