Category: Age UK Network News

Keep up with all the latest news from across the Age UK Network

NHS Development Programme – Latest Resources to Support Winter Pressures Planning

Access the latest resources from the NHS Development programme, including webinars and guides covering key topics around winter pressures planning, procurement and funding.

Earlier this year, as part of the NHS Development Programme, Age UK and the Age England Association asked Network Partners for your help to develop the next phase of our work supporting Local Age UKs to respond to new challenges and opportunities in the changing NHS and social care landscape. A big thank you to everyone who responded.

The latest set of resources from the programme are now available below, covering key topics around winter pressures planning, procurement and funding. You can also view the earlier resources released here.

Winter Guide Webinar | Tuesday 12 December

We are pleased to launch the Winter Guide Webinar, an in-depth session exploring the new resources produced by the NHS Development Programme and how they relate to policy priorities set out by NHS England.

This webinar will be led by the Health Influencing team at Age UK. It will explore what we believe will be motivating local NHS and social care services and commissioners both over the winter and into next year. It will look at the data and evidence resources we have produced and explore how these could help local Age UKs to engage and support their local system. The primary target for this engagement is Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and the key decision-making body, their Integrated Care Boards (ICB).

Book your place

The session will be held online on Tuesday 12 December from 10:30 to 11:30. To sign up, please contact belisario.iurcovich@ageuk.org.uk and the meeting link will be forwarded to you.

New Report | A Coordinated Response to Winter Pressures: Working together to support older people through winter

We are also pleased to share the Coordinated Response to Winter Pressures report.

This report aims to make the case for investing in older people’s services, particularly over the winter. It outlines the evidence for need, i.e. the disproportionate impact on older people when services are not meeting their needs; the impact on the system, whereby older people need crisis care which could be avoided; and some examples of where Age UKs are already supporting local services. It also provides some of the national policy drivers that will be motivating Integrated Care Board (ICB) decision-making and performance measures. 

This guide was produced as a reference sheet for Age UKs but primarily as a resource to send directly to ICBs. 

If you have any questions about this report please contact healthinfluencing@ageuk.org.uk.

ICS Data Tool Tutorial – Recording now Available!

We are also pleased to share the ICS Data Tool tutorial. This recorded session will walk you through the new ICS Data Tool, which take some of the key metrics used by the NHS to assess local performance and organises them by ICB area. It also includes a range of useful demographic data from the 2021 Census. One aim of this is to help Age UKs to see where may be particular challenges in their ICS area and how they compare with others.

The recording can be accessed by clicking here.

How to access the ICS Data Tool

If you would like to access the Data tool, please complete this short MS Form.

(NB: Access requires a MS Power BI Pro licence – if you don’t have this licence, please still complete the form as it will help us plan what assistance we can provide you.)

Any Questions? 

If you have any questions, feedback, or need more help with access, please contact localstatistics@ageuk.org.uk. 

Age UK Campaigns Calendar – Winter 2023/24

The latest Age UK Campaigns Calendar is now available for you to view and download! Find out about all planned campaigns activity until the end of January 2024.

The latest edition of the campaigns calendar is now available to view below. This edition includes updates on Age UK’s campaigns on the cost of living and digital exclusion, as well as an update on the Care and Support Alliance’s latest activity on social care. There are also updates on some of Age UK’s upcoming reports and briefings too, including Age UK’s submission to the Treasury ahead of this week’s Autumn Statement from the Chancellor.

As ever, there are lots of opportunities for Partners to campaign and influence together on a range of issues. We always deeply appreciate any local influencing you can carry out to raise the profile of issues affecting older people and all our work benefits from this collaboration.

Click here to view the calendar!

If you have any questions or require any support with your local influencing or joining our national campaigns, please contact Luke Pilot via luke.pilot@ageuk.org.uk.

How the Age UK Network is supporting older people through the Cost of Living Response Fund

We are pleased to share with you the latest data from the Cost of Living Response Fund activity. Thank you to all Partners who are involved and have shared this data with us. So far over 37,000 older people have been directly supported.

In December 2022, Age UK announced the Cost of Living Response Fund Programme, which saw just under £5m awarded to the 126 Network Partners that applied. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the programme, below is an update and statistics on progress so far, using data that you have shared with us since the programme began.

Headline Findings

We would like to say a huge thank you to all Partners involved in the Programme for your unwavering dedication to supporting older people during these extremely challenging times – your impactful work is invaluable.

