PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE - digital skills & friendship club, reducing social isolation
From "People Powered Stratford & West Ham"
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Proposed budget
Description
PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE
Watch the update on the project so far
23/09/24
PROJECT UPDATE:
People Need People, Digital Inclusion and Friendship Club, has delivered 2 x 8 week digital inclusion courses, with 20 -30 participants attending each week. They have taken the group out on 3 trips and held 1 summer picnic.
They are on week 3 of the 3rd and final 8 week course and planning a River Thames Uber Boat trip for all participants, early October.
The peer to peer Digilates training programme has a core of 10 participants who have attended 5 training sessions. They have delivered 1 x outreach digital art session at Oasis club, Manor Park and plan another visit, week beginning 30th October.
People Need People continue to support those who most need it: reducing social isolation by mitigating digital exclusion and reducing loneliness, through social interaction and new freindships.
Many participants have been referred to the programme by their GP's and social prescribing platform.
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People Need People is a community-led, sustainable approach to health and mental wellbeing, supporting people to help themselves and each other.
Frames of Mind, respected local arts organisation, have been delivering a hugely successful digital inclusion and social club for seniors experiencing loneliness, anxiety and long-term health conditions, to improve their health and wellbeing. https://framesofmind.uk.
Our participants are passionate to keep the programme running and extend the life-changing benefits to other isolated seniors and their families in Stratford & West Ham.
"I had lost the confidence to leave the house, now I feel that I'm not alone and can live life more fully" Antony 82
“I don’t need to ask for help with my phone anymore, in fact... now I’m helping other people! ” Marie, 65
PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE will provide a welcoming and inclusive, day-time club at Stratford Library, where seniors referred by their GP's and Social Prescribers, are supported to make friends and stay in touch outside the group. They will learn vital digital skills, using their own smart devices and share this knowledge across their communities.
People Need People has been co-devised with residents to offer a whole-person, holistic response, to their needs. As well as teaching vital digital skills to reduce the marginalisation of senoirs, the programme will include creative digital activities using iPads, gentle stretch and movement and stimulating trips out, to boost health and happiness.
We will deliver the programme for one year: 3 x 8 week courses (2hrs per week), with 8 trips out and 2 community celebration events, supporting residents to be:
CONNECTED: new friendships and an increased sense of belonging through active involvement in a mutually supportive group.
INCLUDED: smart device skills training, to stay connected with family and friends, access best value deals and vital online services, increasing independence.
ACTIVE: free, supported trips in nature and cultural venues, chosen by the group and in-house weekly exercise sessions, maintaining mobility, whilst having fun.
CREATIVE: digital art and creative photography. Therapeutic and meaningful creative activities to boost confidence and self-esteem.
Participants can also volunteer to join the Digilantes Outreach Team and receive in-depth digital skills training and get paid, London Living Wage, to help their peers.
