£100k fund launched to transform older people's services

Linked arms

The alliance is chaired by the Dean of Bristol, Dr David Hoyle and is made up of the The St Monica Trust, Quartet Community Foundation, The Anchor Society, John James Bristol Foundation, The Dolphin Society and the Society of Merchant Venturers.

The Dean of Bristol, Dr David Hoyle, said: “This is a historic moment for Bristol and marks the first time ever that six of the city’s leading charitable trust’s have linked arms to create an alliance of this kind.

“With cuts to traditional sources of funding for organisations that support older people, we hope that forming the Bristol Older People’s Funding Alliance will give them the breathing space to continue to provide their much needed services in the future.”

The Bristol Older People’s Funding Alliance aims to help organisations change and adapt to meet the challenges posed by cuts to their traditional sources of funding.

Dragons' Den

The St Monica Trust’s Director of Development and Research, Sara Naylor-Wild, said: “It’s a similar principle to Dragons' Den where each member of the alliance can choose which project they would like to fund and they will then be responsible for that particular project’s delivery.

“Like Dragons' Den, members can also jointly fund a project and there is a huge amount of expertise in our individual charities, both in terms of running successful ventures and providing services for older people, that we can share.

“Although we can guarantee to anyone who is thinking of applying that they will get a much friendlier welcome than from the dragons!”

Improving the quality of life for older people

The fund will help organisations become sustainable, improve existing services or develop innovations that will have a positive effect on the quality of life for older people.

The type of projects that can be supported by the fund, include setting up social enterprises, gaining skills to enhance fundraising activities, setting up mergers and using technology to improve their efficiency and reach.

Vanessa Moon, President of The Dolphin Society, said: “We are delighted to be part of this joint initiative, which aligns perfectly with our charitable objectives to support the elderly and disabled in Bristol to live independently and safely in their own homes.” John Haworth, Vice Chairman of the John James Bristol Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be part of this transformational Alliance to enable charitable organisations to adjust to meet the changing needs of the elderly in the City of Bristol.”

Bristol Ageing Better

The fund will be managed by Bristol Ageing Better, a Big Lottery funded programme that is working with individuals and organisations to reduce isolation and loneliness amongst older people in Bristol.

Bristol Ageing Better’s Programme Director, Adam Rees, said: “The Transformation Fund has been launched to give organisations the opportunity to make a change to their delivery model, or try something different that they think will both improve their service and the quality of life for older people living within the Bristol area.”

All organisations will be asked to complete an Expression of Interest form and submit it before the deadline of Thursday 22 February. The successful organisations that meet the fund’s criteria will then be shortlisted and invited to complete a full application for funding.

For more information about The Bristol Older People’s Funding Alliance and to request an Expression of Interest form, please email bab@ageukbristol.org.uk, call 0117 928 1539 or go to www.agefriendlybristol.org.uk/transformation-fund/