Community development work for older people
Community development work is about supporting people to improve their own neighbourhoods and communities using a variety of methods including:
- advocacy
- consultation
- building the skills of individuals and groups to participate in decision-making processes
We have community development workers based at Woden, Bradley and Warstones community resource centres. They provide support to older people to help them achieve greater self-representation and become more effectively involved in their communities.
How do they do this?
Community development workers enable older people to:
- work in partnership with others who have the same goals
- recognise their strengths and skills and make better use of them
- influence decisions that directly affect them so they can have greater control over their lives and become more independent
- plan, organise and take action to achieve personal goals
- take part in projects that overcome barriers such as ageism and social exclusion
Why we value older people
Older people are a valuable asset to the community. As carers, grandparents and mentors they have knowledge, experience and skills that are highly valued by friends and family.
Enabling older people to voice their views on the quality of local services is fundamental to ensuring service provision adequately and appropriately meets their needs.
We have a strategy for older people which seeks to maximise independence, health and quality of life.
‘Adding life to years’ as well as ‘years to life’ is the ethos underpinning the modernisation of service provision and delivery.
Community development work is one approach the council uses that enables older people to positively contribute to their communities in way that promotes a sense of belonging, wellbeing and self-worth.
Download our community development workers leaflet
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