Key learning: flexible projects
By working alongside our delivery partners, using a test and learn approach, we have found that one size doesn’t fit all and projects need to be flexible in their design and approach.
There is a need for flexibility in the way that projects are designed and developed. A trusted relationship between the funder and project is vital in ensuring that staff feel able and supported to be creative in their approach and keep the needs of the older person at the centre of what they are trying to achieve.
Time to Shine projects have shown flexibility in:
- finding older people - going to the places older people are, where they already access.
- supporting people in a way that suits them, including through home visits, the frequency of meetings and the length of involvement in a project.
- having the confidence to change or adapt the project plan.
Throughout the programme the complexity of loneliness on individual has been staggering. The ability of a project to be flexible and responsive to individual needs has led to greater individual outcomes.
Learning links
Time to Shine reports
Food for thought: community connections through shared meals (Time to Shine, January 2020)
More resources on the importance of food in reducing social isolation
- Reducing the loneliness of vulnerable groups: a case study of the Small Funds project (Care Connect, 2017)
- Complexity Of Loneliness And Meaningful Relationships Report (Time To Shine, September 2019)
- Thinking of running an activity to reduce loneliness? Get inspired by Time to Shine (Care Connect, 2016)
- Time to Shine Training
- Trigger points - report (Time to Shine, July 2020)
- Trigger points - toolkit (Time to Shine, July 2020)
- Young at arts: reducing loneliness and social isolation through offering creative social opportunities (Care Connect, 2017)
Reports from other Ageing Better programmes
- ‘An ordinary conversation’ – what works in street outreach? (Ageing Better in Camden, May 2019)
- Learning from chat and splash (Birmingham Ageing Better, May 2020)
- Lessons learnt from running group activities - video (Ageless Thanet, October 2020)
- Mental Health and Wellbeing - Learning Digest (Bristol Ageing Better, January 2020)
- Providing access to digital services for those not online (Ageing Better in East Lindsey, September 2020)
- Resilience through digital inclusion (Ageing Better in East Lindsey, September 2020)
- What has the Bristol Support Hub for Older People learnt about online and telephone group activities? (Bristol Ageing Better, September 2020)
- Working in the sector: adaptation, flexibility and engagement (Ageing Better in East Lindsey, February 2021)
National reports
- Creating a learning culture - learning from Ageing Better (National Lottery Community Fund, April 2020)