Release date: 18/02/2011
Contact: Ian Sidney on 01524 387 840
Age Concern Lancashire is looking to recruit older people to be actively involved in determining the ‘wants and needs’ of older people across three regions of the county;
Lancaster District, Pendle and West Lancashire. Age Concern Lancashire’s Linking
Community project aims to draw on the life-long learnt knowledge and skills of older people to ensure that this research and development genuinely takes account of local priorities.
Roger Clough, Professor Emeritus at Lancaster University said “There is abundant evidence that when older people join project teams not only do they enjoy the participation but the outcomes are much more likely to match what is wanted locally. In addition there is greater likelihood that the services will be better embedded in the community.”
Dave Burnham, Head of Intelligence at Lancashire County Council said “In trying to provide support for older people in Lancashire we have to understand what it is people value most, what does not interest them and what they find hateful. The County Council asks people what their expectations, experiences and aspirations are in a number of ways; surveys, feedback forms, forums and formal consultations. This project has something fresh to contribute; a way of getting people's views in a different way. We feel sure that the project's independence from local government or the NHS and the professional way it is being run that the insights we can derive from the project will get to the heart of people's preferences.”
To enable older people to be active researchers the project is providing free workshops for older people to help develop skills in research interviewing, in analysing research data and in writing, whether for reports, diaries or accounts of daily life. The training is being developed by Roger Clough, Professor Emeritus at Lancaster University, who pioneered a university validated research methods course for older people in 2002.
Age Concern Lancashire would like people to contact them if they wish to be involved as researchers on the project. We would also be interested in hearing from them if they are willing to discuss the good things or challenges of growing older in the community in which you live.

Please contact Ian Sidney, Senior Research Officer on 01524 387840 or by email: isidney@ageconcern.org.uk
. Further information can also be obtained by accessing our web page on www.acllinkingcommunities.org
The Linking Communities Research Team can also be contacted at Age Concern Lancashire, 7-11 Chapel Street, Lancaster, LA1 1NZ
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About the Project
Linking Communities is a three year project being run by Age Concern Lancashire with funding from the Big Lottery Fund.
 This project builds on earlier work that sought the views of older people on services and will examine whether the involvement of local communities in the development of services for older people results in better provision.
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There is abundant evidence that, whatever improvements have been made in the provision of services, many people are dissatisfied with either the scope or the quality of the support that they receive.
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We also recognize that not all aspirations can be met, particularly at times of resource constraints
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However we believe that participation by older people in designing the services that they want and need not only improves service provision and the sustainability of these services but also enhances their wellbeing and reduces the risk of loneliness and social isolation.
The Research
Building on national and local data there will be thorough consultation with older people, providers and commissioners in the project areas. The intention is to create a dialogue in which, current practices can be critically challenged and interested parties are able to become involved. The researchers will help older people and communities:
 to think about wants, needs, and resources;
 to develop understanding of the options for services;
 to propose changes to services for their localities;
 to better use and develop resources to support older people.
 to develop projects in their own community
 to measure the impact that involvement in community projects has on the wellbeing of individuals
Community Projects
After consultation with local older people and older persons community groups a number of projects in each area will be set up and developed further. The initial set up will be aided by project staff, but will draw heavily on the skills of the older people within these communities.

Community involvement in the projects is essential. One of the key criteria that will be used in determining the community projects that are undertaken is the likelihood that they will be sustainable after the completion of the project.
Each project will establish a local committee which will include both members of the research team, older people from the community and other volunteers or service providers.
Further information can be found at www.acllinkingcommunities.org