Activities and groups for older people - LinkAge

What is LinkAge all about?

LinkAge encourages older people to take the lead in developing local activities and services and supports them to participate in their local communities. If what older people need is not available, we’ll support them to get things started.

We promote activities in local venues including community centres, libraries, church halls and sheltered housing schemes.

So far we've been involved in working with older people and bringing them together to provide:

• information and advice
• introductions to available help and services
• men's groups - sharing skills and companionship
• walking groups
• volunteer driving schemes to help people get about
• creative activities including a theatre group
• opportunities for different generations to meet, learn from and support each other

A key objective is “outreach” to find older people who are isolated and vulnerable and to assist them to find better links with their local communities and services.

LinkAge is bringing together local organisations as a network to co-ordinate and improve services for older people.

LinkAge also runs a befriending scheme for elderly people in the Bedminster, Southville and Ashton areas of Bristol. We recruit volunteers who are willing to visit an elderly person once a week for a cup of tea and a chat. It’s such a simple scheme which makes a world of difference to people’s lives and we’re always looking for both referrals and volunteers.

Where does the idea come from?

LinkAge is also one of the 'five big ideas' in Bristol's Quality of Life for Older People Strategy.

Where is it happening?

LinkAge runs in these areas:

Bedminster and Southville – the local team is:

• Debbie Wills, LinkAge Community Development Worker – 07817 632 932
  debbie.wills@stmonicatrust.org.uk
• Ben Jailler, LinkAge Befriending Scheme – 07875 406 844
  ben.jailler@stmonicatrust.org.uk
• Louisa Smith, LinkAge Administrator – 0117 305 2365
  louisa.smith@stmonicatrust.org.uk

Easton and Lawrence Hill – the local team is:

• Kathe Jacob, Community Development Worker – 0117 304 1726
  kathe.jacob@guinness.org.uk
• Musa Yousuf, Health Improvement Project Worker – 0117 900 2234
  musa.yousuf@bristolpct.nhs.uk
• Jacqueline Pucher, Administrator – 0117 304 1726
  jacqueline.pucher@guinness.org.uk

The LinkAge overall Coordinator is Claire Miller – 0117 973 4161 clairemiller@anchorsociety.co.uk.

Stockwood – the local team is:

• Stockwood Office – 0117 9715 873
  LinkAge@stmonicatrust.org.uk
• Debbie Wills, LinkAge Community Development Worker – 07817 632 932
  debbie.wills@stmonicatrust.org.uk
• Ben Jailler, LinkAge Befriending Scheme – 07875 406 844
  ben.jailler@stmonicatrust.org.uk
• Cheryl Martin, Health Walks Co-ordinator – 07530 564 332
  cherylmartinLinkAge@gmail.com

Where is the money coming from?

The funding partners for the project are:

• NHS Bristol
• The St Monica Trust
• Bristol City Council
• The Anchor Society
• The Guinness Trust

Why should I get in touch?

• To find out what is happening and available in your community and what might be useful to you.
• To meet new people.
• To help make things you would like to see in your community happen.

LinkAge - we need others to help

If you're working with or in touch with older people do let them know about LinkAge and encourage them to contact us.

If you're providing a local service for older people we'd also like to hear from you.

LinkAge is very much about building a local network and is keen to work with local services and organisations.

What's on in the LinkAge areas?

These guides will show you the activities going on in the LinkAge areas:

• Things to do for older people in and around Southville and Bedminster (pdf, 1.2 MB) (opens new window)
• Things to do for older people in and around Lawrence Hill and Easton (pdf, 4.5 MB) (opens new window)

Greater Bedminster toilets and benches map

A helpful map showing comfort stops around Bedminster, Southville and Ashton. See Related documents section.