Our survey says… 90% of older people want more social activities in Newham

A month-long survey carried out during the summer has discovered that 90% of older people in Newham have overwhelmingly called for more social activities for their age group to be held in the borough. The survey, carried out by Bluebird Care Newham and Age UK East London, discovered that those over the age of 65 want more opportunities to stay active and engaged.

A month-long survey carried out during the summer has discovered that 90% of older people in Newham have overwhelmingly called for more social activities for their age group to be held in the borough.
 
The survey, carried out by Bluebird Care Newham and Age UK East London, discovered that those over the age of 65 want more opportunities to stay active and engaged.
 
Nathan Hartley, from Bluebird Care Newham, spent several weeks visiting community groups, sheltered housing associations, and speaking to people on the streets of Newham. He said:
 
“Despite being engaged in a number of weekly activities already, older people overwhelmingly told us they want more to do!
 
Whether it’s attending a public talk; taking up gardening or enjoying conversations at a weekly lunch club, the misconception that older people just want a ‘quiet life’ couldn’t be further from the truth!”
 
Of respondents, over 60% wanted to join a weekly lunch club in Newham, with a high number of people also wanting to take part in exercise classes, bingo groups and gardening clubs.
 
The survey was conducted jointly by Bluebird Care and Age UK in an attempt to better understand the needs of older people across the Borough.
 
Larissa Howells, Director of Services at Age UK East London said:
 
“Our work is hugely centred around the needs of older people. We want to make sure on a that they feel supported, valued and informed about what’s going on in their neighbourhoods.
 
These survey results allow us to assess what we need to do more of, and hopefully we can respond to some of the practical requests for new clubs and activities to be set up.”
 
Other ideas expressed by those aged over 65 were:
 

• Dementia awareness classes
• Grandparenting support groups
• Fire safety advice workshops
• Cancer support groups
• Carpentry
• Bird watching
• Cake making
• Sewing

 
Anoop Sekhon, Managing Director of Bluebird Care Newham & Tower Hamlets, added:
 
“Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey. It’s been great to work with Age UK on something both organisations feel strongly about.
 
We’ll be working with various agencies, as well as Age UK, over the coming months, so see what support we can provide to ensure the needs of older people in our area are met.”
 
For further details contact:
 

• Age UK East London, 82 Russia Lane, E2 9LU; 020 8981 7124;  info@ageukeastlondon.org.uk.
• Bluebird Care Newham and Tower Hamlets, Heron House, 2A Heigham Road, E6 2JG; 0208 519 3886; newham@bluebirdcare.co.uk