Project Brighton: Age UK Brighton & Hove
Over 38,000 people living in Brighton & Hove are over 65 and with an ageing population, this figure is set to increase. Later life can bring a range of challenges, but Age UK Brighton & Hove exists to help people make the most of it.
We provide information, advice and services and we’re the point of contact for older people who need help or support. We’re also there for family, friends and carers – those who love, support or have an interest in older people. We want our city to be a great place to grow older and that takes a community effort.
One of Age UK Brighton & Hove’s core services is information and advice. We offer face to face, telephone and online support with queries regarding anything affecting older people. If we can’t help you directly, it’s likely we can signpost you to someone who can. Typical enquiries cover issues like choosing a care home or adapting your own home, money concerns, ill health, caring responsibilities or loneliness.
Loneliness is a key issue for us. People often suffer in silence, feeling unable to tell others they are lonely. We estimate there are over 3,500 lonely older people in the Brighton & Hove area. The issue doesn’t only affect mental health. Feeling lonely has been shown to increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, weaken the immune system, impair sleep quality and increase vulnerability. In fact, it can be as harmful for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
Loneliness is a key issue for us. People often suffer in silence, feeling unable to tell others they are lonely
At Age UK BH we are tackling loneliness by running a range of social groups. Bridge, chess, exercise classes or knitting are some examples, as well as traditional coffee mornings. We also involve older people in research projects, direct people to befriending services and we’re always on the look out for volunteers to join our amazing team. We don’t want older people to feel alone in our city and we aim to be there for them if they need us.
We’re also here to help with practical issues like helping people access benefits, health or social care. We run computer classes for those who want to learn how to use the internet and we help people stay safe online and avoid scams.
We’re aiming to take our Information and Advice service out into the community more in the coming months. We’ve already run sessions at Brooke Mead Senior Housing and we’re looking at running it in conjunction with GPs’ surgeries, in supported/assisted living settings, we’re even looking at running one at a local Women’s Institute meeting.
As well as supporting people directly, Age UK Brighton & Hove also aims to empower older people, represent them and give them an influential voice. We believe that they should be involved in the issues that affect them, so we work to make that happen.
If you think we might be able to help you, or someone you care about then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 01273 720603, email info@ageuk-bh.org.uk or pop in and see us at 29-31 Prestonville Road, BN1 3TJ. Whatever you’re facing in later life, we’re here for you.
