Date: 26th January 2022

Subject: Older People in Rural Areas

Chair: Kerry Booth, Deputy Chief Executive, Rural Services Network

- To download the Agenda for this seminar click here

- To view the introduction from the RSN click here

- To download the Learning Outcomes from this seminar click here

Speakers:

• Jane Adams, YMCA Programme Manager (TED), YMCA Lincolnshire & Professor Mo Ray, University of Lincoln

  "Older People In Rural Areas: Insights from TED in East Lindsey"

  - Download the presentation here

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• Jenny Lippiatt, Professionals and Practice Programme Mgr, Age UK

  "The impact of COVID-19 on older people’s physical and mental health: third wave research findings"

  - Download the presentation here

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• Richard McKie, Chair, Godolphin Cross Community Association

  "Godolphin Cross Community Association"

  - Download the presentation here

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Learning Outcomes

Examples of Good Practice

• Professor Mo Ray’s work on older people self-funding care.
• East Suffolk Grandpad Loan Scheme reconnecting older people by loaning them suitable IT equipment.
• The Petersfield Community Resource Hub.
• Community Catalysts help local people to deliver sustainable care and health services to their local community.
• Living Memories – online film archive helping users to trigger memories and start conversations.
• Western Power Community Matters grant fund, awarded £500,000 in grants from their In This Together – Community Fund to help communities across their regions affected by Coronavirus and have pledged a further £250,000 to provide support during the pandemic.
• Getting extra help with the Priority Services Register. See your local gas, electricity, and water companies’ website for information on their registers.

Key Learning Points

T.E.D Ageing Better Project in East Lindsey

• TED – Talk East Drink programme. Part of the Ageing Better, National Lottery funded project. East Lindsey first district to join UK Network.
• For every £1 invested there is a social value return of £5.52.
• Chief Medical Officer’s annual report 2021 cites TED as a blueprint for tackling loneliness and social isolation: Health in coastal communities.
• Ageing without children in rural Lincolnshire: an exploratory study.

Research into the Impact of Covid-19 on Older People

• Some results from research showed that during Covid-19, physical health: 23% became less fit, 33% more anxious, 23% living with pain.
• Mental health research: 41% lonely, Dementia sped up, increase in depression.
• Carers more isolated and struggling with greater burden of caring.
• Older people wanting to be fitter but finding it hard to get active, loss of confidence. Want better access to health services and face-to-face visits.
• Age UK: Housing in Later life report (2014).
• Rural Shop Report 2022 by Association of Convenience Stores -informal networks.
• Result was 32% feeling positive and hopeful for the future but a long way to go for others.
• Age UK Research will be published once decided on how to best show the data/topics.

Regeneration of Godolphin Cross

• Godolphin Cross had lost shops, limited facilities, and poor bus services. Opportunity to buy former chapel and create a community hub. 
• Local people raised funds to buy and refurbish e.g., solar panels, catering kitchen, accessibility entrance.
• Mix of paid staff and volunteers – a good position to be in.
• Cornwall Community Foundation provided support.
• Successful bid to Prince’s Countryside Fund.
• Successful Farmers’ Market and Post Office run by Association.
• Post Office won’t pay rent to continue outreach service, but the service is well used by community. The Association subsidises the Post Office and pays the rent.
• Acknowledgement needed of the voluntary sector and its capabilities.
• Current volunteers are older and need next round of people to step forward.
• Richard happy if anyone want to contact him: chair@godolphincross.community.

Open Forum Discussion

• Bank Hubs have been used in some rural areas to support banking in local communities.
• Important to understand data at the right levels e.g., Chief Medical Officer’s annual report mentioned in TED presentation.
• Western Power Distribution can support elderly residents if they have a power cut. If you want to help, sign up to Priority Services Register. Check out website for more info or email njohnson@westernpower.co.uk.

Any Other Key Outcomes from the Seminar

RSN’s Revitalising Rural Campaign  Specific Policy Asks of the Government is for fairer distribution of national resources to rural areas and more nuanced national policies. There are 14 Chapters in the campaign; three of them look specifically at  Managing a Rural Older Population, Access to Health and Care and Parish Councils and Rural Community Action.

As new Government strategies are announced, RSN puts them through a “Rural Lens Review” which adds depth and texture to the Policy Asks. A fresh crosscut of the Revitalising document being worked on will look in more depth at younger people. It will also look at the impact of various issues on younger people and develop case studies (personal experiences) rather than dry policy discussions. One of these reviews looks at the Adult Social Care Reform White Paper.

Case Studies: Please complete the form in the link and email it through to us to help inform our Revitalising Rural Campaign but to also highlight to Government the impact of policy decision making.

Who are the Rural Services Network? Please click here to find out.

Analysis and Commentary pieces for Rural Services Network written by Jessica Sellick, Researcher at Rose Regeneration: Ageing in place: how can we ensure rural residents have choice, control and support to lead healthy, independent lives?

Economy Insights, produced by the RSN, provides important markers as to the state of the economy for our member authorities. It explores a wide range of subjects, setting out data and statistics at Local Authority level allowing comparisons to be made with other rural areas. Please click here to access Economy Insights.

Useful links to share

• Joint report by County Council Network & the Rural Services Network – “The State of Care in County & Rural Areas”.
• NICRE have published this research into the Impact of the pandemic on rural shopping habits and encouraging older shoppers back in store.
• The State of Rural Services Report 2021 (published in January 2022) by Rural England CIC, explores the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on service provision in rural areas of England.

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