THE £6million Ageing Better in Birmingham programme due to finish in March 2021 has been extend for another year thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The programme was set up in 2015 to improve the lives of people aged over 50 by addressing loneliness and developing creative ways they can be actively involved in their local communities.
Because of the pandemic, projects and activities that was due to take place in 2020 couldn’t go ahead as planned.
The additional year will allow the programme to allow for some of these activities to go ahead, and to share learning about what works when it comes to engaging with people over 50 who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
So far, more than 9,000 people have been involved in activities across Birmingham with 60 per cent feeling less lonely.
Vimla Dodds, aged 64, a member of the coproduction cohort that helps steer the direction of the programme, said: “This couldn’t come at a better time.
“I’ve seen the difference the programme has made to people across communities and it’s been sad to see the pandemic force some people back into isolation. Having another year of the programme will make a huge difference.”
During the spring and summer, Ageing Better in Birmingham supported local citizens to keep connecting by funding socially distanced activities such as online lunch clubs, Zoom choirs and theatre workshops, gardening, activity packs and walking groups.
Emma Ackerman, deputy director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are delighted to be able to give further funding to the Ageing Better partnerships in England thanks to support from National Lottery players.”
Ageing Better in Birmingham is part of Ageing Better, a programme set up by The National Lottery Community Fund, and aims to develop creative ways for people aged over 50 to be actively involved in their local communities, helping to combat social isolation and loneliness.
To get in touch with the organisation, call 0121 643 4343 or visit www.ageingbetterinbirmingham.co.uk
