Ageing Better Programme

Age Friendly Island is part of Ageing Better, a programme set up by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. 

Ageing Better aims to develop creative ways for older people to be actively involved in their local communities, helping to combat social isolation and loneliness.

Age Friendly Island Strategic Project delivered by Age UK Isle of Wight and Community Action Isle of Wight

The Age Friendly Island strategic project is working with the World Health Organisation’s ‘Guide to Age Friendly Cities’ and the Isle of Wight has become the first rural area in the UK to become Age Friendly. Age UK Isle of Wight and Community Action IW are working to create an environment where the community is set up to help older people live safely, enjoy good health and stay locally involved. For more information please email: hello@agefriendlyisland.org or call: (01983) 525282.

Alzheimer Café’s delivered by Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight

Alzheimer café’s provide support to older people and those with early onset dementia, their carers and families in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. For more information please email: info@alzheimercafeiow.org.uk or call: (01983) 220200.

Care Navigators delivered by Age UK Isle of Wight

Care Navigators are based in GP’s surgeries and offer free and impartial advice to assist people aged 50+, as well as families and carers, with any challenges they may face. For more information please email: care.navigators@ageukiw.org.uk or call: (01983) 525282.

Digital Inclusion delivered by Age UK Isle of Wight

The Digital Inclusion Project as part of the Ageing Better programme, has been offering 1-to-1 digital support and drop in sessions for those aged 50 and over since April 2015. Demand for their services has been so great that the team has recently expanded, and the range of support has been increased. For more information email digital@ageukiw.org.uk or call: (01983) 525282.

Men in Sheds delivered by Age UK Isle of Wight

Men in Sheds is an Island-wide project providing invaluable social opportunities and peer support for men over 50. For more information please email: Lois.proir@ageukiw.org.uk or call: (01983) 525282..

Olderpreneurs delivered by the IW Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce provide support, mentoring and networking for people over the age of 50 to start their own business. For more information please email: ian.jenkins@iwchamber.co.uk or call: (01983) 520777.

SingAbout and Creative Futures delivered by Independent Arts

Independent Arts run two projects to help alleviate social isolation among older people. SingAbout provides regular weekly singing groups whilst Creative Futures uses volunteers to improve the quality of life for older people living in care homes. For more information please email: info@independentarts.org.uk or call: (01983) 822437.

Community Navigators delivered by Wight Home Care

Community Navigators tackle social isolation for adults 50+ supporting people who would like to get out to community activities.  For more information please email: dale@communitynavigators.co.uk or call: 07736 151626..

Led by Age UK Isle of Wight and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund as part of their local Ageing Better programme, Age Friendly Island is a partnership of organisations – including the police, fire service, trading standards, charities, the library service and the local council – all committed to making the Isle of Wight a great place to grow old.