Improving Disaster Resilience in an Ageing Greater Manchester

Our approach for this research was to identify and bring together older people from across identified areas of Greater Manchester (with an awareness of the differences in approach needed for different geographical areas), with a particular targeted focus on members of marginalised communities within ageing into a series of workshops and structured interviews.
Three marginalising characteristics were chosen for these conversations, which took place over a number of focus groups and workshops. These were:
 Retired older men from Salford.
 Older Asian Women in Oldham.
 Refugees.
We carried out workshops in areas that had experienced flooding, riots, explosions and fire.
These workshops and conversations focused on the stresses that can lead to the inability of communities to deal effectively with shocks, focusing on the key areas of social cohesion and population growth.

At the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction, a presentation called ‘Every Life Counts: Inclusive and quality based disaster risk reduction strategies’ was delivered. The presentation outlined the importance of addressing all stakeholders in order to understand the views of the ‘other’. Social isolation often leads to marginalisation through race, social class or poverty. Although stronger social capital exists within these marginalised groups, there is difficulty facing outwards to address their vulnerabilities. Bridging social capital allows for stronger social networks while widening communities of practice. Recognising these connections is essential to understanding risks and responding to them more effectively.

Ambition for Ageing will present their findings from their report, 'Resilience in an Ageing Greater Manchester' that looks at the needs of older people in resilience planning, with a particular focus on marginalised communities. The report will present evidence that although older adults can be particularly vulnerable during times of shock, they also possess assets that can contribute to preparedness for shocks.

The Greater Manchester Resilience Unit has been working with a local primary school and a church group in Bolton to pilot an intergenerational project whereby older people pass on their experience and learning to our younger residents. This is designed to help both younger people cope with emergency situations, as well as decrease the levels of social isolation in older people through intergenerational dialogue, directly using and implementing the research conducted by Ambition for Ageing to inform practical community resilience building initiatives.

In May 2020, the GM Ageing Hub worked with the University of Manchester’s Healthy Ageing Research Group to develop the ‘Keeping Well at Home’ printed guide to support older people self-isolating during the pandemic. This responded to the intelligence gathered by the Ageing Hub ecosystem that many older residents were struggling to access key information around the Covid-19 pandemic as it was predominantly being provided online. Bespoke printed information and advice for older people was needed for key messages to reach older people, particularly those on low incomes. As well as information on Covid-19, the Keeping Well at Home printed guide covered evidence-based and good practice advice on how to get up after a fall, strength and balance exercises, and nutrition and hydration. The publication was evaluated by the University of Manchester and recognised by the WHO as good practice.

To support older adults with isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic Greater Manchester produced a Creative Care Kit containing a range of activities to be completed at home using the materials provided.

‘Valuable, not vulnerable’, was the chosen theme for IDOP celebrations in Greater Manchester in 2020 for the GM Ageing Hub Partners working with GM Older People’s Network (GMOPN). The campaign highlighted positive stories and realistic depictions of older adults responding to the challenges of coronavirus – whether that’s working on the frontline in paid employment, being active in the community, or caring for family and neighbours. The aim was also to counter the many negative depictions and stereotypes of older people during the pandemic, including the labelling of entire age groups as vulnerable or frail.

In winter 2020, Keeping Well this Winter was produced to supplement the original Keeping Well at Home content with winter specific advice and guidance. Innovations to address reach and distribution at this point included colleagues in Rochdale distributing the guide at COVID vaccination centres. Keeping Well this Winter was produced in English, Urdu, and Bengali; a simplified Easy Read version was also produced, as well as audio and British Sign Language version.

With funding from Centre for Ageing Better, Manchester City Council, Policy@Manchester and GMCVO researchers began working with local voluntary organisations working with marginalised communities in 2020 to understand the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. A number of published articles resulted from this work, along with a report and recommendations that have been considered by GM Ageing Hub and other partners.

The Greater Manchester Ageing Hub and charity Good Things Foundation joined forces to produce a new practical guide to support more people to get online and benefit from doing digital in later life.
This new guide has been designed for anyone from relatives and friends to carers and front-line workers to help them get started and support someone they know to do digital in later life. The content has been produced with organisations supporting older people in Greater Manchester and with input from older people. It also recognises the wider digital and technological exclusion many over 75s experience, such as those unable to heat food because their microwave is so complicated, or to use their digital central heating systems so are carrying a portable heater from room to room.

As part of the action to address the cost of living crisis in the UK, a further ‘Winterwise’ printed guide was published in December 2022. Developed in partnership with national older people’s charity Independent Age, the guide combines the contents of the previous printed guides with extended information on finance and keeping warm. Building on local distribution networks developed through the Keeping Well guides, over 330,000 copies have been printed and distributed in English, Urdu, Bengali and Easy Read; an online audio version is also available.

In March 2022 the GMOPN launched, ‘Don’t Brush it Under the Carpet’ a mental health campaign to raise awareness of self-harm in older people aiming to support older residents who may be depressed and guide them to support. The campaign was co-produced with older people working with a range of organisations and supported by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. It aimed to respond to a lack of awareness around these issues as they affect older people amongst older people, family members and health professionals. And the campaign responded to an increased awareness of mental health concerns as part of the pandemic. Following this campaign, GMOPN has launched the GM Older People's Mental Health Network across the city-region and recruited a development worker to develop and connect older people and professionals around issues of mental health in later life.