We came away inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment of the Leeds Partnership, reassured that our Ageing Well service was providing similar local support to Leeds Neighbourhood Networks, and motivated to make a number of changes to our programme.
The main changes we are introducing, have a common theme around engaging stakeholders, including:
- Reinstating regular ‘Coffee and Conversation’ engagement events with residents and service providers.
- A newsletter for Age and Dementia Friendly businesses.
- Encouraging ownership of actions from members of our Age and Dementia Planning Group through various methods, such as sending out an action card about achievements and challenges to complete before meetings and a flash update at each meeting on progress and support needed.
The visit enabled me to think more strategically about finding and acting upon opportunities to raise awareness around our Age and Dementia Friendly work. For example, this could be through an age and dementia friendly audit of a train station, making every opportunity count with promoting the business scheme, or finding the gatekeeper at the business you are hoping to recruit.
Leeds has made great progress rolling out their business scheme to GPs and this has encouraged me to prioritise this action on our action plan.
Our trip also illustrated to me the strength of support provided by the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities. I have worked in a number of different fields, and never before have I had the level of support provided by this network through peer calls, sharing of resources, publications, webinars, action learning, visits and so much more. And like many in the network I am often at my most inspired on a Thursday morning.
This visit was funded through the Age-friendly Inquiry visit scheme, available to members of the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities. Find out more about joining the network.