Chit Chat group
An Age Friendly Group providing a meeting place for people to feel less isolatedBenefit of health networks
Age-friendly networks in local communities ensure good practice and good ideas are circulated from one area to another, and that all areas promote the idea of an age-friendly city. Taking part in the network empowers each member of the community to have greater control in their own health care.
Location
Withington Library
410 Wilmslow Road
M20 3BN
Project team
Cindy Ba, Withington Library
Sadie Roberts buzz Neighbourhood Health Worker.
Aim
Making people feel socially connected and less isolated
General discussion around health and everyday topics.
I did a stall around community questionnaires and health information at the library then had a meeting to see if we could work on a project together. The purpose of the group was 50+ Age Friendly where people could meet in a warm friendly space.
Testimonials:
“I met my friend one day who asked if I would go to the library as she had seen an advert for adults on a Wednesday, so we both went. There were different ages and circumstances and we soon became friends and looked forward to the weekly meetings. On meeting Sadie she was a breath of fresh air. She came up with new ideas, everyday chats games and we were about to have film shows when the virus happened. I hope when the library re-opens she can still bring her cheer back as everyone enjoyed her company.”
Evaluation
We have 8-10 people attending weekly, the success of the project is how well the group has shared and exchanged ideas and felt they had a place to meet and friendship developed.
By working together and in partnership with the library, community have developed tools using inclusion, isolation assets and community questionnaires
This group is on hold because of Covid-19.
Comfort calls are being made to everyone during the pandemic.
Strategic links to local/national policies
|
Benefit |
Policy |
|
Increased mental wellbeing |
|
|
Helping people age well |
Taking Control of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester |
|
Empowers people to take charge of their health |
|
|
Enables people to live independently as they grow older |
|
|
Creating an age-friendly city |
Research/evidence base
Mantovani et al (2017) Engaging communities to improve mental health in African and Afro-Caribbean groups: the role of wellbeing champions Health & Social Care in the Community 25 (1) 167-176
NESTA – By us, for us: the power of co-design and co-delivery
NIHR – Improving community health networks for people with severe mental illness
Contact
Sadie Roberts - Neighbourhood Health Worker
T: 07890 533 374
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