Susan, one of our Age of Experience members, shares her thoughts about being in lock-down so far. I have been keeping busy and a daily routine has evolved which includes working on the house and in the garden. I am in the middle of renovating my house and during this lock-down I have...
Stories
How Birmingham based InteGreat Theatre are maintaining togetherness in these challenging times Loneliness and isolation are increasingly challenging for people while our country is in lock-down. Is there a solution? Well, there is one word that we often use when referring to a group of peo...
For millions of older people in the UK the current health crisis, caused by the Covid-19 virus, is creating feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and isolation. Keeping safe and well means staying indoors and minimising contact with neighbours, carers and loved ones. But avoiding close contact with other...
Over the last month we have seen a lot of changes to the way we live, work and move around our community. It is a challenging time and we don't yet know how long we will be in this situation for. One thing we are sure about, however, is that local residents, neighbours of all ages and all...
It's quite surreal at the moment, people avoiding each other, wearing masks.... some places are like a ghost town. Christine Turley-Cooper, 70 In these unprecedented and challenging times, it is heartening to see how local people over 50 are adapting to new ways of being and doing. In th...
Sometimes in our busy day to day lives when there is lots going on around us, it's hard to find time to just sit, chat and get to know others in our community. But, when we do make the effort to take time out, it's quite amazing what we can find out about other people's life history and their person...
Maria Mleczko, one of our Age of Experience members, writes about her experiences of using public transport: "My experiences on public transport – from an older adult with long term disabilities" I am aware that this piece of writing may not resonate with everyone, but if I assist in giving ju...
Richard, one of our Age of Experience members, writes beautifully about daffodils. Or really, he writes about life, about connections and feeding your soul. We hope you enjoy, the poem that follows. Daffodils I read this tapestry the other day. If you have two loaves of bread: Give one to...
"We are looking for solutions that make the environment more inclusive for people over 50 who live here and we do that by working with Tyburn people of all ages." Ridhi Kalaria, Community Engagement Officer, Sustrans Sustrans, a charity that helps create places that are walkable and cycle-frien...
Have a moan, you're not alone. Waiting on the bus can be an excellent opportunity to chat to others. Diane, our guest blogger and one of our Age of Experience members* is writing about the value of connecting with people when we're out an about. Hello! I've always enjoyed a good chat. Sharing...
Turkey in the oven Brussels on the hob - Yeuk! Carols on the telly Roasties almost cooked. Crackers on the table Knives and forks for all; Bang! The power's gone again Give the Electric Board a call! Everyone fed and watered: Nan's time for an afternoon nap. "Fancy a game of Ludo, dad?" "No a walk: ...
"We need to get more services back into our local communities particularly for older people." Angela Richards Angela Richards, member of our Age of Experience group, shares her thoughts about her involvement in the programme. I do a lot of volunteering with various organisations in Birmingham and th...
Cultural perspectives can have a huge effect on our experience of getting older. Robert Cummins Robert Cummins, one of our Age of Experience group members, writes about his thoughts about ageing and how it is perceived differently in different cultures. Robert is an avid traveller and a recent trip...
In October this year, members of Camden's Ageing Better programme, Ageing Better in Camden, based in St Pancras and Somers Town travelled all the way to our great city to meet with their peers from Birmingham, members of the co-production group who are calling themselves "Age of Exper...
With BVSC launching the search for a provider to deliver the final project in the LGBT strand of the Ageing Better in Birmingham programme, we look at some of the issues affecting older LGBT adults when accessing, or in, care settings and our aspiration for the Changing Practice in Adult Social Care...
"Without the support of the workers and the introductions I would have no contact with the outside world from one week to another." Bernard, over 70 from Tyburn, Birmingham This is the story of Bernard Green, a man in his 70s from Birmingham who, by caring for his elderly mother and having had knee ...
"I felt more confident and want to do more. It's important to me that I keep active and I want to help others." Shazia, 50 from Sparkhill Shazia is 50 and lives in Sparkhill, Birmingham, together with her husband and two children, a son and daughter. She used to feel unhappy and very isolated, but t...
Local Brummies share their best tips for small talk, and pledge to start conversations with neighbours and people they don't already know. The Make Someone's Day campaign focus on making Birmingham a friendlier city by encouraging citizens to start conversations with people they meet when ...
Back in July, 150 people aged 50+ travelled far and wide to come together in Sheffield and celebrate 'Ageing Better'. People from across 14 areas of England came together at Sheffield City Hall to share skills, stories and experiences of growing older. Ageing Better participants...
By 2020, almost 57,000 people aged 65 plus will be living alone in Birmingham, increasing their risk of being isolated. These proportions are higher than the England and regional figures. Recent studies suggest that feeling alone and isolated can contribute towards stress, low self-esteem, disturbe...