Ageing Better in Birmingham began in 2015 to reduce loneliness and social isolation amongst people over 50 and to help them to live fulfilling lives. It was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and was one of 14 Ageing Better programmes in England working to explore what works in reducing loneliness and isolation through a test and learn approach.
It was delivered by a partnership of organisations across the city, led by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC). It built upon the strengths and skills of individuals and groups to help create sustainable change within communities.
Together, we reached over 10,300 people across the city.
Here you can find out more about what the programme achieved, information about social isolation and loneliness in Birmingham and also resources to support the programme's legacy.
Have a browse!
Ageing Better in Birmingham 2015 -2022 Infographic
Find out how we worked to get Birmingham's older citizens connected
Useful resources & learning
Ageing Better in Birmingham was a programme that aimed to reduce loneliness and social isolation among people over 50 across the city. It was built upon the strengths and skills of individuals and groups to create sustainable change within communities.
The programme was delivered by a partnership of voluntary and community sector organisations led by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and it was part of Ageing Better, a programme set up by The National Lottery Community Fund. Ageing Better aimed to develop creative ways for people aged over 50 to be actively involved in their local communities, helping to combat social isolation and loneliness. It was one of five major programmes set up by The National Lottery Community Fund to test and learn from new approaches to designing services that aimed to make people’s lives healthier and happier.
The programme engaged with 9,000 people reflective of the 'super diversity' of Birmingham. Participants supported each other out of loneliness and isolation in a way that was verified by independent evaluation and the programme left a transformed landscape for the city. Read more about Age-friendly Birmingham and Neighbourhood Network Schemes.
Supporting people to make social connections and friendships is an important way to ensure sustainable outcomes from programmes like Ageing Better in Birmingham that seek to reduce loneliness and social isolation. Read more
This report draws together key findings from across the five years of Ageing Better in Birmingham programme evaluation to date. Read more
A Report of the Development and Impact of a B.A.M.E. partnership in tackling social isolation amongst older people in Camden. Read more
How do I help people who are lonely and socially isolated in Birmingham? Read more
Videos on co-production, with learning from Birmingham Read more
The Changing Practice in Adult Social Care Provision project aimed to raise awareness of LGBT equality and inclusion and promote the adoption of best practice in Adult Social Care for older LGBT people Read more
A review of a campaign that aimed to shine a light on Birmingham's older LGBT+ community. Read more
The evaluation provides a primarily qualitative narrative that explores the contribution of the Local Action Plan project to the wider Ageing Better in Birmingham programme aims. Read more
Walking maps around Tyburn, an outer-city suburb north-east of the city centre. Read more
Explanation of what digital tools community groups can use to connect or work collaboratively online. Read more
Learning about funding projects focusing on digital connectedness through micro-funding. Read more
A brief overview of Ageing Better in Birmingham and how the programme was co-produced and delivered with older people Read more
About Ageing Better in Birmingham (2015-2022) Read more
The Age-friendly Tyburn project was a two-year initiative to enable the delivery of an Age-friendly Tyburn neighbourhood. Read more
Connecting with older people online Read more
Acocks Green Men in Sheds, has helped not only to improve the lives of older people, but also to benefit the wider community. Read more
This briefing explores impact from the perspective of statutory bodies (local authorities and healthcare providers) as well as the wider voluntary and community sector (VCS). Read more
The role of local organisations in reducing loneliness and social isolation Read more
Women-only swimming lessons: a case study from Birmingham Read more
Bringing different ages together through shared activities. Read more
Working together to build an activity or service in this way is often called ‘co-production’ Read more
By harnessing active citizenship, we can reduce isolation among people over 50 and prevent it happening in the future Read more
Setting up a local group or activity? Read this! Read more
Practical solutions for overcoming barriers to joining activities in older age Read more