Making Leeds less isolated, one older person at a time

Time to Shine

2017September

Time to Shine is a programme, led by older people, that aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation in people over the age of 50.

These are major issues, not fully understood, and our job is to learn what makes a difference.

Time to Shine works in partnership to deliver activities, training and campaigns across Leeds that celebrate and promote positive ageing.

What we learn will help older people live fulfilling lives now and in the future.

Visit www.timetoshineleeds.org for more details.

New people are always welcome so please join an activity, volunteer, or get involved in any way you can.

Time to shine is working towards four ambitious outcomes by 2021.

Older people:

1. Are less isolated2. Feel confident to participate in

their communities3. Are actively involved in the

design and delivery of Time to Shine

Organisations:

4. Work better together to coordinate services and support for isolated older people

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CaraReconnecting older people of Irish heritageCara means “friend” in Irish. Volunteers visit older people of Irish heritage in their homes to make sure they can stay connected as they reach later life. Support is offered to help people get involved in social and cultural activities and to meet old and new friends.

City-wide Leeds Irish Health and Homes admin@lihh.org 0113 262 5614

South and Southeast Leeds Age UK Leeds Digital.Angels@ageukleeds.org.uk 0113 389 3000

Photo: LIHH Photo: Age UK Leeds

Digital AngelsCreating online and offline connections between older people in LeedsStaff and volunteers assist older people to get online for the first time, supporting learners in their home and over the phone. Digital tea parties in community centres and libraries introduce learners to each other – in person or via Skype – and help unlock the mystery of the World Wide Web.

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City-wide Yorkshire MESMAC, Age UK Leeds j.woods@mesmac.co.uk 0113 244 4209 / 07736 151 895

SageBespoke services for older LGBT people across LeedsA group of older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans (LGBT) people create a programme of activities which are fun and easy to access by people over 50. The team also work to strengthen the LGBT inclusivity of existing services through training and partnership work.

(Trans is an umbrella term referring to all gender-nonconforming identities)

Photo: Pam Courtney

Lychee RedBefriending and support for local Chinese communitiesChinese elders come together to share a meal and then stay on for social activities, games, exercise and entertainment, supported by a team of bilingual volunteers from local Chinese communities.

Photo: Peter Howarth

City-wide, focus on south Leeds Health For All hua.liu@healthforall.org.uk 0113 271 7231 or 07930 250 508

Rural Leeds, various locations Community First Yorkshire sharon.middling@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk 01904 704177

Time To Shine BME Elders NetworksSupporting South Asian communities of LeedsNew members are warmly welcomed into Elders’ Networks for activities which are fun, sociable, culturally-appropriate and sensitive to the needs of older people. The programme of activities is designed by older people and is supported by bilingual staff and volunteers.

Photo: Sara Teresa Photo: Leeds Community Connect

Leeds Community ConnectTurning underused village venues into vibrant Community Hubs in rural LeedsSteered by local older people and supported by a team of volunteers, Community Hubs offer a varied programme of activities where older people come together on a regular basis to socialise, learn and have fun. The first phase of the project saw great success in Swillington, Scholes, Thorner and East Keswick; the next phase will set up new hubs in rural South Leeds.

City-wide Health for All balwinder.kaur@healthforall.org.uk 07590 182627 / 0113 270 6903 5

Cross Gates and Other Areas Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours' Scheme CIO claire@crossgatesgns.org.uk 0113 260 6565

City-wide The Bridge (Health for All) / Aspire / Purple Patch carol-ann.reed@healthforall.org.uk 0113 276 2720

Photo: Carol Ann Reed Photo: Shared Tables

Learning Disability Community DevelopmentConnecting learning disabled older peopleOur Learning Disability Community Development project will help us gain a better understanding of how many older learning disabled people are experiencing social isolation in our city. We want to know what the barriers are for them in developing meaningful social relationships and how they would like to tackle their isolation and loneliness.

Shared TablesTime together over a meal in a local restaurantSingle people who can travel independently share a table at a local restaurant for a self-funded meal, hosted by an older volunteer.

Shared Tables will be supporting the creation of similar schemes in other areas of Leeds, passing on what they have learned so that more people can benefit from this successful project.

