Fit as a
fiddle is Independent Age's health and
wellbeing project funded by Age UK as part of the Big Lottery's
Wellbeing portfolio.The project involves training and supporting
volunteers to provide information and advice to older people on
healthy eating, exercising and general wellbeing. Volunteers have
also been supporting a variety of road shows and workshops working
with local communities to encourage healthy eating and healthy
lifestyles.
The project started working in Leicester and Leicestershire in
2011, with three groups of volunteers having been trained so far.
We are working nationally with organisations that can support the
recruitment of volunteers and people aged over 65 who may like to
participate in the project. Interested organisations currently
include Retirement Homes in Towcester, where we are looking to work
with socially isolated adults in rural regions and the Healthy
Homes Project, which is part of Liverpool Council.
Fit as a fiddle
will be rolling out into many new areas this year and we are hoping
to recruit and support new volunteers and participants at home by
working with a variety of organisations. We will be providing
wellbeing information and activities for older people in their
homes and at our road shows. All volunteers involved with the
project are trained over a two-day period and gain skills and
appropriate resources to work on a one-to-one basis in people's
homes, supporting them with health and wellbeing guidance.
Who is it
for?
The Independent Age project offers support for people aged over
65 who are isolated or housebound and aims to tackle social
isolation.
We offer:
- Evidence-based information on healthy eating, exercise and
wellbeing for older
people
- A variety of resources and educational material such as
newsletters and leaflets
- Excellent opportunities for volunteers to develop knowledge
about healthy living
- Roadshow events
- Benefits for older people
- Improved health and wellbeing
- Management of health in older age reducing the risk of
preventable conditions (diabetes etc)
- Increased physical stamina, balance and coordination reducing
the risk of falls
- Social and emotional support to address issues contributing to
health inequalities such as weight reduction and eating on a
budget.
One of the main ways we deliver this project is by working
closely with volunteers. If you are interested in becoming
a volunteer or would like to get involved with this project, please
Natalie
Morris.
You can view a volunteer role profile for the fit as a fiddle project here.
You can also find out more about fit as a fiddle on the
Age UK website.
