engAGE-ing with older people in Ardwick and Longsight

Please note: this post is 28 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

We wanted to celebrate our time as part of the engAGE partnership, which is coming to an end after a fun and eventful year! engAGE enables older people in Ardwick and Longsight to get involved in social activities, make new friends and feel healthier and happier. You can read more about the partnership here.

Through engAGE we work with three wonderful local partners: Ananna (Manchester Bangladeshi Women’s Organisation), Together Dementia Support and TLC St Luke’s (mental health focus), and are supported by Manchester City Council and Buzz (Manchester Health and Wellbeing Service). Each organisation has their own specific focus all have our different specific focuses and our values are aligned. We all recognise the value of connection, friendship and community in improving mental health. 

Through the partnership, we’ve taken part in community events, supported older people into our programmes and referred into  our partners’ organisations, and shared countless resources and recommendations.

In March, we joined up with Playlist for Life, who use music as a wellbeing tool primarily for people with dementia, for a playlist creation session with 20 staff, volunteers and community members from different organisations. We invited some of our older neighbours to compile playlists of songs that are meaningful for them and help them feel connected to their past - a bit like our regular Desert Island Discs Social Club, but with a playlist to take home and listen to on repeat!  

In July, we had an engAGE stall at the Wellbeing Weekender organised by Ardwick’s ARMR Store- check them out if you’re a fan of healthy, plant-based Caribbean food (who isn’t?). It was a fun day of farm animals, food stalls and face painting, where we used conversation prompts to chat to local older and younger residents and tell them about our work. 

Older neighbour Celia (78), who lives in Ardwick, was referred to us through one of our engAGE partners. Celia has now been introduced to new pal Naomi (27) for weekly calls and visits through our Love Your Neighbour programme. Celia is really happy with the new friendship and told us: “It's really good to have a chat, we talk about all sorts; recently we chatted about stuff on TV and the Women's Euros (I'd rather they win over the men!) It's been really good, she is a really nice girl, it's been nice getting to know a new face.”

We also spoke to one of our partners, TLC St Luke’s, about the impact of engAGE on their services and clients. Diane Russell, Drop-in Project Manager, said: “Working closely with local community partners through the engAge partnership has been positive for TLC St Luke's, as it has opened new referral pathways and additional opportunities for our participants.”

Yuen Ling, Service Administrator, summarised the impact nicely: "The events have had a significant impact on our clients’ wellbeing and they are hoping for more in the future".

We have enjoyed working alongside Diane, Yuen and all our other partners. As an organisation that works across the city of Manchester, it’s been a privilege to spend time ‘zooming in’ on Ardwick and Longsight, by working with and learning from organisations rooted in those communities. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our connections with neighbours and partners in these areas.