CITY OF BRISTOL ISOLATION TO INCLUSION (I2I) ACTION PLAN

ISOLATION TO INCLUSION Bristol recognises that isolation and social exclusion amongst older people are very serious issues and are particularly difficult for older people with dementia or older people from black or other minority ethnic communities. Exclusion can be particularly prevalent amongst these groups. That is why the City’s Older People’s Partnership Board has agreed to take forward the initiatives developed by the I2I project, as well as broader innovative methods of improving the quality of life generally for older people.

NATURE OF ‘ISOLATION’/SOCIAL EXCLUSION Isolation occurs: “…..when a person lack one or a number of those factors important for a good quality of life…..characterised by deprivation and the lack of access to social networks, activities and services………”

DIMENSIONS Exclusion from social relations Exclusion from cultural activities Exclusion from civic participation Exclusion from basic services Exclusion from neighbourhood Exclusion from financial products Exclusion from material consumption

BoME ISSUES Language problems Stigma/cultural sensitivity Civil participation Lack of specialist provision Suitable housing

DEMENTIA: ISSUES  Fear and distress with diagnosis  Lack of knowledge about support  Barriers to recognition and diagnosis  ‘social distancing’ by others

THE CASE FOR INCLUSION

POLICIES FOR OLDER PEOPLE UK NAP Bristol Older People’s Forum’s Pensioners’ Charter Bristol’s Joint Commissioning Strategy for Services for Older People 2005 – 2008 Local Area Agreements Improving the Quality of Life for Older People Strategy

BRISTOL I2I ACTION COMMITTEE Bristol City Council (Adult Community Care) Age Concern The Care Forum ‘Carers’ Voice/Princess Royal Carers Trust Dementia Voice Arthritis Care Royal National Institute for the Blind The Pensions Service Bristol Primary Care Trust Bristol Older People’s Forum Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group University of West Of England (Health & Social Care) Bristol BME Elders’ Forum The Experience Corps

FOCUS OF BRISTOL ACTION PLAN The Bristol Older People’s Partnership Board agreed to implement four innovative I2I projects that are designed to test new ways of minimising social isolation within the target groups. Their objective is to tackle four of the key dimensions associated with the exclusion of older people from black and other minority ethnic (BOME) communities and older people with dementia:

BRISTOL I2I PROJECTS Promoting good mental health and tackling the stigma in some BME communities which can prevent people receiving timely help. Developing new environments and ways of supporting people with mild to moderate dementia, especially those who have recently been diagnosed. Supporting carers is crucial here as well

BRISTOL I2I PROJECTS First Contact Checklist. Making the connections between different agencies so that when they do come into contact with an isolated older person a more ‘holistic’ response to their needs can be delivered Making a Positive Contribution – LinkAge Enabling older people themselves to move from isolation towards making a positive contribution to their peers and others in the community – in every sense the true meaning of ‘inclusion’

PROMOTING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH &TACKLING STIGMA Target Group: elders from BME communities, both with and without mental health needs, families & carers Description: to promote good mental health for elders, understand and counter barriers to elders from some BME communities seeking and receiving effective support. Outcomes: to contribute towards older people being as mentally and emotionally healthy & independent as they can be by having timely access to assessment and services

DEMENTIA CAFE Target Group: Elders with mild/moderate dementia Description: Provision of informal ‘café-style’ environment where older people with dementia, and carers, can meet in a relaxed non-stigmatised area. Also enables health and social care professionals to provide data on range of support services available. Outcomes: Support of elders with dementia so that they can be healthy & independent. Help them manage long term health conditions, sustain and develop relationships, simplify access to services, manage personal risk, and free them from abuse and harassment. Assists carers too.

FIRST CONTACT CHECKLIST Target Group: Elders from BoME communities and those with dementia Description: Some elders are isolated, most receive visits from different public agencies, including voluntary organisations, but these tend to focus or their area of work. Project will develop simple mechanism to enable staff coming into contact with elders to identify risk, check whether there is a need for help in another area and refer to appropriate agency so need is addressed. Outcomes: better safety, prolong independence, increased access to services, information and advice, manage risk, maximise eligible benefits.

LINKAGE Target Group: Elders, including those from BoME communities Description: Develop infrastructure to recruit, train, support and provide opportunities for elders to engage in range of activities which makes a positive contribution to their communities thus increasing their quality of life. Outcomes: Links older people, the community and the generations. Improves services. Contributes to elders being able to participate and live more through volunteering and employment and to children and young people benefiting from experience of elders

BRISTOL I2I PROJECT BRIEFS The common theme running throughout all four projects is about empowering older people and increasing the choice and control they have over their situation. Inclusion will only be achieved if elders are supported in this way

BRISTOL I2I PROJECT The Bristol Older People’s Partnership Board will determine which which authority, local organisation or body would be best placed to lead on each project’s implementation; the most appropriate stakeholders for each particular initiative; and, importantly, the detailed resource implications of each measure.