In this webinar we explored what needs to be in place to enable everyone to maintain, rebuild or grow social connections as we age. Find out more: https://ageing-better.org.uk/events/community-connections-as-we-age

1. Centre for Ageing Better
ageing-better.org.uk
Community connections
as we age: lessons from
the pandemic
This webinar will explore what needs to be in
place to enable everyone to maintain, rebuild or
grow social connections as we age.

2. ageing-better.org.uk
Sarah Wilkinson
Centre for Ageing Better

3. Centre for Ageing Better
ageing-better.org.uk
Community
Connectedness: lessons
from the pandemic
Evidence from the NatCen panel Homes and
Communities surveys, July and November 2020
and Community Life Survey 2021

4. Centre for Ageing Better
Neighbourhood belonging increases with age

5. Centre for Ageing Better
Ethnic diversity in older age groups will increase with time

6. Centre for Ageing Better
Different demographics experience ageing differently

7. Centre for Ageing Better

8. Centre for Ageing Better
People in local authorities with high population turnover were
more likely to feel less connected as the pandemic went on

9. Centre for Ageing Better
Membership of “connectedness groups” by age

10. Centre for Ageing Better

11. Centre for Ageing Better

12. Centre for Ageing Better

13. ageing-better.org.uk
Dr Sophie Yarker
Professor Chris Phillipson
The University of Manchester

14. Experiences of community and
voluntary organisations working
with older people in Greater
Manchester
The Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group
Presented by Prof Chris Phillipson and Dr
Sophie Yarker

15. Areas
covered
• Aims of the research
• Views of community and
voluntary organisations
• Recommendations from the
research

16. A collaborative research
project:

20. Experience of
organisations
• Emergency Response
• Adaptations: service delivery
and changing needs
• Challenges: remote delivery and
reaching marginalised groups
• Future planning

21. These have been extraordinary times and a lot of it has
been firefighting
Initial focus on provision of food and prescriptions
It was all hands-on deck within our organisations, food
was the priority. Reflecting on what we could do with
staff in a safe way. It took a long time to sort out the
practicalities. We pulled staff out of the hospital cafe and
services were closed. Phone calls had to be reorganised
because of the increasing number of people calling.
Lockdown started on 23rd March. The previous Thursday
the risk assessment started.
Community Organiser, Salford
Emergency response

22. Identifying needs in their communities and filling in
gaps:
The local community hubs were offering emergency food
parcels to older people… but they only had two options,
vegetarian or non-vegetarian, no other dietary
requirements were considered. Many South Asian
households opted for non-vegetarian but weren’t able to
eat a lot of what was sent to them because the meat was
not Halal.
Community organiser, Rochdale

23. Adapting service delivery
• Remote delivery of services through Zoom,
WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, Telephone and post
• Meeting both practical and social needs

24. Adapting to changing needs:
The needs of people have shifted, with many more
needing help with basics like cleaning, shopping and
the census. Whereas people might have had help
from their families with completing the census in the
past, or would have come to a session as (the
community centre), they can’t do that as easily now.
Community Organiser, Salford

25. Challenges with remote delivery:
WhatsApp has been useful to an extent, but it has its
limitations. For example, if a client wants help
translating a letter or completing a form… they are
able to take a photo of the documentation and send
it via WhatsApp to a member of staff but then for
staff to talk them through how to complete the form
over the phone is difficult.
Community Organiser, Rusholme

26. Challenge in reaching people:
Some people cannot use the technology (and others)
don’t have the technology. So… for me, those people
are falling through the gaps.
Community organiser, Levenshulme
We had a group of seven hard to reach people
coming along to the meetings. Hopefully not all is
lost. Hoping to run workshops at some point in the
future in a socially responsible way.
Organiser of Men's Group, Levenshulme

27. Needs of marginalised groups:
For many people their LGBT identity hasn’t been affirmed
throughout the pandemic as people have been cut off
from the groups and organisations where this is
central….Therefore, people are really missing the spaces
and opportunities to have their identity recognised.
Programme Manager, LGBT Foundation
Long-term impact:
I think it’s mental health. I think maybe we will have
another crisis on our hands with the NHS and mental
health…I think we are going to struggle in terms of getting
people to come out of the house.
Community organiser, Manchester

28. Looking forward
Even if the government turns around and says we can
forget about social distancing…can we forget about
masks? Can we forget about gloves? I think it’s going to
be about people’s mindsets now in terms of how we go
forward
Community organiser, Levenshulme
The biggest challenge is going to be how we safely re-
open the centre. We are going to have to grapple with
the risk assessments, guidelines, legal responsibilities and
managing expectations from the public and staff,
insurance, funding. On top of that there is the loss of
income.
Staff member, Community centre in North Manchester

33. References
• with Luciana Lang, Sophie Yarker, Patty Doran, Mhorag Goff & Tine
Buffel COVID-19 and Social Exclusion: Experiences of Older People Living
in Areas of Multiple Deprivation, 2021
https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=56003
• COVID-19 and social inequality: Developing community-centred interventions
(manchester.ac.uk)
• Is the voluntary and community sector adequately resourced to support older
people in the recovery from COVID-19? | Ageing Issues (wordpress.com)
• Yarker (2022) Creating Spaces for an Ageing Society: The role of Critical Social
Infrastructure. Emerald Publishing

34. ageing-better.org.uk
Ali Kaye
Leeds Older People’s Forum

35. Who are we?
Leeds Older People’s Forum is a network of third
sector organisations working with and for older
people.
We want to ensure older people have the
opportunities, choices and support they need to live
the life they want.
www.opforum.org.uk

36. The Leeds Pandemic Response
Cross-sector response
• Community ward hubs
• Communities of Interest
• Third sector
• Advice Line
• Food Hub
www.opforum.org.uk
Leeds Older People’s Forum
• Neighbourhood Networks
• SkillsShares and Learning
• Shine
• OP Covid grants
• Digital Inclusion
• Tower Blocks

37. March 2022
www.opforum.org.uk
● Leeds Neighbourhood Networks
● Enhance
● Community Hubs
● Voice

38. Contact
Get in touch if you have any questions
Website: www.opforum.org.uk
Email: ali@opforum.org.uk
Phone: 0113 244 1697
Twitter: @LeedsOPF
Facebook: @leedsolderpeoplesforum
www.opforum.org.uk

39. Centre for Ageing Better
ageing-better.org.uk
Community connections
as we age: lessons from
the pandemic