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The new normal: Delivering your services to older people in 2021

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The first lockdown in March 2020 created a challenge for organisations that deliver activities and support for older people. Their clients were vulnerable, not only to the virus but also to isolation and loneliness. Some also had limited access to internet. Statutory support services were not able to deliver the support as before, and charities and voluntary organisations saw a need to continue services, while navigating changing risk assessments and ongoing uncertainty.

We spoke to eight organisations about how they adjusted their service provision to ensure they could continue to support their clients.

Key learning

These are the key learning from our interviews with activity providers.

1. Communicate

  • Communicate with your staff and support them, so they can continue to support your clients.
  • Communicate with your clients and listen to them.  
  • Engage with volunteers, even if volunteering isn’t possible during lockdowns.

2. Plan new ways to deliver your activities

  • Talk to your clients to find out what support they need in the new situation.
  • Network and collaborate with other organisations.

3. Just do… something!

  • Start with delivering something, to ensure your clients have ongoing support.
  • Try new things – including delivering activities online. But remember that not everyone will have online access, so consider other approaches too.

4. Apply for funding to support your work

  • There is funding available to support adaptations and to continue service provision in these changing circumstances.

You can download our key learning factsheet here:

SRP-New-Normal-Lessons-learned-2021Download
Music session by String of Hearts CIC before lockdowns (image by String of Hearts).

Case studies

The case studies will be published in our blog during winter 2021. You can read them here:

Noah’s A.R.T: From dog assisted befriending to postal service to keep connected with isolated older people in Tameside

String of Hearts: Providing connections for isolated older adults in Trafford and Manchester through creative music making online and over the phone

Small Things Creative Projects: Using creative activities to remotely connect with people living with dementia

Dementia Support Service at Age UK Salford: Finding ways to support people living with dementia and their carers during lockdowns

Made By Mortals: Delivering music theatre workshops through immersive podcast adventures

Live Music Now: Creating online resources for care homes and others to use during lockdowns

Take part in this study

We also want to hear from other activity providers about your experiences of delivering activities to older people during the COVID-19 restrictions.

If you work or volunteer with an organisation that delivers activities to older people, you can fill our short survey here (it only takes a few minutes to fill in).

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Latest

  • Live Music Now: Creating online resources for care homes and others to use during lockdowns March 3, 2021
  • Made By Mortals: Delivering music theatre workshops through immersive podcast adventures March 3, 2021
  • Dementia Support Service at Age UK Salford: Finding ways to support people living with dementia and their carers during lockdowns February 24, 2021
  • Small Things Creative Projects: Using creative activities to remotely connect with people living with dementia February 12, 2021
  • String of Hearts: Providing connections for isolated older adults in Trafford and Manchester through creative music making online and over the phone February 3, 2021

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Activity Providers (2) Carers (1) Covid-19 (1) Creative Activities (2) Dementia (2) Evaluation (4) Free resources (2) Free support (2) Funding application (1) Isolation (2) Music (2) Older People (6) Research methods (2) SRP publications (3) Therapy Animals (1) Volunteering (2)

Who We Are

We are a profit-for-purpose consultancy that offers various evaluation and research packages to work around your organisation’s needs. We specialise in gathering meaningful and relevant evidence that demonstrates the impact of your work. We can also help you with funding bids for activities and other projects, and provide training and evaluation capacity building.  Read more >

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Latest from the Blog

  • Live Music Now: Creating online resources for care homes and others to use during lockdowns
  • Made By Mortals: Delivering music theatre workshops through immersive podcast adventures
  • Dementia Support Service at Age UK Salford: Finding ways to support people living with dementia and their carers during lockdowns
  • Small Things Creative Projects: Using creative activities to remotely connect with people living with dementia
  • String of Hearts: Providing connections for isolated older adults in Trafford and Manchester through creative music making online and over the phone

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