The Basics of Being Age Friendly Training

Aim

This training is targeted at groups and organisations looking to develop new ways of working to improve access for older residents within communities.

The aim of the training is to challenge stigmas around ageing, improve knowledge around the World Health Organisation's recommendations when building age friendly communities, and encourage attendees to think about their own inclusive practice and improvements that could be made for older people accessing their group/service.

The training has been designed using the expertise of our https://buzzmanchester.co.uk/a... and https://buzzmanchester.co.uk/a... , https://www.who.int/ , https://secure.manchester.gov.... and older residents themselves.

Location

Citywide

Benefits of Promoting Equality and Diversity

Promoting equality and diversity helps build strong, trusting relationships within communities. People feel safe, less isolated and more able to actively contribute to decisions about the community. It can have positive impacts on employment and the local economy. Valuing diverse experiences can help develop unique and innovative solutions which are specific to the community. Workplaces that promote equality and diversity see increases in productivity, creativity, problem solving and revenue.

Benefits of learning new skills

Keep learning is one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing, five evidence-based actions which can improve personal wellbeing. Adults engaged in lifelong learning are more likely to be healthier, have better mental health and be more social connected. They are also more likely to participate in the community and decisions concerning the community. Learning new skills increases individuals’ employability, supporting the economic growth of the community. Adults involved in learning are more likely to be involved in their children’s education, helping them learn and raise attainment.

Evaluation

During the autumn of 2021 buzz Manchester Health & Wellbeing Services’ Age Friendly team delivered 3 online training sessions to 38 people from a range of health, social care, and community-based organisations.

People who attended said that the training was engaging, and that it made them challenge the way they thought about how they delivered their services.

We will be delivering this training again as part of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Recovery Academy in 2022.

Project Team

buzz Manchester Health & Wellbeing Service

Strategic links to local/national policies (Promoting Equality and Diversity)

Research/evidence base

Ambition for Ageing (2020) - A Toolkit for Inclusion in Practice

Community Toolbox - Building Inclusive Communities

Disability Rights UK (2014) - Inclusive communities: A research report

Good Things Foundation (2018) - How we build inclusive communities

Manchester City Council - Equality Objectives 2020 - 24

World Economics Foundation (2019) - The business case for diversity in the workplace is now overwhelming

Strategic links to local/national policies (Learning new skills)

Research/evidence base

Duckworth, K. and Cara, O. (2012) The Relationship between Adult Learning and Wellbeing:

Evidence from the 1958 National Child Development Study.

Feinstein, L., Budge, D., Vorhaus, J. and Duckworth, K. (2008). The social and personal benefits

of learning: A summary of key research findings

Foresight, Government Office for Science (2017) - What are the wider benefits of learning across the life course?

New Economics Foundation (2008) – Five ways to wellbeing

NIACE (2011) - Social value of adult learning for community empowerment.

Contact

Yasmin Holgeth – Age Friendly Neighbourhood Health Worker

Mob. 07425 536823

Yasmin.Holgeth@gmmh.nhs.uk