The data you have shared with us has further highlighted this and we really appreciate the time and effort in getting this to us.

From the data we received from Network Partners during the application process, we know the following interventions are being delivered since the funding started:

  • 68 Network Partners are delivering Information & Advice.
  • 48 Network Partners are using the funding to increase attendance at physical activity sessions or social groups.
  • 54 Network Partners are using the funding to increase attendance at day centres or day clubs.
  • 44 Network Partners are delivering home support.
  • 32 Network Partners are delivering meal provision.

The data below covers the period from the start of delivery (February/March 2023) to June 2023 with data from 118 Partners[1]. So far, the Cost of Living Response Fund Programme has directly supported 37,930 0lder people across 122,000 interventions (as defined above).

[1] 4 Partners have not been included in this analysis; 3 Partners’ delivery was delayed to start in Q3 and we have not received reporting from 1 Partner.

Download the full summary report

We’ve compiled a longer report about the work Partners have been doing so far to support older people through the Cost of Living Response Fund. Please click below to read the full report:

click here to view the full report!

The report includes some examples of how Partners have been using the funding:

“Our regular social groups have helped older people by addressing social isolation and loneliness, as well as removing transport barriers which often prevent those older people with low incomes and with no network of supporters from accessing services. Our Echome project which ran this Quarter, has helped bring fun, enjoyment, and gentle physical exercise to a group of older people as part of a project testing out “movement sonification” devices led by the University of Leeds.

Our Fashion Show, a one off event, provided opportunities for older people to do something outside of their comfort zone, boosting confidence and self-esteem. Finally, our service talks and presentations helped to raise awareness of our services out in local communities and promoted future events which will be funded by the CoL grant.”

Age UK Leeds

Get your next grant payment before Christmas

A reminder that to guarantee you receive your next grant payment before Christmas, please ensure you send over your final submission by Friday 1 December. Otherwise, your payment will be processed in the new year.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Anna Bootle, the Project Manager at costofliving@ageuk.org.uk if you have any questions or would like any further information.

Subsequent reporting deadlines are Wednesday 31 January and Tuesday 30 April 2024.

Thank you again for all the amazing work you are doing to support older people during this difficult time.

Please contact Anna, Project Manager, on costofliving@ageuk.org.uk if you have any questions or queries about the Programme.    

Age UK reacts to the Autumn Statement

See how Age UK has responded to the Autumn Statement through statements from Charity Director Caroline Abrahams.

Below you can find Age UK’s response to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, as well as that of the Care Support Alliance, of which Age UK is a member:

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said:

“We’re pleased and relieved the Government kept its promise to older people to honour the Triple Lock. For the 4.2 million older people who recently cut back on food and groceries to make ends meet, having a State Pension that delivers the basics in life is the absolute minimum that should be expected. Today’s decision also crucially makes is more likely that older people will keep their homes adequately warm this winter, with less fear of facing an energy bill they simply cannot afford to pay come the spring.

Even with the Triple Lock being honoured in full next year, some older people on low fixed incomes will still find life extremely tough, especially those whose incomes take them just above the line for extra financial help. We had called for more support for this hard-done-by group, who will receive their Triple Lock increase but no more. Longer term, governments need to think creatively and do more to help them.”

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director of Age UK and co-chair of the Care Support Alliance (CSA) says:

“With this Autumn Statement the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has gone from hero to zero on social care. Last year we applauded him when he ordered a significant increase in funding to keep services from collapsing but this year, despite clear warnings from local government about the likelihood of further cuts to care, he has offered nothing. And what’s more, even though the rise in minimum wage is thoroughly welcome and deserved, without additional funding the cost of providing, or buying social care, will be going up.

Meanwhile, nearly half a million older and disabled people in England are waiting for care, a direct payment or for their care needs to be assessed, and with care services so shaky the pressure is constantly increasing on unpaid carers to fill the gap. All these figures will now get worse, and behind every one of them there are individual stories of older people struggling and often failing to live a good and decent life, since without the care they need they are unable to do the basics like prepare meals and take their medication, or, in the case of many disabled people, work, train and enjoy the company of friends.  

Boris Johnson was cheered by his colleagues when he pledged to ‘fix the crisis in social care’ some four and a half years ago but today’s Statement was a reminder of how desperately short the Government has fallen. Transformational reform is still badly needed in social care, but for now the prospect of it has disappeared out of sight, and millions of older and disabled people, and their unpaid carers, are paying a very high price.” 

