Chit Chat group

An Age Friendly Group providing a meeting place for people to feel less isolated

Benefit 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	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Helping people age well	Taking Control of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester
Empowers people to take charge of their health	NHS Long Term Plan 2019
Enables people to live independently as they grow older	Manchester’s Self-Care Strategy
Creating an age-friendly city	Manchester Population Health Plan