Opening Doors in Central London Supporting Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Central London

Why do we need to provide services to older LGBT people? Older LGBT people may have a greater need for health and social care services because, compared with their heterosexual contemporaries, they are: two-and-a-half times as likely to live alone. two-and-a-half times as likely to live alone. twice as likely to be single, and twice as likely to be single, and four-and-a-half times as likely to have no children to call upon in times of need. four-and-a-half times as likely to have no children to call upon in times of need. ( DOH 2007) ( DOH 2007)

What are the health and support needs of older LGBT people? Older people are overwhelmingly perceived to be heterosexual (heterosexism) in generic services, consequently older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (OLGBT) people have often been invisible in service provision for older people. Older people are overwhelmingly perceived to be heterosexual (heterosexism) in generic services, consequently older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (OLGBT) people have often been invisible in service provision for older people. Therefore their needs are often overlooked in planning care, such as opportunities for maintaining social networks, significant others as primary care givers and decision makers. Therefore their needs are often overlooked in planning care, such as opportunities for maintaining social networks, significant others as primary care givers and decision makers. 20% of older LGBT people indicate that they have no one to call on in times of crisis or difficulty, a rate of up to ten times higher than the general population. 20% of older LGBT people indicate that they have no one to call on in times of crisis or difficulty, a rate of up to ten times higher than the general population. Older LGBT People generally are more likely to be estranged from birth families, having moved to avoid disrimination. Older LGBT People generally are more likely to be estranged from birth families, having moved to avoid disrimination.

No where to go??? Within LGBT community service provision, little thought is given to the needs of older LGBT people. Within LGBT community service provision, little thought is given to the needs of older LGBT people. Most generic service providers, particularly for older people, ignore their LGBT service users. Most generic service providers, particularly for older people, ignore their LGBT service users. The gay scene places great emphasis on youth, thereby excluding its LGBT seniors. The gay scene places great emphasis on youth, thereby excluding its LGBT seniors.

One Scene Fits All??

Past Experience Older LGBT people have lived a large part of their lives in less liberal times and their experiences have made them understandably wary and cautious. Older LGBT people have lived a large part of their lives in less liberal times and their experiences have made them understandably wary and cautious. The baby boomer generation wont have faced the same level of discrimination, therefore more likely to be out and more demanding of appropriate services The baby boomer generation wont have faced the same level of discrimination, therefore more likely to be out and more demanding of appropriate services

Background to the Project 2002 Age Concern Opening Doors conference Age Concern Opening Doors conference. Gap in service provision, recognised/responded to by gay member of staff at Age Concern Camden Gap in service provision, recognised/responded to by gay member of staff at Age Concern Camden Working group. Working group. ACE funding 2005/2006 to fund initial pilot. ACE funding 2005/2006 to fund initial pilot. Adult Social Care funding 2006/7 (Camden council). Adult Social Care funding 2006/7 (Camden council). City of London research on needs of older gay men with Polaris research (funded by Camden Council) on needs of older lesbians which led to… City of London research on needs of older gay men with Polaris research (funded by Camden Council) on needs of older lesbians which led to… Big Lottery bid proposal and submission Big Lottery bid proposal and submission

What are the aims of the project ? To reduce social isolation for older LGBT people To reduce social isolation for older LGBT people To improve the social well-being and mental health of older LGBT people To improve the social well-being and mental health of older LGBT people To provide increased support for individuals from the LGBT communities to remain independent and live at home for longer To provide increased support for individuals from the LGBT communities to remain independent and live at home for longer To increase awareness of the needs of older LGBT people within other statutory and voluntary agencies To increase awareness of the needs of older LGBT people within other statutory and voluntary agencies

How do we do this? Through holding regular social and other activities, including monthly mens, womens and mixed social events. Through holding regular social and other activities, including monthly mens, womens and mixed social events. By providing a telephone advice and signposting service. By providing a telephone advice and signposting service. Distribution of the monthly Opening Doors newsletter. Distribution of the monthly Opening Doors newsletter. By recruiting LGBT volunteers to provide befriending to older LGBT people. By recruiting LGBT volunteers to provide befriending to older LGBT people. By providing community safety surgeries and advice sessions. By providing community safety surgeries and advice sessions. By working in close partnership with many local and national agencies, and providing referrals to other relevant agencies and organisations. By working in close partnership with many local and national agencies, and providing referrals to other relevant agencies and organisations. By offering training to increase awareness of the needs of older LGBT people within statutory and voluntary agencies. By offering training to increase awareness of the needs of older LGBT people within statutory and voluntary agencies.

