1. people lives communities Not a one way street – sustainability and inclusion 11 11 2010 Marc Mordey

2. people lives communities Our values: We take a ’ life course’ approach to everything we do: life in older age is influenced by what happens to you and the choices you make throughout your life. This needs to be reflected in what public services deliver. We believe everyone matters and has a part to play. This means we need different ways to hear and respond to everyone’s individual voice. Older people with all kinds of support needs want to stay in control of their lives.This means changing the way we all think about age and ageing, and developing a much richer variety of options for support.

3. people lives communities “ The current discourse is almost silent on what happens to those who are left behind when the “talented” and “able” have sped off on the highway of success.” Stefan Collini. August 2010.

4. people lives communities “....the best ideas come from the ground up, not the top down. We know that when you give people and communities more power over their lives, more power to come together and work together to make life better – great things happen” David Cameron May 18 th 2010.

5. people lives communities Some of the issues that challenge sustainability and inclusion Climate change Unsustainable growth, as the costs outweigh the benefits Austerity measures (and the end of the credit based economy) An ageing population, with the ratio of working adults to pensioners moving from 4:1 to 2:1 by 2050. Peak Oil by 2015 and depletion of other essential minerals within 50 years Increasing inequality in the UK (See The Spirit Level, by Wilkinson and Pickett) Increasing mental ill-health and reduced well-being. See the findings of the First Triennial report of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, published in October 2010.

6. people lives communities So who is at risk of not making it into the “big tent”? Those less able to communicate and/or campaign effectively Those who are disenfranchised by technology Those restricted in mobility by physical illness and disability People who have restricted – or no –access to transport People who are in danger of being characterised as the “undeserving poor” Those who are simply too weary – by virtue of the struggle with loneliness, old age, poverty – to try and engage.

7. people lives communities So how might we ensure inclusion? 1.Think about who needs to be part of this development and get them in AT THE BEGINNING 2.Work out how to support each other in contributing and making decisions 3.Work together to understand and agree the issues that need to be addressed 4.Agree what it is that you want to be different:what success looks like from everyone’s perspective 5.Identify the resources needed to achieve these goals: do you have them? How can you get what you need? 6.Think together about what needs to happen now, in the medium and longer term. Agree who will do what, by when. 7.Take action – just do it! 8.Did you achieve the success that you wanted to? What has changed in (older) people’s lives as a result?

8. people lives communities Models for inclusion and responding to the Big Society Shared Lives Timebanking Homeshare Co-housing Micro enterprises “increasing numbers of people spending their personal budgets on the kind of support that doesn’t just result in better care, but also in new friendships, a more meaningful place within the community, and for some, a real job” (NAAPS : ‘Cuts or Putting People First’)

9. people lives communities A vision for the future (and for now.) “..we need to move to a situation where individuals are valued for their practical achievements, where mutual dependency amongst adults is recognised, and where users/clients are empowered to engage with providers as equals. ‘Otherness’ should not be seen as a threat, nor does it need to be understood, but simply respected and accepted.” Charlie Mason. September 2010.

10. people lives communities “ If I feed people they call me a saint. If I ask why people have no food they call me a communist.” Archbishop Oscar Romero (El Salvador) When addressing inclusion and sustainability, bear in mind the perceptions of the balance of power. Let’s ensure that it is not only those with “sharp elbows” who flourish and prosper, but also those with “dodgy knees” And let’s be prepared to ask the testing questions – Who’s not here who ought to be here? What does sustainability mean for us, and for the people we serve?

11. people lives communities And finally – remember – “ NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US”