Introduction

Our main aims include; improving the mental health of all generations, reducing isolation and valuing all in the community.

Our work , following on from the PEC Meeting of the 2^nd May 2019, will include the commissioning of a scoping exercise to analyse what is happening in the area, bringing people of all generations together and how we involve residents of all ages to show how all are valued, develop self esteem, reduce isolation and improve mental health

This is very much looking at how we can develop our Strategy, looking at Intergenerational work much more broadly across the community, etc.[1]

Context

Big Local SW11 (BLSW11) has been funding an intergenerational programme for SW11 (primarily Latchmere Ward) since 2014.
Delivered by Women of Wandsworth (WoW) the project was developed in response to extensive local consultation, and has successfully nurtured relationships between older people and local volunteers (young people and families) to, in effect, establish ‘surrogate families’; within the limitation of sheltered housing.
BLSW11 wants to build on this success by looking at what more could be done to deepen and broaden our impact particularly in addressing isolation and loneliness, not only for older people but for anyone in our community who might benefit from community engagement across the generations.

Research

In order to progress this ambition, BLSW11 wants to commission a brief scoping exercise that will provide us with an analysis of what else is happening in the area as far as intergenerational type initiatives and/or projects are concerned, and with better evidence of the likely level of ‘demand’ or potential interest in the development of new initiatives/approaches.

Primarily a desk based research project, the scoping work should consult with a local services/agencies to seek their views and to collect data on the range and extent of local intergenerational projects. This ‘supply-side’ analysis should be matched by a ‘demand-side’ estimation of the likely extent of the ‘problem’ of isolation and loneliness in SW11.
In addition to the supply/demand analysis we would like some ‘good practice’ examples of successful intergenerational projects (derived from web based research) that specifically address isolation and loneliness, to include (but not limited to if other data is available):

• Older people
• Single Parents
• Inward Migrants
• LGTB people
• Disabled people

In terms of the Supply/Demand analysis we would expect the successful researcher to consult with the following organisations that are known to have a direct or associated interest in intergenerational issues.

• Caius House
• Carney’s Community
• The Clinical Commissioning Group
• Health Authority
• Kambala Residents Association
• Katherine Low Centre
• Providence House
• LB Wandsworth – Housing Needs Assessment; Adult Social Care
• Women of Wandsworth
• Other’s that may be suggested during the course of the research

For intergenerational Issues

• What is happening?
• Where?
• By whom?
• Who are the beneficiaries?

What is the extent of the problem of loneliness and isolation in SW11?

• How many people?
• Where do they live?
• What are their circumstances?

Timetable and Budget

We would like the scoping report to be completed by the end of August 2019
We have estimated the budget at £200 per day as follows:

We expect some flexibility in the delivery of this scoping work, to allow for the possibility of at least one presentation to the BLSW11 Partnership.

BLSW11 Intergeneration Lead: Wendy Speck (June 2019).

Appendix 1: Intergenerational Work and Our Strategy

This commission has been produced by the BLSW11 Intergenerational Committee – Wendy Speck (Chair), Marlene Price, Donna Barham and Senia Dedic.

During its preparation the Committee considered how this work and any resulting new BLSW11 funded initiatives could work to help deliver our three year plan and budget 2019-21.

In this regard the following issues were discussed in the expectations that they might influence the final recommendations to the Partnership Committee.

Focus: Isolation, Mental Health (Anxiety and Depression)
Approach: Community Development: Youth driven and mobilising volunteers
Time scale: Three Years
Budget: Initially £10k a year but will seek leveraged funding from partners and may request BLSW11 to vie funds from under spend.

Intergenerational work: While we want to build on what went before we do not want to be distracted by the ‘language’ of intergenerational work.

We are aware that there many different approaches to tacking isolation and mental health issues, some intergenerational, some cross-generational; some that may focus on older people, others that might direct energy towards isolated single parents and/or disabled people.
An ideal scenario would see more members of our local community becoming involved in projects and programmes that address isolation, and mental health issues in our patch.