Ageing Strong Together – join in and see what you think

This is an update on the Age Strong blog I posted in August. I liked that one. It was full of good ideas and intentions. Since then MYsocial members have been co-discovering what it means to “age strong” and how we make good ideas into reality – together. On Wednesdays we have a “Together” group on Zoom where we, well, talk about life. We’ve all lived a bit, and it’s amazing how much wisdom there is between us all as a result of being old enough to know a thing or two. Nothing formal, but we find we’re also giving each other mutual support and becoming what feels like a family. Time change for “Together”: it’s now at 3:30 and we would love to have you join us. Just email members@mysocial.london and they’ll send you the Zoom link. On Thursdays at 3:30 we now also have a “Good to Know” Zoom session. All of us suggest things we’d like to learn more about, and we get people in to tell us about them (or members who know a lot about a subject can lead a session). Again, just email members@mysocial.london to join in and see if it works for you.

I’ve written some bits about what MYsocial is up to with ageing strong. They’re brief (always a good thing) and clear (I think). Here are three of them I hope you’ll find interesting, enjoyable, and want to know more. If you do please join us for a “Together” Zoom by emailing MYsocial. First wee intro is:

AGE STRONG

• Ageing is too often equated with weakness. In fact it can also be a process of discovering and cultivating the deepest reserve of strength.

• Our approach is about us older people discovering and using our strengths, no matter what problems we may have, for each other and for everyone.

Ageing strong is for everybody. “We’re all on this amazing ride together, younger people are just older people in training, and ageing is an elite sport. Let’s get good at it.”

MYsocial is making Ageing Strong a team sport.

Welcome to the team.

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Next, and saying more, we have:

We’re members of Age UK Lambeth’s MYsocial who have become an informal Zoom group. We call it “TOGETHER” and we get together weekly. Our subject is life. Between us we know quite a bit about it, and we’ve had a great time sharing that and learning from each other.

Now we want open up the full lives we’ve found ourselves living to what we think of as the Village – all of us in Lambeth with the connections we already have, the connections we need, friends, neighbours, groups… we are all the Village (and it takes a village).

The Together group intends to be an open door to all the mutual support when help is needed, rich life, fun and discovery that the Village has to offer for all ages. We’ll be opening the door as wide as we can. Have a look in and see what you think.

Join us at 3:30 any Wednesday on Zoom. Just email members@mysocial.london for an invitation and link.

And finally there’s:

THEMENTOR CASCADE

Age UK Lambeth has started an Age Strong programme. Working with partners in all sectors in the borough, we are positioning our vastly capable older population to develop and deliver help and opportunities that they and the whole community need: help delivered by older people- for everyone.

Our approach to this work is based on opening the floodgates of older people’s capabilities, experience, knowledge, and desire to be both social problem-solvers and financially viable contributors for all our sakes.

Based on wide consultation, we are now starting with an initial and practical way forward: older people trained and acting as MENTORS in key areas of their own and everyone’s lives.

Working with our older Lambeth population and Morley College, we’ll initially be offering Mentor training – and effective ways to put that training to use –in the following areas:

• Frailty Prevention
• First Aid and health self-care
• Wellbeing
• Promoting Physical Activity
• Work and Opportunity

Mentors will be enabled to help a wide population in the borough, from family and friends to all of Age UK Lambeth’s network and beyond.

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So, all together a bit of a review. If you like it, let us know. Better still join us for a Together Zoom session any Wednesday and say hello.