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We run a combination of daycentre and outreach services and activities across the borough of Southwark to increase the health and wellbeing of isolated older people.

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Categories

  • Community Support & Development Community Support & Development
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Beneficiaries

    • Older People Older People

    Situation

    People living in the London Borough of Southwark experience a high level of health problems, related to the Borough position as the 8th most deprived in the country. For many older people, poverty, isolation, poor diet and nutrition lead to a range of health issues, these include heart disease, high blood pressure, mobility issues, Alzheimer’s and a number of mental health conditions. There are services operating in the borough for older people, but only Age Concern in Southwark runs a focused Healthy Ageing programme and support services including: Day Centre programmes, Community Care Support Services, MacMillian Palliative Care, Homecare services, Trading Services, Partnerships for Older Peoples Services (POPPs) and a BME Information and Advice Service Support for Healthy Aging: ACLS funding support for our Healthy Ageing work in North Southwark Healthy Aging Centre (Bermondsey) and South Southwark Healthy Aging outreach sites. Our projects provide a range of vital activities that have become integrated into the lives of older people in Southwark. We urgently need to source funds to allow these activities to continue for the health, happiness and wellbeing of our service users. These projects are valued greatly by older people – many of whom have been isolated in their homes with little stimulation or company for years. Margaret’s Story When Margaret first started coming to the North Southwark Healthy Aging Centre she was extremely shy and introverted, having recently lost her partner. She is partially disabled and doesn’t have the use of her left arm. When she first came to the Centre she would sit in the corner of the day room and cry if people tried to talk to her. With support and encouragement from other service users, Margaret gradually started to become involved in various activities such as line dancing and playing cards. One of the service users constructed a special wooden box to assist her card-playing. Now, according to one of the volunteers, she is the life and soul of the Centre. Healthy Ageing prevents many problems associated with ageing and poverty through a diverse range of activities that enable social interaction, exercise and help develop skills to improve quality of life. The Day Centres also provide opportunity for older people to eat together, serving home cooked nutritious lunches and providing the opportunity to develop companionship. Through funding assistance, we can continue to improve awareness of and access to nutritious and healthy food. Healthy Aging Activities Include: OTAGO exercise classes Flower Arranging Line Dancing Bingo Smoking Cessation classes IT and Computer Classes Arts and Crafts, Painting and Drawing Day trips (Seaside, museums) Dance and Music Therapy Summer Barbeques The OTAGO exercise class has been proven to increase lung capacity and suppleness, decrease blood pressure, improve levels of mobility and balance, and decrease the incidence of falls and injuries. Dance and Music Therapy uses the therapeutic qualities of movement and sound to ease tension and create expression. It is beneficial for older people experiencing depression and anxiety. Currently over a hundred people benefit from our Southwark projects on a daily basis. With your help we could continue to provide and expand the opportunities we currently provide for older people to take steps to remain mentally and physically healthy and active, leading to an enjoyable later life. We are already engaged in working in partnership with BME groups within Southwark and actively encourage participation in healthy living activities. This helps to break down cultural barriers and enable access to other relevant services available, like Information and Advice. Looking Forward: Our Healthy Aging programme is currently running many activities, but due to funding shortages it is under threat. With extra funds we would be able to sustain and enrich the programme for years to come, continuing to give older people an alternative to living in urban isolation.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Community Support & Development Community Support & Development
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Beneficiaries

    • Older People Older People