[WiLT] Comic Relief - Older People's Programme - 30th April 2010

[WiL Admin]

Comic Relief - Older People's Programme

The numbers of older people are set to rise over the next twenty years and these
demographic changes will significantly alter the balance of the population.

Whilst they recognise that older people are a diverse group and have different
lifestyles, abilities and needs, we believe that the one thing they have in
common is a wealth of skills and experience that can enrich the communities in
which they live. Older people can be a great resource both to themselves and to
their communities and through this programme they want to ensure that this is
recognised, valued and further enhanced.

Comic Relief has a long standing commitment to working with older people. Our
focus has been on ensuring the needs of older people are met, their rights
upheld and their views respected.

This programme is built around supporting older people to bring positive change
to their communities, enabling them to contribute their time, energy and skills
to those individuals who need it most. We know that encouraging participation
has direct health benefits and can provide older people with opportunities for
social engagement and building networks.

They are able to support applications from a range of organisations including
self help and community groups, voluntary organisations, community interest
companies and social enterprises who are targeting their work at older people
aged 65 and over.

Whilst we welcome applications from all sections of the community, we are
particularly keen to make sure our funding reaches those who are often missed
out, such as older people from Black and minority ethnic communities, lesbians,
gay men, bisexual or transgendered people and older men for example. So, we
particularly encourage applications for work targeted at these and other groups
who may face additional disadvantage.

They want to fund a broad range of projects where there is clear evidence of:
* Older people being actively engaged in developing and planning the work;
* Older people being actively involved in the delivery of the work through their
role as mentors, peer supporters or advocates; and

How the project will lead to new ways of working.

Examples of the work we are looking to fund include projects where older people
are:
* Acting as mentors to vulnerable young people (for example in schools or with
young offenders)
* Giving support to their peers who may be isolated (through telephone or
visiting schemes). Please note that individual lunch clubs or services providing
only social or recreational activities do not fit the programme
* Acting as advocates around the needs and rights of those with caring duties
* Running social enterprises.

They are interested in supporting applications which will help us understand
more about:
* The best ways older people can bring about change in their communities
* The added value of projects being led and delivered by older people
* The most effective ways of sharing innovative practice in meeting older people
's needs.

The deadline for submitting your application is 30 April 2010.

UK Grants Team, Comic Relief, 5th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP
Tel: 020 7820 5555
Fax: 020 7820 5500
Minicom: 020 7820 5579
Email: ukgrants at comicrelief.com

Website: http://www.comicrelief.com/apply_for_a_grant/uk/olderpeople