Webinar: What we’ve learned from the Walking Football Programme

With the Walking Football programme coming to a close, join our webinar to look back at the programme, including what we can learn from it for future physical activity programmes. Hear colleagues at Age UK Bradford & District; Age UK Buckinghamshire; and Age UK Stockport discuss their involvement in the programme.

The Age UK Walking Football Programme, delivered in partnership with Sport England and the Football Association since Spring 2021, has recently come to an end.

To mark this, Age UK Chief Executive Paul Farmer would like to invite you to an online celebration of the Walking Football Programme on Wednesday 13 December at 11am via Microsoft Teams.

“I am thrilled to invite you to a celebration of the Age UK Walking Football Programme and all it has achieved since it began during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Being active is good for physical and mental health whatever your age and it’s especially important as we get older. It can improve confidence and wellbeing, help older people live independently for longer, and reduce isolation and loneliness.”

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive, Age UK

About the event

The celebration will run from 11:00 – 13:00 and we’ll be hearing from Age UK’s CEO Paul Farmer, along with some of the Network Partners who delivered the programme. Teams at Age UK Bradford & District and Age UK Buckinghamshire will tell us about the groups they’ve set up, and an inspiring volunteer with Age UK Stockport will talk about the impact the programme has had on them. 

Sheffield Hallam University, who have externally evaluated the programme, will also be sharing the learning they’ve gathered and how this can inform the set up and delivery of other physical activity programmes in the future.

Book your place!

  • Date: Wednesday 13 December
  • Time: 11:00am – 13:00pm
Click here to book your place!

Any questions? Get in touch!

Please email rebecca.barnham@ageuk.org.uk with any queries.

Join us to celebrate the Dementia MCST programme!

Find out how you can celebrate the incredible work of Network Partners across the Dementia Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) Programme at our upcoming webinar on Wednesday 7 February 2024.

We’re delighted to invite you to celebrate the Dementia Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) Programme on Wednesday 7 February 2024 from 10am – 12pm via Teams.

MCST is a weekly 1-2 hour-long programme for people living with mild to moderate dementia. Group members take part in meaningful and stimulating activities, proven to help maintain memory and mental functioning. Thanks to generous funding, an amazing 157 groups across the Age UK Network have been set up between January 2021 and December 2023.

Join us to celebrate Network Partners’ incredible work and the impact that the programme has had on the lives of over 1000 older people living with dementia.

Age UK’s Chief Executive Paul Farmer will introduce the event, after which we’ll hear from Network Partners who have delivered MCST, as well as the external evaluator Research Works. The project team will look at the legacy of the programme and what it means for the Network and dementia support, followed by a Q&A session chaired by Alison Ingram.  

We will also be launching an exciting new toolkit for Network Partners interested in setting up the MCST service in their local area. It has been developed with input from the Age UK network for the purpose of delivering the NICE approved MCST programme.

Click here to book your place!

We look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday 7 February. If you have any queries about the event, please do feel free to contact dementiamcst@ageuk.org.uk.

Age UK Partner News Roundup – 24/11/23

Take a look at the latest weekly roundup of news from local and national partners.

Welcome to the latest Age UK Partner News Roundup! There are lots of new roles in this week’s edition, with several new positions at Age UK Manchester and Age UK Somerset respectively.

If you have a story from your organisation that you would like us to share with the Network, such as recent events, campaigns, or awards, please let us know at signpost@ageuk.org.uk and we’ll add it to the next roundup.

New roles available at Age UK Manchester

Age UK Manchester are seeking a Support Worker who commits to person-centred care for older adults. You’ll join a team that provides stimulating activities and support to older people of that community with varying and often complex needs. The role is from Monday to Friday, 35 hours a week.

They are also seeking Home Carers, passionate and supportive individuals to provide flexible home care for adults across Manchester. The hours vary and pay is at an enhanced rate at weekends and bank holidays. 

They also have a vacancy for a Field Support Officer, someone who wants to make a real difference in helping older people to be independent. You must have a full driving license and own car.

For more details on these roles and to apply visit Age UK Manchester’s website.

Three new roles at Age UK Somerset

Age UK Somerset currently has three vacancies, including an Officer to deliver Dementia MCST programme in Somerset.

They are also seeking an Ageing Well Class Coordinator to cover Sedgemoor & North Somerset, as well as an Administration Officer.

Find out full details on the Age UK Somerset website.

