Reaching, stimulating and supporting older social entrepreneurs

Gillian Easson, Development Manager

Sunday Herald 14/12/09

Poor Health

60yrs 90yrs

Good Health

70yrs 80yrs

X

P

When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now Will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine? If I'd been out 'til quarter to three, would you lock the door? Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four? You'll be older too Ah, and if you say the word, I could stay with you I could be handy, mending a fuse when your lights have gone You can knit a sweater by the fireside, Sunday mornings, go for a ride Doing the garden, digging the weeds, who could ask for more? Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four? Every summer we can rent a cottage In the Isle of Wight if it's not to, dear We shall scrimp and save Ah, grandchildren on your knee, Vera, Chuck and Dave Send me a postcard, drop me a line stating point of view Indicate precisely what you mean to say, yours sincerely wasting away Give me your answer, fill in a form, mine forever more Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?

WHEN I’M

SIXTY FOUR…

Space for new opportunities in 20-30 year

window of ‘retirement’

Volunteering

Learning

Grand-parenting /

caring

Part-time work

Do nothing = disengage

Hobbies

Over 2 years, 27 new social innovators in their 50s and 60s supported to design, develop and deliver their good ideas for community ventures. 16 awarded micro finance investment - average grant was £5,000.

Enhanced participant’s sense of purpose, self-belief, instilled confidence and determination.

Age Unlimited Scotland

to learn

for my grand

children

to earn

to give back

to help

to keep active

for wellbeing

to pass on

for my town

Programme Features Programme Benefits

Five group workshops and peer

networks

Someone to share experiences with, gain

business skills and build confidence

Practical tools Tools to make the idea more robust, test and

build the business case

Specialist expertise and advice Help to overcome barriers in particular areas

Peer mentoring Help to sustain the momentum with a critical

friend

Micro finance investment To help establish the venture

Follow on support Ensure long term venture sustainability

AUS programme involved

‘Ordinary’ people, who are actually pretty extraordinary!

Mamie Donald launched a computer games club for the over-50s, after identifying older people want to play online games such as Farmville too, as a way to gain computing confidence for other uses such as communication, shopping and hobbies.

Mamie Donald, Edinburgh – Third Age Computer Fun

Ena Brown, East Kilbride – The Hub Café

Ena Brown spotted a gap in her local area to bring older people together for tea, cake, laughs and entertainment. The Hub Café was born.

Rooted Guide: Growing Your Own Social Venture A practical step-by-step guide for supporting social entrepreneurship in later life.

A free publication for social entrepreneurs in later life: Rooted Guide: Growing Your Own Social Venture To request complimentary paperback copies please contact: rooted@nesta.org.uk

View it online: www.nesta.org.uk/rooted

Gillian Easson

@GillianEasson

www.nesta.org.uk/ageunlimitedscotland

Thank you!