It’s a new year – and a good time to try some new ways of doing things. Maybe you could turn a coffee morning into a pop-up cafe, use co-production when you plan your programme for 2024, or revive a group by turning your participants into volunteers?
Creating a new project with lots of volunteers, keeping things on track, and building connections isn’t always simple. If you would like some support, a bit of a refresh, or you’re working with new partners, employees and volunteers, then the Good Practice Mentors can help.
We can also share more about using co-production to empower and learn from older people in your area. And, if want to engage with new groups and communities, we have advice, training and support that can help.
In fact, we’ve got lots of learning to share from our years with the Ageing Better programme to reduce loneliness and isolation – and, to me, it seems that positive connections are just what people need at the moment.
There are a whole range of free training sessions (which are fully funded so they won’t cost you a penny), or you can join us for the next Good Practice Mentor taster session to learn more about the support we offer.
For community organisers, I’m running sessions on running groups with a warm welcome which will help you to ensure new members feel comfortable joining. If you have new employees, they might learn from our sessions about the psychology of loneliness, and the effects of ageism. For larger organisations, we have brilliant opportunities to find out more about making the best of community connectors and lots of training to support co-production. There’s also an opportunity to learn more about effective ways to reach out to those who don’t usually engage with your offer or service.
In addition to the online courses, we can work with you to plan bespoke training sessions, walk alongside you in your journey to reducing loneliness, and connect you to others who might have been there before.
Get in touch on GPM@syha.co.uk, or come to a session and find out more.
Jessica, Leeds Older People’s Forum