City-wide Time to Shine at Leeds Older People’s Forum Learning Facilitator: hanna@opforum.org.uk Age Friendly Campaign Officer: emily@opforum.org.uk 0113 244 1697

Photo: Peter Howarth Photo: Leeds Community Connect

Age Friendly CampaignWorking in partnership to make Leeds an Age Friendly cityThe first year of this project saw the creation of an Age Friendly Charter for Leeds, written by older people from all over the city. We are now working with third-sector organisations, health providers, the Council and businesses to implement it. The strategy is led by a steering group of adults over 50; get in touch to find out how you can help.

Learning FacilitationTime to Shine training and awarenessTime to Shine offers a comprehensive training programme for older people, volunteers and staff to raise awareness of loneliness and share key messages. Training is provided across Leeds, focusing on the causes and effects of social isolation and the ways in which this can be reduced.

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Connecting those with Leeds at heart.

Our goal is to create a healthier, happier Leeds where hardship and inequality are words of the past and where grassroots projects can blossom. We form partnerships between community groups that are making a di� erence and the people who wish to invest in a betterfuture for our city.

To fi nd out how you can get involved in our work:

Ring: (0113) 242 2426 Email: info@leedscf.org.ukVisit: www.leedscf.org.uk

City-wide Leeds Community Foundation grants@leedscf.org.uk 0113 242 2426

Small FundsTime to Shine funding for local organisationsLocal organisations apply for between £5,000 and £10,000 for a 12-month project to help understand how to reduce social isolation and loneliness. There are two funding rounds per year with a different theme in each round.

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City-wide info@abaleeds.org.uk 0113 210 3347

Chapeltown stacey.robertson@zesthealthforlife.org 0113 240 6677

City-wide manchiuleung@hotmail.com 0113 271 7231

South Leeds info@stlukescares.org.uk 0113 320 0396

Association of Blind AsiansABA has identified a tendency for older men who experience sight loss to withdraw into themselves, which can lead to depression and isolation. Walking for Health employs a Men's Health Coordinator to organise monthly walks, make home visits and provide information about a range of services available to men from the Asian community.

Happy Panda (快乐熊猫)Happy Panda brings together older Chinese men who have worked in the catering industry—physically demanding jobs during unsociable hours—leading to many being isolated, especially if English is a challenge. Cooking together and singing in English, which has been shown as a good language improvement technique, builds confidence and helps form better social connections too.

Zest Health for LifeRecognising that many more women than men join in activities in Chapeltown, Zest Health for Life run a breakfast club for men only. Once a week local men gather for a healthy hot breakfast and a chance to make new friends. They have a chance to share their skills, hobbies and stories as they teach and learn from each other, including the opportunity to earn their Food Hygiene qualification.

St Luke's CaresMen over 50 gain or enhance the necessary skills to fix up items for St. Luke’s Cares charity shops. This includes painting, re-upholstering, repairing white goods and rebuilding furniture. Workshops are a great way to get to know people, while being part of a team and accomplishing a common goal.

This project is developing with the help of an additional round of Small Funds, fostering the connections that form between all volunteers in the charity shops.

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Seacroft info@ls14trust.org 0113 318 0522

City-wide info@pyramid-of-arts.org.uk 0113 234 6040

Airborough info@avsed.org.uk 0113 250 1702

Rothwell Brian.Garbett@mha.org.uk 0113 288 0887

LS14 TrustThe Postcard Cafe brings participants together to socialise and write postcards, sending them around the world via an online postcard exchange service. They track where their postcards have gone and receive some in return. This project provides an opportunity to merge old-fashioned and modern ways of communicating.

AVSEDFollowing an Asset-Based Community Development approach, Age Friendly Airborough will help strengthen existing relationships across 9 local extra-care and sheltered housing residences. Staff will identify Community Connectors within these residences and support them in the creation of in-house activities which relieve social isolation and loneliness.

Pyramid Of ArtsPyramid of Arts will engage older people with learning disabilities who are not currently accessing many services. Those who wish can attend a 12-week art project to try out a range of different art forms, from traditional to digital. The end result will be a unique "Cultural Passport”: a piece of artwork which articulates their social ambitions and can be shared easily with those involved in the person’s care.

