Opening Doors in Opening Doors in Central LondonCentral London

SSupporting Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People upporting Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People

in Central Londonin Central London

Why do we need to provide Why do we need to provide services to older LGBT people?services to older LGBT people?

Older LGBT people may have a greater need for Older LGBT people may have a greater need for health and social care services because, compared health and social care services because, compared with their heterosexual contemporaries, they are:with their heterosexual contemporaries, they are:

two-and-a-half times as likely to live alone.two-and-a-half times as likely to live alone. twice as likely to be single, and twice as likely to be single, and four-and-a-half times as likely to have no children to four-and-a-half times as likely to have no children to

call upon in times of need.call upon in times of need.

( DOH 2007)( DOH 2007)

What are the health and support What are the health and support needs of older LGBT people?needs of older LGBT people?

Older people are overwhelmingly perceived to be heterosexual Older people are overwhelmingly perceived to be heterosexual (heterosexism) in generic services, consequently older lesbian, (heterosexism) in generic services, consequently older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (OLGBT) people have often gay, bisexual and transgender (OLGBT) people have often been invisible in service provision for older people. been invisible in service provision for older people.

Therefore their needs are often overlooked in planning care, Therefore their needs are often overlooked in planning care, such as opportunities for maintaining social networks, such as opportunities for maintaining social networks, “significant others” as primary care givers and decision “significant others” as primary care givers and decision makers.makers.

20% of older LGBT people indicate that they have no one to 20% of older LGBT people indicate that they have no one to call on in times of crisis or difficulty, a rate of up to ten times call on in times of crisis or difficulty, a rate of up to ten times higher than the general population.higher than the general population.

Older LGBT People generally are more likely to be estranged Older LGBT People generally are more likely to be estranged from birth families, having moved to avoid disrimination. from birth families, having moved to avoid disrimination.

No where to go???No where to go??? Within LGBT community service Within LGBT community service

provision, little thought is given to the provision, little thought is given to the needs of older LGBT people.needs of older LGBT people.

Most generic service providers, particularly Most generic service providers, particularly for older people, ignore their LGBT service for older people, ignore their LGBT service users.users.

The “gay scene” places great emphasis on youth, The “gay scene” places great emphasis on youth, thereby excluding it’s LGBT seniors.thereby excluding it’s LGBT seniors.

One Scene Fits All??One Scene Fits All??

Past ExperiencePast Experience

Older LGBT people have lived a large part of Older LGBT people have lived a large part of their lives in less liberal times and their their lives in less liberal times and their experiences have made them understandably experiences have made them understandably wary and cautious. wary and cautious.

The “baby boomer” generation won’t have The “baby boomer” generation won’t have faced the same level of discrimination, faced the same level of discrimination, therefore more likely to be “out” and more therefore more likely to be “out” and more demanding of appropriate servicesdemanding of appropriate services

Background to the ProjectBackground to the Project

2002 Age Concern Opening Doors conference.2002 Age Concern Opening Doors conference. Gap in service provision, recognised/responded to by Gap in service provision, recognised/responded to by

gay member of staff at Age Concern Camdengay member of staff at Age Concern Camden Working group.Working group. ACE funding 2005/2006 to fund initial “pilot”.ACE funding 2005/2006 to fund initial “pilot”. Adult Social Care funding 2006/7 (Camden council).Adult Social Care funding 2006/7 (Camden council). City of London research on needs of older gay men City of London research on needs of older gay men

with Polari’s research (funded by Camden Council) with Polari’s research (funded by Camden Council) on needs of older lesbians which led to…on needs of older lesbians which led to…

Big Lottery bid proposal and submissionBig Lottery bid proposal and submission

What are the aims of the project ?What are the aims of the project ? To reduce social isolation for older LGBT To reduce social isolation for older LGBT

peoplepeople To improve the social well-being and mental To improve the social well-being and mental

health of older LGBT peoplehealth of older LGBT people To provide increased support for individuals To provide increased support for individuals

from the LGBT communities to remain from the LGBT communities to remain independent and live at home for longer independent and live at home for longer 

