ILC (International Longevity Centre) - Achievements - Upstream

ILC (International Longevity Centre)

In 2007 Upstream contributed a paper to the ILC on healthy communities. Called ‘Unlocking the Community’, the paper was based on Upstream’s experience and looked at how the capacity of older people for engagement in their local community might be better encouraged. The paper sets out a real-life model of self-organising community groups that help vulnerable older people and collaborate with health professionals. The paper describes how older people themselves are engaged in creating self-organising groups in the community that promote active ageing and social participation. It goes on to show how this model has been integrated with the work of local health and care authorities and professionals. Finally, the papers asks, given that older people increasingly have the tools, motivation and good-health for organising in their own community, is this the way forward?

See www.ilcuk.org.uk