Rothwell & District Live At HomeHelp to Connect will set up a team of 5-6 volunteer befriender enablers to work with 25 older people living in the Rothwell and district area facing barriers to social inclusion. Befrienders will be trained and supported to help participants achieve agreed goals which promote independence, social participation and formation of meaningful relationships.

Small Funds continued

City-wide Care-Connect s.alden@sheffield.ac.uk

City-wide Age UK Leeds adie@ageukleeds.org.uk 0113 389 3000

Photo: Age UK Leeds Photo: Care-Connect

Walking with ConfidenceIncreasing older people’s independence by walking togetherTrained volunteers offer support and a reassuring presence for up to 12 weeks to help older people get out and about on foot, mobility scooter or public transport. A goal is set – such as to visit a shop, pub or a friend’s house – and volunteers and older people work towards achieving this together.

Local EvaluationIndependent evaluation of the Time to Shine programmeThis academic research, conducted by a partnership of the University of Sheffield, Leeds Beckett and Leeds Trinity Universities, helps to explain which of the approaches developed by our delivery partners work well to reduce social isolation. This evidence will be shared with local funders and decision makers for the future. The Volunteer Listeners Project, led by an older person, invites volunteers to help gather stories and experiences of people involved across Time to Shine.

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Supporting WellbeingOlder people who are frail or who have complex medical needs are at high risk of being socially isolated. Health and mobility problems can make it increasingly difficult for older people to get out and do the things they enjoy. Extra support can help improve some of these situations.

The Supporting Wellbeing projects communicate with health professionals (GPs, memory support teams, community matrons and more) to reach people who could benefit from that extra level of support to access social opportunities.

The length of support will depend on individual needs and can be offered in a range of Asian languages, e.g. Punjabi, Urdu, or Chinese.

City-wide independenceathome@ageukleeds.org.uk 0113 389 3000

Age UK LeedsAge UK Leeds will serve as a single point of referral for all the Supporting Wellbeing projects, as each serves a different geographical location or population. Please get in touch and ask for someone with the Supporting Wellbeing Service.

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West Leeds lynseybramleyea@gmail.com 0113 236 1644

Bramley Elderly ActionCovering Bramley, Swinnow and parts of Stanningley in West Leeds.

East Leeds claire@crossgatesgns.org.uk 0113 260 6565

Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours’ Scheme CIOCovering Cross Gates and surrounding areas in East Leeds.

North Leeds Joanna@opal-project.org.uk 0113 261 9103

OPAL in Partnership with MAECareShared Well, a partnership of OPAL and MAECare, covers LS16 and LS17 areas in North Leeds.

South Leeds yasmin.khan@healthforall.org.uk 07940 020847

Health For AllHealth for All’s New Hope project works with BME elders from Chinese, Pakistani, Sikh, Bangladeshi and Hindi communities in South Leeds.

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April May June July August September

200 people attend the Time

to Shine first year celebration event

Work with older LGBT

people to make Leeds Pride age

friendly

Time to Shine reached almost 2,600 people in2016/17, taking the total number of people reached to almost 4,900 since the programme began.

57% Older people actively participating in Time to Shine projects

4%Older people attending one-off events

13% Older volunteers involved in Time To Shine

Year Two Achievements

Of these 2,600 people:

Supporting Wellbeing projects start to work with frail older people

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October November December January February March

3% Younger volunteers involved in delivery partner projects

4% Attended Time to Shine training or workshops

19% Other

Age Friendly Charter launches after consultation

with 176 older people

Leeds City Councillors briefed about Time to Shine

in an Executive Board report

1000 newsletter subscribers

Twitter account has

1700 followers

29 Time to Shine projects

underway

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“The training on LGBT awareness and understanding was interesting and very engaging. Thanks for the energy and creativity you put into your work.”– Sage Training attendee

& Quotes Feedback

“I am a single man, I am mostly alone. Only Sudoku and TV along with me, but since I came to the club, I feel like home, everyone cared for each other. I feel so moved.”– Lang, Lychee Red participant

“It has brought more laughter into my life, I believe laughter is better than any medicine.”– Shared Tables participant

“I am pleased to note that someone is taking an interest in lives that built the foundation of our present society.”– Age Friendly Charter consultation

