An innovative new project aimed at empowering older people to help each other and their communities has won funding from the Big Lottery Fund, thanks to a successful bid by a partnership of trusted organisations. Funding from the Big Lottery's Silver Dreams Fund will see the scheme rolled out in Staffordshire and York.
'Older People Taking Control' (OPTiC)
will be run by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Action for Blind People, Fire and Rescue Service Staffordshire and North Yorkshire, Age UK Stafford and District, and York Blind and Partially Sighted Society.
OPTiC will harness the knowledge and skills of older people, supporting them to run:
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Courses and peer-support schemes, sharing practical knowledge and experience and providing emotional support
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Volunteer 'buddying' schemes, providing practical support on transport, hobbies, shopping and other daily tasks which can be challenging for vulnerable older people
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'Change Exchange' self-advocacy groups - campaigning for improvements in local services and facilities, demonstrating that older people can change the way society views them and sight-loss.
Eyes Right
As part of the innovative plan to reach older people, the project will incorporate Fire and Rescue Service's (FRS) existing home safety visits. During these, RNIB's pioneering 'Eyes Right' eyesight screening tool will be used to detect low vision and older people will be encouraged to get their eyes tested. They will also be signposted to services in their local area, given the opportunity to take part in confidence boosting courses and eventually go on to volunteer to lead peer groups and buddying schemes themselves.
"Enabling older people"
Philippa Simkiss, Head of Evidence and Service Impact at RNIB, said: "We hope that this project will enable older people, especially those with or at risk of sight loss, to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to highlighting the contribution that older people make to society.
"Traditional routes used to reach and support older people can be significantly enhanced by using innovative approaches. A key example is the training of the FRS Officers to conduct eye screening tests as part of their work. Simply adding the Eyes Right tool to FRS's existing home safety visit will enable us to reach a huge number of older people every month."
Reducing impact of ill-health...
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's Community Liaison Officer, Ruth Haigh said: "This project is a great example of us working with partners and communities in developing pro-active, early intervention strategies that reduce the impact of ill-health, isolation and poverty."
Alison Montgomery, Chief Executive of Age UK Stafford & District, said: "We are delighted that the Big Lottery have recognised this project which brings together key agencies to work in partnership for the benefit of older people."
Will Thornton, Regional Development Manager at Action for Blind People, added: "Action for Blind People is looking forward to working with the partner organisations to provide support to people with sight loss in Stafford.
"We will be working with older people in the county, with blind and partially sighted volunteers providing advice and support to others who are losing their sight."
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Notes to editors
For media enquiries, please contact Rachel Cafferty in RNIB's Public Relations Team on 0207 391 2043 or 0207 391 2223, email rachel.cafferty@rnib.org.uk
Sight loss affects people of all ages but as we get older we are increasingly likely to experience deteriorating vision. One in five people aged 75 and over are living with sight loss, while one in two people aged 90 and over are affected.
Older People Taking Control (OPTiC)
OPTiC is a partnership of trusted organisations which will enable older people, especially those with or at risk of sight-loss, to develop and implement strategies to manage the changes they encounter in later life and reduce isolation. OPTiC will complement existing services provided by RNIB, Action for Blind People, Fire and Rescue Service Staffordshire and North Yorkshire, Age UK Stafford & District and York Blind and Partially Sighted Society by bringing them together in one unprecedented, seamless support package actively influenced and co-managed by older people themselves. The project is funded to run for 18months and received a grant of £199, 990 from the Big Lottery Fund.
RNIB Eyes Right
In conjunction with the Institute of Optometry City University and the Thomas Pocklington Trust, RNIB developed Eyes Right, a screening tool. It is not intended as a replacement for an eye test with a qualified optometrist, but has already been used to great effect by local societies to identify previously undetected low vision.
Eyes Right is available in two different formats; an easy to use computer programme which can run on a standard laptop or computer or an A4 hand-held book. You can choose the tool which best suits your needs. Both formats come with a simple step-by-step training guide which provides all the information you need to correctly use Eyes Right with people in your local community.
Both formats are free to order and are available from the RNIB Helpline by calling 0303 123 9999.
About RNIB
Everyday around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around 2 million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk