SIGN Southampton Intergenerational Network

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SIGNSouthampton IntergenerationalNetwork

• Where are we at?

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Funding

• European stream Interreg IV B
• Part of the Cites in Balance programme

Hagen Brugge Edinburgh Genk Kaiserslautern
Leeds Leverkusen Southampton Stockport
Vlaardingen FernUniversität Hagen
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Purpose

• Cities In Balance is built on improving
  mainstream opportunities for seniors, moving
  forward from the traditional approach of
  intervention and treatment. CIB aims to reduce
  reliance on health and care services by
  encouraging greater emphasis on broader
  well-being issues. CIB will focus on services
  that improve the quality of life of seniors and
  help to enable them to live independently. A key
  activity is to define and explore innovative
  strategies to address the challenge posed by an
  ageing population. CIB will explore
• empowering seniors to participate fully in
  community life
• information and communication provision
• securing social, financial and digital inclusion
  
• business and employment opportunities.

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Project began in March 2009 Steering group
formedCo-ordinator Employed
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1 To develop a strategic relationship with the
Centre for Intergenerational Practice in order to
promote the development of intergenerational
practice in Southampton by share learning,
resources and knowledge.
Progress

• Initial meeting with Alan Hatton Yeo at the
  beginning of the project.
• Joined the CIP network.
• Attended CIP and Beth Johnson Foundation events.
• Hosting The 1st South East Regional Network
  Meeting today.
• Looking at Phase two Development work with CIP in
  the future.

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2 Development of a network of projects and
providers with regular training programme and
delivery of a series of best practice workshops
across Southampton to raise the awareness and
understanding of front-line staff, volunteers and
organisations.
Progress

• 56 members from 50 services organisations and
  projects across the city.
• 1st meeting undertaken in October 22nd with 46
  attendees.
• Duncan Tree National Development Manager CSV
• Susan Langford Director Magic me
• Southampton University Volunteering service
• Launch of quarterly newsletter for members
  detailing examples of practice funding sources
  and relevant national and local developments 2nd
  edition out this week
• Basic Website of Resources -Now about to re-
  homed on SP website.

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3. Undertake an audit of existing
intergenerational projects and produce a database
- to be updated regularly.
Progress

• Begun an audit of existing work. Encouraging each
  of these projects not work in isolation but to
  join the network and share information. On
  average 6 new projects month SIGNing up
• A database of projects and network members list
  is circulated amongst the network and maintained
  on our website - updated monthly

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4. To provide support for six to eight
demonstration projects to develop local examples
of practice around schools, older people, younger
people, health and wellbeing and community
cohesion and families.
Progress

• Initial progress made by approaching policy
  makers on board with intergenerational
  practice to secure some early wins
• (for example Building Bridges)
• Further progress has been made because of
  consultation with front line staff as to what
  might work in their areas using the
  co-ordinators knowledge of their strategic
  plans.
• Following up a series of other programmes in
  their early stages and now beginning to get
  projects coming to SIGN for advice prior to
  starting.

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5. Southampton a city for all ages We will
hold a city-wide event consulting the public and
inviting contributions to establish what would
make Southampton a city for all ages and to begin
the process of cross cutting planning.6. To
hold a city-wide event to promote good practice,
celebrate achievements and outcomes which can be
achieved through the implementation of
intergenerational practice.
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7. To seek ensure intergenerational volunteering
is part of a city-wide coherent strategy on
volunteering.
Southampton VS and a number of other voluntary
organisations involved in the SIGN steering
group.Working with University Made links with
CSV
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8.To publish a Final report in March 2011 sharing
the learning from the programme with European
partners and Southampton Partnership.
ProgressQuarterly steering group reports
Contact with Leeds and ManchesterRegistration
as an official partnership within SP with clear
lines of reporting.
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Challenges and Solutions

• Intergenerational work seen as the as a fluffy
  outcome- not viewed as a policy delivery
  strategy.
• Orientation within the organisation.
• Ideally positioned for grass roots work such as
  network etc.
• Less effective at influencing policy makers
• Budgets and cross cutting planning.
• Lack of knowledge around the subject and best
  practice.
• Lack of a local evidence base.
• Working more closely with Southampton Partnership