Press Release
Up to £10,000 to get idea off the ground
People living in Inverness, and surrounding areas, aged 50 and over are being asked to come forward with bright ideas to help improve the lives of older people in the area.
Age Unltd, which is aimed at tackling the issue of social isolation in the elderly and improving public services across Scotland, is being launched today 14 December 2009 by NESTA (The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts).
The initiative will give successful applicants support and funding of up to £10,000 to develop their idea into a live community project.
“Not all older people enjoy their later years. They may feel lonely, unfulfilled, excluded or bored” says Jackie Mckenzie, NESTA’s head of innovations programme Scotland. “We want to hear from anyone that thinks they can help the elderly become less socially isolated and as a result to lead healthier and happier lives. In return we’ll give them support and funding to turn their idea into reality.
“It may be that someone has experience as a carer or volunteer with older people and has the skills and experience they’d be willing to share. Or perhaps they are approaching retirement, have recently retired or have been made redundant and are looking for a new challenge. These skills can be put to good use and Age Unltd can help people realise their potential in this area.”
NESTA is looking for team players who have ideas, experience and determination, plus the time to get involved, to come forward now.
A workshop will be held in March next year, where NESTA will select and build teams that will then pitch their idea to a judging panel, in order to make it through for further support and development.
Participants can then go onto bid for funding in June to get their concept up and running in the community.
To enter, a short application form must be submitted by 14th February 2010. The form can be found at: http://www.nesta.org.uk/ageunlimitedinscotland
Alternatively applicants can call 01382 229 521 or email ageunlimitedinscotland@nesta.org.uk and a form will be mailed out.
Programme opens: 14 December 2009
Closing date: 14th February 2010
Full day workshops: 3 events March 2010
Incubation process: March-June 2010
Funding pitch: June 2010
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For further information, please contact Stephanie Robertson, Weber Shandwick on 07809 665 773 or by email at srobertson@webershandwick.com.
Notes:
* The population in Scotland is predicted to age considerably between 2006 and 2031, with the number of people over 60 expected to rise by 54% over this period.1 The sheer volume of the country’s ageing society is placing increasing demands on areas such as health and care services. And as a generation their expectations are different: they want new, better and more personalised types of services.
* As a response to this challenge, NESTA (The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts) is committed to working with older social entrepreneurs in Scotland aimed at making aging a more fulfilling healthy and socially inclusive experience. The two year pilot programme will stimulate latent entrepreneurial activity in the over fifties.
* NESTA recently undertook research which leads it to believe the UK is unprepared for ageing. Just under a third of all pensioners live on or close to the poverty line and twelve million people - half the UK workforce - are putting nothing aside for old age. Demographic patterns mean these trends are getting worse and the UK is failing to find new solutions, focusing instead on existing services and initiatives.
1 International Longevity Centre-UK report 17 August 2009
About NESTA
NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, a unique and independent body with a mission to make the UK more innovative.
With the largest portfolio of early-stage businesses in the country, it is a leading authority on how to grow new ideas. It also stimulates imaginative solutions to pressing social issues and shapes policy to help the UK meet its national innovation challenges.
www.nesta.org.uk
The report, entitled “Demanding Growth in Scotland” is available online at www.nesta.org.uk/demanding-growth-in-scotland.
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