Theme 4 Scheme A – Physical and Mental Health Wellbeing of Older People - Scheme 4A – Physical and Mental Health Wellbeing of Older People

Overview

The Council is committed to providing care and support to older people in the borough and to enable them to lead a fulfilling life. Older people have contributed so much to the life of Tower Hamlets. It is important that they are given the opportunity to lead healthy lives in their later years and to develop links with the wider community.

Older people, particularly from communities – such as Black Asian & Multi-Ethnic communities, people with sensory impairments and LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be lonely and socially isolated. There is a need to link them to networks, both of other older residents and the wider community, breaking down inter-generational barriers. Participation in physical, social and cultural activities that are responsive to the needs of older people will enable them to maintain good physical and mental health. Therefore, it is important that services are available to address their specific needs.

Outcomes

The outcome we want to achieve through this scheme are:

Improved physical and mental health outcomes for older people
Older residents are better positioned to manage health conditions and make healthy choices
Increased engagement in physical activities by older people
- Older residents are supported by neighbourhood initiatives to feel that they are part of the community and are less socially isolated.

Priorities

15 organisations delivering activities to meet the following priorities:

Supporting older and vulnerable people, including luncheon clubs, meals delivery services and pensioner projects
Developing community activities aimed at tackling loneliness and inactive lifestyles.

Projects

A total of £1,366,339 worth of projects have been funded under MCGP Theme 4 Scheme A to deliver projects until 31^st March 2027. Below are the list of projects which have been funded.

Organisation name	Project Title	Project description	Amount (£) (Total 41 Months)
SocietyLinks Tower Hamlets	Growing Together	Growing Together is a health and mental wellbeing improvement programme targeting older people through tackling loneliness, inactivity and isolation. The project aims to reduce digital isolation to give older people greater access to services and convenience and imbed strategies to improve intergenerational relations through a volunteering scheme with local young students.	136,667
Globe Community Project	Wellbeing for Elders	Wellbeing for Elders programme is serving over-60s at risk of severe loneliness and isolation, supporting them to increase connection with others and lead richer, more active and fulfilling lives.	136,335
Age UK East London	Activity Buddy	Activity Buddy scheme uses both 1:1 and group sessions to support older people to build the trust and confidence to get out into the community, connect with others and become more active and informed.	85,417
English National Ballet	Dancing East	Dancing East is English National Ballet’s programme of creative ballet classes for participants aged over 50 living in Tower Hamlets, and is designed to improve physical and mental wellbeing through dance in community centres across the borough.	85,417
Community of Refugees from Vietnam - East London	Vietnamese and Chinese Lunch and Social Club	The Vietnamese &Chinese Lunch Club (VCLC) provides healthy food, a lunch club, a range of social activities and promotes healthy living in all forms for older people in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.	85,417
Island House Community Centre	SENIORS	The Seniors Project addresses loneliness and isolation in older people within Tower Hamlets through regular initiatives covering physical and mental health, social needs, and practical skills. The project aims to increase the range of social and health activities available to improve mental and physical health amongst the over-fifties.	85,417
Tower Hamlets Friends and Neighbours	Befriending for Isolated Older People	Befriending for Isolated Older People project is a free befriending and advocacy service for older people experiencing loneliness and social isolation in Tower Hamlets through one-to-one befriending visits in people’s homes, group outings enabling people to meet others in a similar situation, and telephone befriending for additional support particularly at times of crisis.	85,417
Wapping Bangladesh Association	Active Plus - Wapping BME Older Person's Day Club	Active Plus - Wapping BME Older Person's Day Club is a community-based day club that consists of Lunch Club Programme and a variety of social and cultural socialisation activities that brings improvements to the physical and emotional well-being to vulnerable Bangladeshi and BME older people.	85,417
East London Mosque Trust	The Senior Citizens Project	The Senior Citizens Project at East London Mosque supports elderly men and women over 50 to tackle loneliness and isolation and improve their health and well-being through social activity, exercise, and awareness sessions in a culturally sensitive space and gives access to a healthy meal through a health café.	85,417
Methodist Church Tower Hamlets	Zacchaeus Health and Wellbeing for Older People	Zacchaeus aims to provide a range of wrap around/holistic offers of advice, information, access to benefits, support groups and health, social and therapeutic sessions to reduce isolation for older people.	85,417
St Hilda's East Community Centre	Over 50's Feeling Good	The aim of Over 50s Feeling Good is to provide a programme of activity for older people which allows them to take part in exciting and challenging activity, fostering social connections, and improving their physical and mental health.	85,417
Shadwell Trust	Bridging the Gap	Bridging the Gap will provide access to physical activity and mobility sessions to older people. The activities are delivered from Tarling East Community Centre in partnership with Sonali Gardens, Linkage Plus and Tower Hamlets Community Housing. Project also includes running social club and activity classes for older people.	85,417
Somali Senior Citizens Club	“Granby Hall Seniors’ Club”	Granby Hall Seniors’ Club provides a programme of health and developmental activities at Granby Hall Centre for vulnerable local elders, particularly, but not exclusively, from the Somali community.	85,417
Neighbours In Poplar	Bengali Womens Holistic Project	Bengali Women’s Holistic Project is an outreach programme for local elderly Bengali women to attend and take advantage of the many services and activities from NIP.	85,417
Asian People's Disability Alliance	Can you See Us - Standing Up for Older People	This is a Daycare & Development Project for Older women with Disabilities and long term Health Conditions. By supporting their physical, emotional, social, and environmental needs, the project aims to improve the quality of life.	68,333