Buckinghamshire County Council

Movers & Shakers Health and wellbeing for older

people

Olga McBarnettOMcBarnett@buckscc.gov.uk

Buckinghamshire County Council

DemographicsAgeing, diverse older populationSee Movers & Shakers in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UHcVnwG7iw

M&S supports older people (O/P) to remain fitter longer – keep physically and mentally active plus healthy eating

 

Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire County Council

Background to M&SPiloted in 2007 – Exercise for Caribbean EldersCaribbean Style started in 2009Chinese Style and Asian Dosti (women’s) commenced in 2010, with more groups following in Aylesbury, Chiltern + South Bucks districts

NHS Award winning status in October 2010

Buckinghamshire County Council

What Members say about M&S:• Friendship, fun and food• Getting out of the house• Meeting new people• Enjoyment – I’ve been coming since day 1.• Do regular exercise• My balance has improved• I like the talks and table games• A social morning

Buckinghamshire County Council

Qualitative Evaluation of M&S in 2009Why do you attend?• Exercise, have fun, avoid loneliness, peer support and

education

Why participate in Physical activity?• Better to exercise in group, Difficulty walking/interested in

sitting position to exercise, Arthritis sufferer/keep joints moving

Social Health?• Enjoy meeting friends/new people, laughter and banter, live

alone so ‘Yes’

Emotional Wellbeing?• Exercise gives inner peace, helps to unwind, feel relaxed

afterwards, great feel good factor

Buckinghamshire County Council

Buckinghamshire County Council

Outcomes Movers & Shakers is making a difference:

√ Improves health/wellbeing for older people √ Inclusive – combat loneliness/isolation √ Effective community engagement and development in diverse communities √ Successful partnership working √ Building stronger cohesive communities

Buckinghamshire County Council

M&S initiative supports/linked to:• Falls Prevention Programme • Public Health – 5 Ways to Wellbeing,

Healthy eating programme, Active Bucks• Prevention Matters – CLO and CPW roles• BCC – Brokerage Direct Payment

Service, Dementia Friendly Communities• Bucks New University – Annual Ageing

Well Events, Student Placements

Buckinghamshire County Council

M&S attendance = 330 approx. p/w Initiative requires:• Robust empirical evidence – we (staff

and members) know project works well!• Prime funding for expansion so that O/P

in rural settings can also benefit• Strategic buy-in from established

organisation(s) – governance, training, funding support, etc.

• GP prescription referrals for O/P - SEM

Buckinghamshire County Council

Other CD Work:Mental Health First Aid TrainingAccredited to deliver standard MHFA, Youth MHFA (2 day courses) and Lite MHFA (3 hours) CDWs worked alongside MHFA England to develop culturally appropriate programmes (DRE + RECC) to raise awareness of MH and related issues.To date; approx. 200 people have been trained in Bucks on MHFA /YMHFA within CD role, as well as co-facilitating in Berks and London to maintain accreditation since 2008.Ageing Well Conference ShowcaseCo-organiser with BNU of annual event encouraging O/P (200+) in activities for ageing well.

Buckinghamshire County Council

Thank You

Olga McBarnettJoint Mental Health Community

Development Lead

OMcBarnett@buckscc.gov.uk