What kind of volunteering opportunities do we offer? Be a friendly visitor / befriender. Be a friendly visitor / befriender. Help with our groups. Help with our groups. Lead a workshop or activity group. Lead a workshop or activity group. Help with our monthly newsletters. Help with our monthly newsletters. Help with events and parties. Help with events and parties.

Current and proposed management and support of volunteers. Currently all volunteers are recruited, trained and supervised through Age Concern Camden. Currently all volunteers are recruited, trained and supervised through Age Concern Camden. However local befriending projects already in place (either AC or partners) will be supported to expand current services and offer LGBT volunteers to LGBT clients. However local befriending projects already in place (either AC or partners) will be supported to expand current services and offer LGBT volunteers to LGBT clients. Volunteers with roles directly linked to events/groups will be managed and supported by Project Coordinators. Volunteers with roles directly linked to events/groups will be managed and supported by Project Coordinators. Volunteer training on LGBT issues and awareness, assistance with recruitment and ongoing support will be provided by Project Coordinators. Volunteer training on LGBT issues and awareness, assistance with recruitment and ongoing support will be provided by Project Coordinators.

Community Safety and 3 rd Party Reporting Each local borough group will have a specific link with an appropriate LGBT LO Each local borough group will have a specific link with an appropriate LGBT LO Each group will host community safety/3 rd Party reporting speakers (e.g. Camden LGBT Forum) Each group will host community safety/3 rd Party reporting speakers (e.g. Camden LGBT Forum) Opening Doors project coordinators and volunteers will assist local LGBT LOs with community/venue outreach where appropriate Opening Doors project coordinators and volunteers will assist local LGBT LOs with community/venue outreach where appropriate

Older LGBT Health Working in partnership with The Royal Free Hospitals The Marlborough Clinic to provide a safe and confidential space for older men to discuss any sexual health concerns and problems. Working in partnership with The Royal Free Hospitals The Marlborough Clinic to provide a safe and confidential space for older men to discuss any sexual health concerns and problems. Working with local PCTs and other health services (including complementary health services) to provide information on related health topics. Working with local PCTs and other health services (including complementary health services) to provide information on related health topics.

Who could best benefit from this project? Men and women who are over the age of 50, whom identify as being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender and live, work or socialise in Camden, Hackney, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. Men and women who are over the age of 50, whom identify as being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender and live, work or socialise in Camden, Hackney, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. Older LGBT people who have little contact from others in the community. Older LGBT people who have little contact from others in the community. Vulnerable Older LGBT people who may refuse services from other agencies. Vulnerable Older LGBT people who may refuse services from other agencies. Older LGBT people who would like to meet and socialise with like-minded people. Older LGBT people who would like to meet and socialise with like-minded people. Family, friends, groups or agencies who would like more information and advice on LGBT services. Family, friends, groups or agencies who would like more information and advice on LGBT services.

London Context Population of London over state pension age 2006; 1,034,700 Estimated LGBT population over 50; between 75,000 and 100,000

Linking Up London Opening Doors Central London works geographically within the five boroughs. Opening Doors Central London works geographically within the five boroughs. However has a membership criteria of any who lives, works or socialises within the 5 boroughs. However has a membership criteria of any who lives, works or socialises within the 5 boroughs. Advising on Opening Doors West, South, North and East London. Advising on Opening Doors West, South, North and East London. How can you help? Mystery Shopping How can you help? Mystery Shopping

How can people refer to the Project? We will take referrals via and phone. All we require is the clients permission to contact them. Nick Maxwell Mens LGBT Development Co-ordinator tel: Debbie Neil Womens LGBT Development Co-ordinator tel:

Older LGBT community Celebrating Pride

Brighton GEMS hosted picnic