Our projects

Our Programme

BAB is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to develop and deliver a programme that identifies the best ways of reducing the isolation and loneliness of older people in the city.

There are many life changes that can contribute to a person’s isolation and factors that can make someone feel lonely. The BAB programme has been designed to take different approaches to the problem, testing ideas and improving delivery from what we learn. 

The four main themes of work are:

1. Creating the Conditions to reduce and prevent loneliness

2. Identifying and Informing older people at risk of loneliness

3. Working with Communities to increase the services and activities available

4. Supporting Individuals to live fulfilling lives

         

Outcomes

Bristol Ageing Better is working towards four ambitious outcomes by 2020. 

More older people... 

• Have the amount and type of social contact that they want to reduce isolation and loneliness. 
• Can influence decisions that affect their local area and how services are designed and delivered. 
• Are able to contribute to their community through such mechanisms as volunteering, belonging to a forum, steering group or other activity. 

Bristol Ageing Better...

• Uses the evidence collected to influence and inform decision makers to ensure that future services in Bristol are better planned and more effective in reducing loneliness and social isolation. 

A number of projects within the programme have been specifically designed to work with older people who, research tells us, are at particular risk of isolation and loneliness in later life: 

• People over 85
• People of Black and Minority Ethnicity
• People who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender
• Carers
• People who have been bereaved
• People with sensory loss
• People with alcohol and substance misuse issues
• People in care homes
• People living with dementia

Read about what we achieved between our first and our fourth year here