Get together next week with Gusto
Anyone who would like to find out more about how they can get involved in new activities and meet new people is urged to come along to an event next week in Shrewsbury.
This month’s Third Thursday Get-Together will offer the chance to find out about the latest activities and groups being set up as part of the Gusto project, ranging from talks on family history to Boccia sport sessions.
Gusto 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 19 April 2012, at the Trinity Centre, Church Road, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury from 9.30am to 11.30am. It 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 or hosting activities to learn more.
Shropshire Council was 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.
Gusto is being developed through People2People, a Social Work Practice pilot 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.
Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for community engagement, said:
“Since the project was launched earlier this year we have received a great response, with lots of ideas being brought forward and developed.
“This project celebrates the wealth of skills and knowledge in the community, and looks 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.”
Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:
“We are looking across the board to find innovative ways to ensure that services are being delivered in the best way possible, 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 provides another way to listen to our communities and develop support to suit their needs.”
For further information about Gusto, next week’s event and the activities and groups go to www.giveitsomegusto.org, contact Jo Kilcoyne on 07511 139932, email jo@giveitsomegusto.org or follow @GustoShrewsbury on twitter.
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.
