Health & Wellbeing for Older People

Shaheen Bi Insight & Projects Manager, Sporting Equals

Inclusive policy and practice

18th December 2012

Sporting Equals is one of the five national partners commissioned to deliver the ‘Faith and Community Strand’ for the fit as a fiddle programme.

The aim of the project was to promote health and wellbeing to black and minority ethnic (BME) older people

1.National Training Programme289 Volunteers trained across 39 partner organisations

2. Roadshows29 Roadshow Events utilising 15 partner organisations

Total number of people engaged: 5,532

NATIONAL PROJECT - Two elements:

Fit as Fiddle - Ethnicity Profile

South Asian46%

Black or African/Caribbean

23%

Chinese12%

Mixed4%

Other15%

Fit as a Fiddle - Religious Profile

Christian 27.0%

Hindu 9.6%

Not Specified 15.6%

Any Other Religion 3.9%

No Religion 10.0%

Jewish0.4%

Buddhist4.4%

Muslim 9.7%

Sikh 19.5%

Faith and

Ethnicity

Profile

Project locations and coverage

Impact - Older People

• Eating more healthier; more fruit, vegetables and water included in diet.

• Greater understanding of food preparation.

• Increasing physical activity levels (on average an extra 2 hours of activity per week).

• Social interaction, reduced isolation and loneliness.

Impact - Projects

• Enhanced volunteer infrastructure

• Additional capacity support

• Established links to other services and partners

• Change in management behaviour

• 79% of projects confirmed they would continue with the activities

Key Learning – Health & Wellbeing

• Volunteers who speak community languages.• Segregated activities to accommodate the needs of women.• Use of religious establishments, community centres and word

of mouth to disseminate information.• Healthy lifestyle linked to religious teachings to ensure BME

individuals could connect with messaging.

“The older people have formed good relationships with the volunteers. Those who have been reluctant to take part are now willingly participating in the activities and

they appear to be enjoying themselves more and more” CAPtA, Derbyshire

Key Learning; Policy & Practice

• Ensuring service providers are culturally receptive to the needs of BME groups

• Forging stronger links between local community groups and service providers

• Linking sport and physical activity to the wider health agenda

‘Participants are more mindful of the need to incorporate exercise into their lifestyles, some now walk to the bus stop and one has joined a swimming class’, Coordinator Moreland Trust

Challenges and Opportunities

Model is being tailored to be used independently

Proven evidence base as it is a tried and tested approach

Requires buy-in from the sector

Opportunities for staff development and cascade training