Mearns and Coastal Healthy Living Network Ed Garrett Meg MacKenzie Sue Briggs

Older people in Aberdeenshire Over 75 population due to rise from 18,700 in 2011 to 42,400 in 2033 People with a stroke to rise from 3,600 in 2010 to 7,100 in 2033 People with dementia to rise from 3,200 to 6,300 in 2033 (from Aberdeenshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2012)

What is needed Change Fund Preventative work Increased community capacity Partnership working

The Healthy Living Network Started in 2002 with Big Lottery Fund money Working in Mearns area of south Aberdeenshire 2 part time members of staff Gradual expansion since 2007 – now working across Aberdeenshire 6 part time members of staff

What we do Shopping Gardening Cleaning Handyperson Exercise groups / health walks ICT groups Group for people with dementia Capacity building Lunch clubs

Learning ICT groups Capacity building Intergenerational work Informal learning Volunteers ‘I’ve learnt about older people’ ‘It’s an incentive to get out and use your talents. I’ve learnt patience and the value of what I am doing through the appreciation of others’.

How it works Community development approach Involvement of older people Team of 80 volunteers

Working together Mearns Area Partnership – history of partnership working Family Learning project

How do we know it works Outcomes based approach Two sets of Social Accounts Particular interest in the financial impact of services and activities Social Return on Investment study

Shopping service case study T. is in her 80s and has used the shopping service for 4 years. A relative used to take her out shopping but then he died and taxis were very expensive. Living in a very rural location and with limited mobility the shopping service has been ‘indispensable’ in allowing her to get to the shops once a week. Without this service, she says, she would not have been able to stay in the home she has been in for years. In addition by allowing her to have a good and varied diet the service has meant she has been able to reduce her medication. But as well as these practical aspects the shopping service and the volunteers in particular have been a crucial link with the outside world. Not able to get out any other time the shopping service has become a day out, a chance to catch up with people in the community and most importantly the value of the ongoing relationship with the volunteer.

The figures Investment: £16,447 Social value:£229, Social return ratio:13.97