How Does It Work?
Consultation Events
The mentoring approach brings consultation with older people into their everyday lives. This way those who do not normally wish to be involved in formal consultations, or are not able to do so, enjoy the opportunity to discuss important issues and have their comments heard. These ‘consultation conversations’ help people to influence what is provided by local services and how those services are delivered; people feel they can make a difference to their own lives. Mentors use the results to plan activities that people want and the way in which they want to develop their sustainable groups. Two examples of recent consultation events are:
Boniface Consultation Event, October 2006
Held in Crediton’s Boniface Centre to inform Devon’s strategy for older people and Devon’s successful bid for Partnerships for Older People Projects funding. 26 people came from surrounding villages and towns, with the help of co-ordinated transport arrangements. Mentors and visiting artists facilitated ‘taster sessions’ including felt-making, wire sculpture, weaving, painting, printing, writing and other crafts. Lunch was made by participants at the venue, with fresh-made soup, bread and apple pie.
Everyone, including a number of professionals from county and community services, produced finished pieces of work that were assembled to make a tree sculpture on the theme of ‘Nature’s Bounty’. The ‘hands-on’ activities made for easy social exchange in which the informal questionnaire was readily taken on board and provoked enthusiastic debate at the different tables. People felt ‘ownership’ of the process and welcomed the chance to involve visiting professionals in practical activities and vigorous conversation.
Tiverton canal barge trip, July 2006
An afternoon trip for 50 participants was arranged by mentors, with participants from several activity groups, interested individuals and carers. Transport was organised wherever needed. Everyone was provided with sketchbooks, notebooks and cream tea, with a prompt folder of suggestions on what to look out for along the canal. Mentors encouraged discussion and involvement even by those who had never written or sketched before, and everyone had a go at something.
The consultation questionnaire had been circulated in advance and people were able to chat about it at leisure. There were three aims for the event: to provide an enjoyable and stimulating day out; to enable people to gather raw material for creative projects in their groups and at home during the winter; and to discuss Upstream’s proposal for extending its activities into more isolated villages with a ‘Community Start Van’ and intergenerational groups that would encourage older people to become involved in creative activities in the context of the whole community.
Consultation events (responses)
| Boniface Consultation October 2006 |
Sample Responses | % Responses |
| Do you enjoy life? | 89% said YES | |
| Are there any general reasons for ‘Yes’ or ‘No’? | ‘I am very lucky – although I have had illness I still do a lot and there is more I want to do.’ ‘Being able to be active, keeping occupied with Upstream.’ | |
| What do you do to keep active; mentally, physically and socially? | New challenges, creative and practical activities, theology course, learning and reciting jokes; walking, housework, gardening; joining groups, mixing with folks, helping to run local clubs. | |
| What do you want most out of local health and social care services? | Preventative care, more things to be active and social interaction, companionship, help with housework and home when I need it, more disabled parking spaces. | |
| Could anything else be provided by health and social care services that is not provided already? | More help for older people acting as carers for disabled spouses, media input for events for all to join in social activities, cooking lessons, more rural transport, Well Woman Clinic. | |
| Do you feel you can make a difference to local health and socialcare services, how delivered and what they consist of? | 61% said NO | |
| Would you like your ‘say’ to make a greater difference? | 44% said YES | |
| Would you like more services and health activities provided in the local community rather than through GP surgeries, etc.? | 67% said YES | |
| If there was money for (A) OR (B), which might you choose: (A) stimulating activity that might help you enjoy life more? (B) medical health needs that might help you live longer? | 67% said (A) |
Tiverton Canal Barge Trip Consultation, July 2006:
Would you like the ‘Start Van’ to visit your village or community? Yes 83%
Materials on loan from the ‘Start Van’? Yes 92%
Support for a new activity and social group? Yes 100%
Advice on keeping a group going in the future? Yes 88%
Occasional ongoing support on monthly or bi-monthly basis? Yes 92%
More contact between different generations? Yes 83%
More involvement with your community? Yes 75%
More information about local services? Yes 79%
What activities might you be interested in, for example?
Socialising and meeting other people? Yes 92%
Learning new creative activities or crafts for fun? Yes 92%
Taking part in a craft or creative activity you are confident in? Yes 88%
Help with light gardening, sharing gardening ideas? Yes 58%
Light exercise (Tai chi, chair yoga, walk and talk, dance)? Yes 88%
Local history: reminiscence, photos, objects, writing? Yes 67%
Basic IT (computers and the internet at any level of ability)? Yes 46%
Cooking and healthy eating? Yes 58%
