YMCA Lincolnshire’s TED (Talk, Eat, Drink) in East Lindsey programme is one of 14 Ageing Better programmes across England, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund

It delivers from Louth, Mablethorpe and Skegness to villages and sparsely-populated rural areas

TED has reduced social isolation and loneliness in those aged 50 and over. It commissions delivery partners on specialist projects including Digital Skills, Citizens Advice and activities for male carers. TED also delivers a Befriending Service, Friendship Groups and an Age-friendly Business Award.

With the programme set to end at the end of March, YMCA Lincolnshire’s Communities team held a TED Celebration Event at Embassy Theatre, Skegness on Wednesday 10 March. Volunteers, service users and delivery partners enjoyed an afternoon of reflection and appreciation, as Councillor William Gray praised the success of the programme.

The team has risen to the challenges these rural and coastal communities have presented, supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of older people in East Lindsey. This was key during a pandemic which required a shift to different methods of delivery.

Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Chris Whitty’s 2021 Annual Report, focusing on Health in Coastal Communities, referred to TED’s impact in communities across East Lindsey. It has been a catalyst for change in the district, contributing to the evidence base and best practice when working with ageing communities.

The sparsest coastal areas struggle to access services and public transport links are often poor. This can leave those aged 50 and over even more physically and emotionally isolated. They may feel ‘trapped’ where they live, with limited chances to move away or see other places. The Centre for Towns added in 2020 that “coastal towns are the most isolated of all place types.”

The Report showed how TED had mitigated COVID-19’s impact on coastal communities in East Lindsey, by providing connection and preventing isolation.

Whilst the programme ends in March 2022, YMCA Lincolnshire’s Communities team is well-placed to continue making a positive impact on residents’ lives. The team hopes this recognition will lead to similar partnerships in the future.

Over one-third of East Lindsey’s population is over 60, with 80 per cent living in rural areas. Thus, TED’s work in the district has been appropriate, targeted and needed.

In 2020 an Ageing without Children online support group was established, led by a person with lived experience and facilitated by stakeholders. This recognised recent lockdowns left older people relying on family connections and presented yet another challenge for those living alone.

A collaboration with the Healthy Ageing Research Group at the University of Lincoln has researched the experiences of people ageing without children in East Lindsey. This work showed how social connections can positively affect mental and physical health and raise awareness of health challenges relating to isolation and loneliness.

YMCA Lincolnshire’s Communities team is using lessons learnt from TED to inform future projects that will engage ageing communities across Lincolnshire.