Related projects
- European Framework V Better Ageing Project - before OPAL
- AVONet (The Avon Network for the Promotion of Active Ageing in the Community) - since OPAL
- Project ACE (Active, Connected and Engaged) - since OPAL
AVONet
Launched in June 2009, The Avon Network for the Promotion of Active Ageing in the Community brought together academics from of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, and the West of England. They worked in partnership with the local NHS and authorities, local and regional charities, activity providers and members of user groups. A broad range of disciplines contributed to AVONet, which provided comprehensive expertise.
The network was funded by the Lifelong Health and Well-Being (LLHW, phase 3) initiative, which is managed by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The LLHW is a collaboration of government agencies and charitable trusts that promote research into the quality of life of older people.
AVONet aimed to:
- set up a multidisciplinary forum for knowledge exchange.
- identify and summarise the research evidence base.
- produce ‘best bet’ physical activity promotion strategies for older adults, with local emphasis.
- provide a partnership model for use elsewhere in the UK.
- prepare for more research funding proposals (see Project ACE).
- stimulate closer research partnerships. We held focus groups with lay representatives (OPAL participants) and activity service providers, and three interactive workshops (October and December 2009, February 2010).
Project ACE
This is a brand new research project which has just been funded for two years by the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) Lifelong Health and Well-Being (LLHW) initiative. Off the back of the AVONet work, it aims to develop and pilot a practical, sustainable and low-cost model of volunteering action to promote active ageing in the community. The University of Bath (Dr Afroditi Stathi) will lead this project, with collaboration from our centre, the YMCA and BHF National Centre.
Volunteering has historically been one of the few formal roles that older people have after retirement. It is socially-valued, publicly-recognised, and altruistic, offering many a strong sense of meaning in life. Scientific evidence supports its value to mental well being and contribution to successful ageing. However, we need comprehensive, systematic evaluation of volunteer programmes to see if they can also promote physical activity. This pilot will begin in Autumn 2011 involve two employed neighbourhood co-ordinators, 20 activity promotion volunteers (ACE activators), and 100 participants, across two of the Bristol neighbourhood partnerships. Watch this space for how things develop!