SOUTHAMPTON residents who participated in a survey in 2021 are now helping shape the provision of activities and services for older people in the city this year (May 2022).
The questionnaire asking residents to give their views was conducted at the end of last summer by the not-for-profit Southampton Living Well (SLW) – a partnership between the charities Social Care in Action (SCiA) and Age UK Southampton* (AUKS).
Alison Fisher, SLW’s Day Opportunities Manager, who helped co-ordinate the survey, says: “We were tasked last summer to consult with Southampton residents aged 60 and over to be able to find out what services they require, so together we could help shape future provision across the city.
“We had a great response, and I am delighted to announce that the results are now in and that the activity we had the most interest in, selected by respondents, is more opportunities to learn about healthy eating and drinking. In second place came more chair-based exercise classes and third more quizzes. We also had lots of people interested in health and wellbeing, as well as cooking for one and batch cooking. Local history, walking and music also featured in the top 10 activities people would like to see more provision of in the city.”
SLW is commissioned by Southampton City Council to deliver its service in partnership with SCiA and AUKS.
SLW provides a range of services for older people and their carers at various hubs across the city. It offers daytime activities and a safe, welcoming place for older people living in Southampton to go to.
It has transformed former day care centres into thriving activity hubs promoting friendship and fun, as well as hosting day trips and activities.
Alison continues: “Our hubs across the city – Oak Lodge near Bitterne, Freemantle Community Centre in Shirley, Chamberlayne Leisure Centre in Weston and Padwell on Padwell Road on the inner avenue are now fully open again and we’re keen for people to come along to join in with the various activities we offer. We even offer transport to each of our hubs if you live in Southampton. We understand that people have different life experiences and interests – our flexible and tailored approach means we cater for a wide range of requirements and preferences.
“If life has changed in some way, or an individual is feeling lonely and would like to meet new people and make new friends, we offer a wide range of activities they can choose to join in with. Our survey has helped us find out exactly what people would like to do now we’re in a post-Covid phase and we’re delighted we’re now able to re-start our activities once again.”
SCiA, which is based on Dukes Road in Southampton, is a not-for-profit group of charitable social enterprises working together to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the south of England.
For further details and to find out SLW’s hubs and how to book in for activities, please visit https://southamptonlivingwell.org.uk/ or call 023 8051 6024.
