Can you help us encourage others in Birmingham to reach out to people who are isolated and lonely in our city? We think it's fantastic that people in Birmingham are committed to helping each other out to and connecting with those who haven't got anyone they can speak to. We want ...
Stories
On 7 October 2020, we talked to BBC WM about how our programme has helped people through the pandemic. Listeners also heard from Cindy who used to enjoy being on her own, living with social anxiety and avoiding large crowds. She's a member of a group called St Martin's Friends which is fun...
In order to control the virus, and because of the rising number of cases Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull became 'areas of intervention' on the 15 September. This means that residents cannot meet with people from outside their households. To support community groups to keep connecti...
Sam Julius, Community Project Coordinator for our Age of Experience coproduction cohort shares her thoughts. Sam works at Groundwork West Midlands, a partner organisation to BVSC who helps deliver the Ageing Better in Birmingham programme. Like all good things...
I wonder if any ladies (and possibly men) remember a mysterious place known as 'A bottom drawer'. Apart from the obvious that is! Well, young ladies used to keep items, often of a practical nature, such as, linens, utensils and household items, towards a possible marriage. It was probably something ...
Birmingham businesses which "prioritise and support carers" across the city are being encouraged to take part in an annual awards programme. For the second year running, Forward Carers has launched the Carer Friendly Business Awards in a bid to make Birmingham the country's first 'carer friendly cit...
They say that the experience of owning a dog is quite unique and very different to other relationships, a life affirming friendship that promotes physical and mental wellbeing - something that has become even more important in these times of pandemic lockdown and personal isolation. We spoke to Gina...
Sharda, our newest Age of Experience member, shares her experience of being in lock-down Hi! My name is Sharda Lavingia and I am a full-time carer for my partner and also a mindfulness trainer. I'm in my 60s and my partner and I have both been shielding during the last few months because ...
Carers Week runs from 8th to 14th June 2020 and because of the COVID-19 crisis it is a little different from normal because it remains impossible to run events and activities which involve people meeting together in a physical place. Many carers we have spoken to during this time have emphasise...
Restrictions won't stop members of Birmingham-based group keeping connections going. Members of Yardley Ventures Craft Group, a community arts group based in Stechford, East Birmingham, usually meet every Tuesday at Stechford Baptist Church. However, the COVID-19 ...
This Carers Week - The Ageing Better Carers Hub writes about their response to Covid-19, and how they are supporting carers who live in Birmingham. For many carers this has been a particularly difficult time as they try to maintain their caring support to loved ones. It has been&nbs...
People involved with Ageing Better in Birmingham share their experiences of living in lock-down. Jeraldene: Jeraldene is one of our Age of Experince group members. She says: "I am aching a lot because I'm sitting so much but apart from that I am doing well." The social distancing me...
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...
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...