QUALITY LEARNING = QUALITY AGEING
Our main Newcastles of the World conference theme in 2016 was about working with and for older people to ensure excellent quality of later life.
Jaunpils, our Newcastle in Latvia, is a member of a 30-month European Union- funded programme (Erasmus +) called “Quality Learning Experience = Quality Active Ageing” which is a very good example of this work. There are partners from Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, England, Lithuania and Greece. Jaunpils recently hosted their part of the programme, a joint staff training event which included projects on cooking and healthy eating, craft workshops, use of recycled materials, cheese-making (one of Jaunpils’ main economic activities) and Nordic walking. Each partner will host such a training event, part of developing collaborative networks/approaches and the creation of a Good Practice Guide (with two examples from each partner) on How Learning Contributes to Active Ageing. Lifelong learning is an important contributor to active ageing and ensures that people stay active, have a sense of purpose, do not become socially isolated (with impacts on mental health) and increase their circle of friends to rely upon.
See
http://www.qualityactiveageing.eu/about-the-project/
http://www.qualityactiveageing.eu/category/jaunpils/
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?
•Better health and well-being services to place greater emphasis on prevention, preparation and support, including reducing isolation and loneliness of those living on their own.
•Housing reform, to support communities with accessibility and usability in mind
•Developing working skills to support an ageing workforce; removing barriers to the employment of older people; supporting entrepreneurship among older people
•Assisted living and use of technology to improve quality of life; digital inclusion
But also: Ensuring that older people have a voice in shaping services
DISCUSSION PAPER FOR OUR 2016 CONFERENCE
Age-Friendly Newcastles – Discussion Paper
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE – Age-Friendly City
http://www.qualityoflife.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=69
Case Study – BOWMANVILLE OLDER ADULT ASSOCIATION – covers Newcastle, Ontario
http://www.bowmanvilleolderadults.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BowmanvilleOA/
MISSION STATEMENT : To promote the health and happiness of older adults by providing opportunities to enhance their quality of life.
VALUES AND BELIEFS
Accessible – to create an organization that is inclusive and affordable; we will identify and address potential barriers, and create opportunities for members, potential members, and guests.Caring – to be known as a friendly and welcoming organization where members, guests and visitors can feel safe, respected and welcome.
Community Focused – to be part of and contribute to the broader community; we aspire to be a cooperative, collaborative and respectful partner.Fiscally Responsible – to efficiently operate and achieve our goals in a manner that is both financially prudent and accountable to our members and partners.
Member Focused – to ensure that the needs of our members are reflected in what we do today and in our future priorities.
Quality Programs – to be known for excellent programs that meet the diverse needs of our members; our programs will promote social, educational and physical well-being.
Click to access coassc-background.pdf
CASE STUDY – Newcastle upon Tyne Elders Council
http://www.elderscouncil.org.uk/
Report to Newcastle City Council Cabinet September 9th 2015
Click to access Ageing%20Well%20Policy%20Cabinet%20Meeting.pdf
Challenging stereotypes of ageing:
http://www.theguardian.com/partner-zone-ageing-population/challenging-stereotypes-ageing
Services for Older People – BEST PRACTICE – Newcastle, Australia – Senior Services Guide
SENIORS COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEUBURG AN DER DONAU/ Seniorenbeirat der Stadt Neuburg
http://www.neuburg-donau.de/rathaus/senioren/seniorenbeirat
Contact julia.klier@neuburg-donau.de
Self-help activities for older people – CASE STUDY : JAUNPILS, LATVIA
“Senior people are very active in our municipality. In 2010 they founded the seniors association “Jaunpils”. Seniors led by Mrs. Austra Sipeniece, organize culture and healthy lifestyle activities. Seniors enjoy sport activities, especially Nordic walking and line dancing. They also organize different events, excursions, experience exchange tours, develop knowledge in psychology, improve language skills etc. in lifelong learning courses. Seniors association support preservation of culture traditions. They participate in various projects -at the moment they are working on the project, which will be important for all citizens in our Newcastle. One of their member Mr. A. Lacis have saved produced short films by himself about local people, rural cultural activities, traditional celebrations, concerts in 70s and 80s. Now, by financial support from Newcastle Municipality and fund of Teterevi, seniors want to digitalize this material and make a film “This was our time”. It will be important for all generations –youth will see how the life in Newcastle was for more than 40 years ago, medium generation and seniors can organize memory evenings and discussions about life now and then.”
Learning Opportunities for Older People:
CASE STUDY – U3A (University of the Third Age) – Newcastle Australia example:
http://hunter.u3anet.org.au/?page_id=1282
Neuchatel, Switzerland example
http://www2.unine.ch/u3a/page-6439.html
Trends and Implications of an Ageing Population – UK Example:
http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/time-to-think-differently/trends/demography/ageing-population
http://www.theguardian.com/partner-zone-ageing-population/york-dementia-friendly-community
SENIORS WEEK IN NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA
The city has a full programme of activities for Seniors Week, held in late March or early April each year, as part of Seniors Week, New South Wales
http://www.nswseniorsweek.com.au/events
newcastlesoftheworld.com 