“I have had a lifelong interest in gardening and before the death of my best friend, used to go out for the day with the spades, and have fun. Having moved to Leeds, all this has come to an end. My sister-in-law, knowing my situation, gave me a flyer advertising your gardening area; I phoned Martin and the rest, as they say, is history. Suddenly I have new friends with common interests, have somewhere to go, and am doing things again. It's literally changed my life around.”– That Friday Feeling Goes Gardening participant

“We didn’t need money to feel rich and together.”– Barbara, Cara participant

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Real-Life StoriesDigital AngelsVera was tired of sitting on her own watching television. She lives alone and is unable to leave the house without help. Vera’s family bought her a tablet but Vera didn’t even have a radio growing up so she felt confused and left out with technology. After an initial introduction Vera had weekly visits from Gail, a volunteer with Digital Angels, to help Vera learn how to use her tablet.

Using the internet has awoken a passion in Vera for learning. Because World War II started when she was 11, her education was interrupted and she is enjoying learning new things – something she feels she missed out on. Vera feels much closer to the people around her now and doesn’t panic so easily when she is on her own as she can look things up on the internet or email her family. Vera feels more relaxed and content now and isn’t scared of trying new things. She feels like she has really done something good for herself and her future.

Supporting WellbeingMr. and Mrs. H are a very close couple and rarely did things without each other. They used to attend a lunch club together but Mr. H had a fall and was unable to leave the house for a long time as there was no grab rail.

Mrs. H has recently been diagnosed with dementia but after getting lost on the bus a few times, she decided she was not going out again on her own. The family referred the couple to Supporting Wellbeing because they were worried that they were becoming isolated. The project worker developed a positive relationship with the couple and eventually Mrs. H agreed to return to the lunch club, first with the worker and then with assistance from volunteers. Mrs. H enjoyed it and now attends regularly, also joining in chair-based exercises.

Attending these groups without her husband has been a big step in improving Mrs. H’s confidence in doing things alone, regaining some independence. In the meantime, grab rails have been fitted and Mr. H is now able to leave the house; they have started to attend regular social and physical activities together again.

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Learning FacilitationThe Time to Shine learning facilitator delivered a ‘Transitions into Retirement’ course, in partnership with Leeds City Council. One attendee, Mrs. P said that the thought of retirement really frightened her, as her husband had recently been diagnosed with Huntington’s disease and she had no idea what she wanted to do or how she would cope if she left work.

The course helps people to change the perception of retirement from a negative ‘ending’ to a positive ‘beginning’ and to consider what will make them happy. At the end of the course Mrs. P announced to the whole group that she had decided to make a formal request for retirement.

The course had helped her to realise that she wanted to seize the opportunities that she and her husband have now instead of waiting. The difference in her manner was amazing. Mrs. P literally was walking taller when she left. The weight of uncertainty had been taken off her and she felt free to take advantage of what her life had to offer.

Credit: Lizzie Coombes & Peter Spafford

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• Young at Arts (Yorkshire Dance and the LEAF Partnership)

• Walk with Me (Feel Good Factor)

• Senior Networks A.G.E. (Action for Gipton Elderly)

• Raat di Roti (Touchstone)

• Street Links (Richmond Hill Elderly Action)

• Calling Carers (Carers Leeds)

• Farnley Friendly Faces (Neighbourhood Action in Farnley, New Farnley and Moor Top)

• Walk and Talk (Horsforth Live at Home)

• Carers' Project (Association of Blind Asians)

• That Friday Feeling Goes Gardening (That Friday Feeling)

Time to Shine is only as good as the partners who make it happen. Over the past two years we’ve worked with some amazing organisations who have helped to connect older people, teaching us what works and what doesn’t.

Special thanks to the projects which have come to an end and the partners who delivered them:

ThankYou...

Thanks also to our Core Partnership and the many volunteers who contribute their time and dedication to learning about how to overcome social isolation.

Together we can make Leeds a great city to grow old in.19

Time to Shine is managed by Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF) and funded by the Big Lottery Fund using National Lottery funding.

Core partnership members, many who are over 50, steer the programme and make strategic decisions, working closely with the Time to Shine staff team and the LOPF board of trustees.

www.timetoshineleeds.org

@ttsleeds

facebook.com/timetoshineleeds

0113 244 1697

timetoshine@opforum.org.uk

C24 Joseph's Well Leeds, LS3 1AB

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