New Project: Ageing Well in Lancashire
Today we have launched our latest project, Ageing Well in Lancashire, which aims to investigate people’s knowledge, expectations and needs as they begin ageing whilst living in Lancashire.
You can take part in our survey here.
Lancashire has a growing population of older people, and whilst there may be a longer life expectancy, many people are living in poor health from a younger age.
There is an anticipated increase on the demand for social care services and the NHS, with services already stretched to capacity and limited funding available.
In 2023 the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Partnership published their 2023-2028 Integrated Care Strategy. In this strategy they lay out their five priorities of care, which were formulated following consultation with local communities. These priorities are Starting Well, Living Well, Working Well, Ageing Well and Dying Well: Lancashire and South Cumbria Strategy Document
Many people living in Lancashire do not have a family support network. This includes people who have had children pass away, those who care for children with additional needs, those unable to have children for medical reasons, people who have chosen not to have children due to socio-economic factors, LGBTQ+ communities, people who have grown up in care and those who have been long-term carers for elderly parents.
Ageing Well in Lancashire Proposal
This project will explore what matters most to people about ageing well, what concerns they may have about ageing without a family support network and what barriers people may face around advocacy and consent in the event of an emergency or life-changing/limiting condition such as dementia.
Our aim is to highlight what is working well and to identify barriers to a good quality of care. We will share our findings with both public and private service providers to implement service improvement and create positive change.
Proposed Methodology
Community Engagement
From September to November, we will attend community groups, local events and pop-ups across Lancashire to reach people without family support networks. We will also work with charities, advocacy groups, befriending services, and NHS partners to connect with socially isolated and housebound individuals. At least 28 engagement activities will take place, spread evenly across Central, West, East, North and Coastal Lancashire.
Online Survey
An online survey will run from September to November, giving housebound or hard-to-reach people the chance to share their views. It will be promoted through social media, engagement events, and in key community spaces such as libraries and healthcare settings.
Focus Groups
Focus groups will be held within community groups supporting socially isolated people. Discussions will follow the same themes as the survey, allowing us to gather deeper insights into people’s experiences.
Lived Experience Case Studies
We will hold individual conversations, either face-to-face, by phone or video call, to understand what it means to age without family support. Some will be filmed for use on our website and social media, with all data collected in line with Healthwatch and GDPR regulations.
Stakeholder Meetings
We will share project updates at local networking meetings, including Integrated Care Communities (ICCs) and VCFSE groups. These will help raise awareness and encourage collaboration with partners such as Healthier Fleetwood, Burnley Together, Rossendale Connected and Talkin Tables.
If you would like to share your views on Ageing Well, you can fill in our survey here.
Or, speak to a member of our team on 01524 239100 or info@healthwatchlancashire.co.uk