Closing Date: Monday 4 December

Age UK Plymouth seek Help at Home Community Support Assistant

Age UK Plymouth are looking to hire a Help at Home Community Support Assistant. This post involves providing a Help at Home Community Support service as required by individual clients living in their own homes, including cleaning and shopping for clients. 

Find out full details on the Age UK Plymouth website.

Closing Date: Thursday 30 November

Three new roles at Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire

Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire are seeking a Fundraising Relationships Coordinator to work on building relationships with corporate partners, individuals and communities to generate funding to support the charity’s activities. 

They are also looking to recruit a Senior Strategic Director to join their Senior Leadership Team (SLT).  As part of the SLT of the charity, you will contribute to the overall running and leadership of the charity and have responsibility for the line management of the services Strategic Directors and the Connect Service Manager.

They are also seeking an Operational Manager within their Information, Signposting & Advice (ISA) Team. The ISA Team aims to empower individuals and support their health and wellbeing through the provision of accurate and up-to-date information, signposting and advice as well as through income maximisation.

Find out full details on the Age UK Notts website.

Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering seek Advice Worker

Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering are recruiting an Advice Worker to cover the London Boroughs of Havering and Redbridge. This role requires the worker to work independently and manage their own caseload but be part of the wider team and be aware of the other services provided by Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering.

The post involves both office based, home visit and outreach work at a variety of locations across the London Borough of Redbridge. Good IT skills are required and familiarity with Charity Log would be useful as well as Knowledge of relevant quality assurance systems.

Find out full details on the Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering website.

Closing Date: Monday 27 November

Part Time Service Manager Required at Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are looking to recruit a new part time Service Manager. The post holder will be responsible to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the management of a combination of services. The successful candidate will ensure service users have access to the practical, social and emotional support through their service provisions.

Find out full details on the Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough website.

Closing date: Friday 24 November

Funding and Group Strategy Officer at Age UK Hythe, Lyminge and Ashford

Are you a Strategic thinker? Do you have experience of seeking statutory or grant funds? A group of Age UK’s and independent organisations in Kent have come together to form a consortium. They are looking for a Funding and Group Strategy Officer to support and represent them within the wider network in Kent.

To find out more or to receive a job description please contact Cleo Smith at co@ageukhla.org.uk.

Shop Manager role at Age UK Wiltshire

Age UK Wiltshire is seeking to recruit a Shop Manager. This is a great opportunity to develop your retail skills, benefit from experienced leadership and make your impact in a new charity shop venture. There are lots of opportunities ahead with the growth of other shops too!

Find out full details on the Age UK Wiltshire website.

Vacancies at Age UK Wigan Borough

Age UK Wigan Borough are seeking Home Helpers to support their shopping and cleaning service.

Find out full details on the Age UK Wigan Borough website.

Trustee Vacancy at Age UK Blackburn with Darwen

Are you a strategic thinker with business skills and experience? If so, you can apply to join the Board of Age UK Blackburn with Darwen as a Trustee.

Find out full details on the Age UK Blackburn with Darwen website.

Age UK Northamptonshire are recruiting to their Board of Trustees

Age UK Northamptonshire are looking for voluntary Trustees who have a range of skills and experience including leadership and senior management in the commercial sector or health sector or have senior legal or financial professional expertise. The Trustees would serve an initial three-year term.

Find out full details on the Age UK Northamptonshire website.

Vacancy at Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees

Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees are seeking a Home Helper.

Find out full details on the Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees website.

Independent Living Support worker role at Age UK Tunbridge Wells

Age UK Tunbridge Wells are currently looking to hire an Independent Living Support Worker.

Duties may include: shopping (e.g. for food, garden plants), medical appointment assistance, personal correspondence assistance, light household duties.

Find out full details on the Age UK Tunbridge Wells website.

Get in touch!

If you have a story from your organisation that you would like us to share with the Network, such as recent events, campaigns, or awards, please let us know at signpost@ageuk.org.uk.

You can also view a full list of open roles across the network here.

Walking Football Programme Celebration Webinar | Wednesday 13 December

To mark the amazing work of the Age UK Network across the Walking Football Programme, we’re holding an online celebration of the programme on Wednesday 13 December! Take a look at this invitation from Age UK Chief Executive Paul Farmer and find out how to book your place.

The Age UK Walking Football Programme, delivered in partnership with Sport England and the Football Association since Spring 2021, has recently come to an end.

To mark this, Age UK Chief Executive Paul Farmer would like to invite you to an online celebration of the Walking Football Programme on Wednesday 13 December at 11am via Microsoft Teams.

