New activities and groups set up with Gusto
An event this week in Shrewsbury will offer the chance to find out about activities and groups being set up as part of a new project, ranging from drama and circle dancing to hand massages and pampering.
People are invited to discover more about Gusto, which is looking at new ways for people to get together with others, do more of the activities they love and try new things.
The free event will take place on Thursday 15 March 2012, at The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive, Shrewsbury, from 1pm to 3pm.
At a previous event last month people were asked to come along to enjoy activities and see if they would like to join Gusto; either to get involved in activities that they are not already taking part in, or to host events for other members.
This week’s event will provide an opportunity for people who have joined Gusto to spend time together, get involved in activities members have come forward to host, and for anyone interested in joining, to learn more and get involved.
Other activities members are planning to host include coffee mornings, a visit to Wroxeter, as well as sessions on crafting reusable shopping bags and meditation.
Shropshire Council and People2People – the Social Work Practice pilot – were awarded almost £100,000 from the Design Council and the Technology Strategy Board to run the project as part of the national Keeping Connected Business Challenge, which aims to develop innovative ideas to increase older people’s independence, confidence and links to others who can offer support.
Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:
“It’s great to see Gusto taking shape. The groups and sessions are being set up after talking to people about what would encourage them to take part in more activities and how they can support others in their communities.
“We are celebrating the wealth of skills and knowledge in the community and looking to improve links so that people can work together to help each other. The project recognises that having a strong network of people around you is fundamental to independence and well-being.
“This is about putting the customer at the heart of what we do, finding solutions based on what individuals want to embrace, and bringing people together through their shared interests and passions.
“We are looking across the board to find innovative ways to ensure that services are being delivered in the best way possible to suit individual needs, and help people to remain independent and active members of their communities for as long as possible.
“People have told us they want to have more choice, control, independence and alternatives to traditional services, and this builds on a range of initiatives currently taking place to achieve these aims.”
Gusto is being developed through People2People, which has been set up by social workers under a not-for-profit social enterprise to look at new ways of providing social work support for people to become more active and independent.
For further information about Gusto, this week’s event and the activities and groups, go to www.giveitsomegusto.org, contact Jo Kilcoyne on 07511 139932, email jo@giveitsomegusto.org or go to www.twitter.com and search for @GustoShrewsbury.
Further information
The Keeping Connected Business Challenge is part of the Independence Matters programme run by the Design Council and the Technology Strategy Board, which aims to encourage business innovation to meet the needs of an ageing population and challenge stereotypes and perceptions about later life. For more information on the challenge, the Design Council and the Technology Strategy Board go to http://www.keepingconnected.co.uk
For further details on People2People click here.
