The Challenge
There was very little happening for older residents on a large Cheltenham estate, until the Older and Bolder campaign started.

Developing the idea
Members of an established Social Art Group considered how they could broaden their activities programme.

The Community Project Workers made initial contact by inviting local residents to a tea morning once a week. This soon led to a day-trip. These are now regular events.

The programme has expanded to include line dancing, gentle exercise and regular social gatherings.

The Neighbourhood Project philosophy is to cater for all age groups, and older people are well represented on the management committee so they can put forward ideas and suggestions - an idea that would work in any community.

Making it happen
With an interest group firmly established the local health visitor, Pat Howard capitalised on this to get the message across about osteoporosis - so she ran a short course called Hips, Trips and Safety in the Home.

Members of Older and Bolder enjoy a gentle exercise class

From that, a discussion arose about exercise and its provision for older people. As a result, a weekly gentle exercise class was started for which participants paid £1.

Members of the group say that as a result of regular gentle exercise they are more flexible, have less pain in the joints and find it easier to breathe. A series of talks covering safety in the home, footcare etc were also arranged.

Other links were made with the local primary school and a session arranged with older people who shared their memories about toys and games with the children.

The local church has now picked up on the idea and has organised 'Trip Down Memory Lane' events. Most of the ideas come from the group themselves and need very little funding.

Key tips

• Find out what people are interested in
• Make contact with interested parties - health visitor, chiropodist, the local college
• The venue has to be local - because the majority don't drive - and accessible for older people. Try and make it central, eg village hall, scout hall, church hall
• The challenge is to attract older men - as they have proved more difficult to encourage

Contact - Whaddon, Lynworth & Priors Neighbourhood Project 01242 516960. See also Gloucestershire Neighbourhood Projects Network

Who can help?

Key organisations that could offer help and support in the development of your ideas. Their details can be found in the Contacts Directory. Further information on funding sources is available from Gloucestershire County Council's Economic Development Unit on 01452 425702.