“I am thrilled to invite you to a celebration of the Age UK Walking Football Programme and all it has achieved since it began during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Being active is good for physical and mental health whatever your age and it’s especially important as we get older. It can improve confidence and wellbeing, help older people live independently for longer, and reduce isolation and loneliness.

I hope you can join this celebration to hear more from the programme team, Network Partners and the external evaluators from Sheffield Hallam University about this hugely successful programme. We’ll discuss the impact Walking Football has had in communities across the country and also share the knowledge and learnings for Network Partners interested in delivering similar programmes.”

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive, Age UK

About the event

The celebration will run from 11:00 – 13:00 and we’ll be hearing from Age UK’s CEO Paul Farmer, along with some of the Network Partners who delivered the programme.

We will also be hearing from Sheffield Hallam University who will be presenting their evaluation findings of the Walking Football Programme.

Event Details and Registration

  • Date: Wednesday 13 December
  • Time: 11:00am – 13:00pm
Click here to book your place!

Any questions? Get in touch!

Please email rebecca.barnham@ageuk.org.uk with any queries.

An update on the Our Shared Future Programme

With the First Consultation Period now concluded, this is a quick update on Our Shared Future for colleagues across the Network who may not be involved in the programme itself.

Our Shared Future is the project to coproduce a new Network Agreement and Shared Strategy for all of our organisations. You can find out more about the programme and how it works here.

The majority of work on Our Shared Future is being carried out by Senior Staff and Trustees, but as this is an important project, we are including brief updates in Signpost so colleagues across the Network who may not be directly involved in the programme can stay up-to-date.

The First Our Shared Future Consultation Period has now Closed

Back in September, we messaged in Signpost to say that the First Consultation Period for Our Shared Future had begun, with CEOs and Chairs of all Partners asked to give their feedback on consultation document, titled: “Summary of Key Proposals for Consultation” by Friday 10 November.

So far, 84 Boards have submitted their feedback – a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part so far! The Our Shared Future Strategy Group will now use the feedback provided to develop new documentation which will be circulated with Partner CEOs and Boards to start the Second Consultation Period.

This is an important next step towards finalising a new Shared Strategy and Network Agreement for all of our organisations, so we will continue to provide updates on Our Shared Future in Signpost over the coming months.

If you have any questions about your organisation’s role in the process, please speak to your CEO, or get in touch with the OSF Strategy Group: sharedfuture@ageuk.org.uk.

Reminder: Policy Primer “Scams” | Tuesday 28 November

A quick reminder to book your place at the next Policy Primer session on Scams. You can also access the recording for the first of these new webinars on the topic “Banking and Access to Cash”.

Thank you to everyone who attended the first Policy Primer session on “Banking and Access to Cash”! If you couldn’t join on the day, you can view the recording here.

Policy Primers is a webinar series from Age UK’s Policy Team where Partners can join for a half-hour session to hear the latest findings from our Policy work and ask any questions you have.

The next two events are available for you to book below:

Policy Primer: Scams | Tuesday 28 November | 12:30 – 13:00

Since the pandemic, fraudsters have developed increasingly complex methods of defrauding older people. Yet the impact of fraud is not understood as it might be.

At this lunchtime policy webinar, our scams and fraud lead, John Kamoto, will provide an update on our work in this area and will run through the latest data we have on fraud.

John will run through a 15 minute presentation, followed by 15 minutes for any questions or comments.

click here to book your place!
Policy Primer: Cost of Living Tracker | Tuesday 23 January | 12:30 – 13:00

In March 2023, Age UK presented results from our first wave of the cost of living tracker. This nationally representative survey, which we now run every January, tracks how people aged 60+ are coping with the cost of living over time. It asks questions about how they feel about the cost of living, what they are doing to try and make ends meet, and what support they need. 

At this webinar, Age UK’s Consumer Policy Manager, David Southgate, will present results from the second wave of the tracker, allowing local partners to see how trends have changed between January 2023 and January 2024.

There will be 15 minutes to go through the results from the survey followed by 15 minutes for any questions, comments, and data requests.

This event will be followed by the release of a report on the latest tracker results which we encourage local partners to use in your own funding bids and influencing work.

click here to book your place!

What topic should we cover next?

These topics were chosen following your feedback on the areas of Policy you’d like more information on. If you have a suggestion for a future topic, please let us know: policy@ageuk.org.uk.