Connections 21

Age UK Bradford District Launches Connections 21 Campaign

Age UK Bradford District is launching Connections 21, a campaign to raise awareness as well as funds for the charity so that they can continue to connect older people to the information, help and support, advice and activities that they need to live their best life.

Over the last two years the charity has talked to older people across Bradford District about what makes a good life and were told that it was family and friendship, health, finance, home and community.

Through a range of programmes Age UK Bradford District are now aiming to help older people to live their best lives by building the connections that are important to them in their local neighbourhoods. This includes making sure they have choice and control over their lives with access to information, help with building digital awareness, providing advice to meet their specific needs and promoting independence by enabling them to develop and get involved with the activities and groups they want to live healthy lives connected to their communities. 

The campaign is also about raising awareness of how people, of whatever age and background, can help by using their skills, interests and abilities to make sure their neighbourhoods are great places to grow old. This could be through volunteering, being community buddies or neighbourhood champions. The charity’s goal is to build community connections that create and reinforce positive relationships and lifestyles developing age friendly communities across Bradford District

The “Connections 21” campaign will run from July 5th to September 3rd and will include the official openings of six new Community Hubs based in Allerton, Idle, Keighley, Queensbury, Shipley and Wrose.

Mark Rounding, Chief Executive, says “We hope that our Community Hubs across Bradford District will become vibrant locations for people to make the connections they need. From these hubs by listening, talking, understanding and acting together with older people, we aim to begin to build the age friendly communities people want where everyone’s skills and abilities are valued.

It’s not really about the hubs or premises though, it’s about the communities they serve and enabling the people across those communities to reconnect and build the day to day activities, routines and interests they want, especially after the past challenging year.”

On Saturday 31st July, staff, volunteers and supporters will take part in the “Walk of Ages”, a 24 mile fundraising walk that visits each of the Community Hubs on the route. There’s also a 7 mile version and anyone is welcome to join in and, hopefully, help raise funds for the charity. People interested should call 01274 391190 or visit their website for more details.

There are also two virtual walks that can be undertaken to raise money for the charity while going about everyday life. One is around some of the landmarks of Bradford District (9.6 miles / 22,000 steps) and there is a longer walk around West Yorkshire (78 miles /178,000 steps). More details are available by searching for “Age UK Bradford District” at “World Walking” to discover the two virtual walks.

To support Age UK Bradford District’s work across the local area people can also go to justgiving.com/campaign/connections21 or donate via text message by texting CONNECT to 70450 to donate £3, or texting CONNECT to 70460 to donate £5. Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard rate message.

The official launches of the Community Hubs are on the following dates:

Shipley – 27^th July

Idle – 3^rd August

Allerton – 10^th  August

Wrose – 12^th August

Queensbury – 24^th August

Keighley – 2^nd September

Anyone wanting to find out more or get involved can call 01274 391190 for a chat with one of the Age UK Bradford District team.