The Good Practice Mentor (GPM) programme is a new and innovative project that brings together legacy, learning and resources from Ageing Better, a seven year Test & Learn project that worked to reduce social isolation and loneliness in people aged over 50, and engaged more than 150,000 people in over 366 projects.

Since March 2022 the GPM team have been promoting the legacy of Ageing Better, sharing the learning, resources and skills needed to provide a coordinated and collaborative local response to social isolation and loneliness among older people, as well as working on a national level to address challenges faced by many larger organisations striving to reach, connect and empower older people in the community. Further funding has enabled this work to continue and Good Practice Mentors are keen to work with organisations who want to increase their engagement with, and support of, older citizens in the community. We’ll use our expertise and previous learning to share experiences, help build skills and confidence that will enable the creation of new connections, influence decision makers and drive system change.

We want to help you find and highlight the voices of older people in your communities, creating the right environment for connection building and the development of robust, citizen led networks.

The GPM team includes; South Yorkshire Housing Association, Age UK Camden and Leeds Older People Forum

Each partner brings a unique set of learning and skills to the project, and together we offer a wide range of training, bespoke support for your organisation and toolkits and resources to help you on your journey to reducing loneliness and isolation.

Find out more about the Good Practice Mentor programme and the range of support on offer by contacting gpm@syha.co.uk.