To increase awareness of the needs of older To increase awareness of the needs of older LGBT people within other statutory and LGBT people within other statutory and voluntary agencies voluntary agencies

How do we do this?How do we do this? Through holding regular social and other activities, including Through holding regular social and other activities, including

monthly men’s, women’s and mixed social events.monthly men’s, women’s and mixed social events. By providing a telephone advice and signposting service.By providing a telephone advice and signposting service. Distribution of the monthly “Opening Doors” newsletter.Distribution of the monthly “Opening Doors” newsletter. By recruiting LGBT volunteers to provide befriending to By recruiting LGBT volunteers to provide befriending to

older LGBT people.older LGBT people. By providing community safety surgeries and advice sessions.By providing community safety surgeries and advice sessions. By working in close partnership with many local and national By working in close partnership with many local and national

agencies, and providing referrals to other relevant agencies agencies, and providing referrals to other relevant agencies and organisations.and organisations.

By offering training to increase awareness of the needs of By offering training to increase awareness of the needs of older LGBT people within statutory and voluntary agencies.older LGBT people within statutory and voluntary agencies.

What kind of volunteering What kind of volunteering opportunities do we offer?opportunities do we offer?

Be a friendly visitor / befriender.Be a friendly visitor / befriender.

Help with our groups.Help with our groups. Lead a workshop or activity group.Lead a workshop or activity group. Help with our monthly newsletters.Help with our monthly newsletters. Help with events and parties.Help with events and parties.

Current and proposed management Current and proposed management and support of volunteers.and support of volunteers.

Currently all volunteers are recruited, trained and Currently all volunteers are recruited, trained and supervised through Age Concern Camden.supervised through Age Concern Camden.

However local befriending projects already in place However local befriending projects already in place (either AC or partners) will be supported to expand (either AC or partners) will be supported to expand current services and offer LGBT volunteers to LGBT current services and offer LGBT volunteers to LGBT clients.clients.

Volunteers with roles directly linked to events/groups Volunteers with roles directly linked to events/groups will be managed and supported by Project will be managed and supported by Project Coordinators.Coordinators.

Volunteer training on LGBT issues and awareness, Volunteer training on LGBT issues and awareness, assistance with recruitment and ongoing support will assistance with recruitment and ongoing support will be provided by Project Coordinators. be provided by Project Coordinators.

Community Safety and Community Safety and 33rdrd Party Reporting Party Reporting

Each local borough group will have a specific Each local borough group will have a specific link with an appropriate LGBT LOlink with an appropriate LGBT LO

Each group will host community safety/3Each group will host community safety/3 rdrd Party reporting speakers (e.g. Camden LGBT Party reporting speakers (e.g. Camden LGBT Forum)Forum)

Opening Doors project coordinators and Opening Doors project coordinators and volunteers will assist local LGBT LOs with volunteers will assist local LGBT LOs with community/venue outreach where appropriatecommunity/venue outreach where appropriate

Older LGBT HealthOlder LGBT Health

Working in partnership with The Royal Free Working in partnership with The Royal Free Hospital’s “The Marlborough Clinic” to Hospital’s “The Marlborough Clinic” to provide a safe and confidential space for older provide a safe and confidential space for older men to discuss any sexual health concerns and men to discuss any sexual health concerns and problems.problems.

Working with local PCT’s and other health Working with local PCT’s and other health services (including complementary health services (including complementary health services) to provide information on related services) to provide information on related health topics.health topics.

Who could best benefit from this project?Who could best benefit from this project?

Men and women who are over the age of 50, whom Men and women who are over the age of 50, whom identify as being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender identify as being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender and live, work or socialise in Camden, Hackney, and live, work or socialise in Camden, Hackney, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.Islington, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.

Older LGBT people who have little contact from others in Older LGBT people who have little contact from others in the community.the community.

Vulnerable Older LGBT people who may refuse services Vulnerable Older LGBT people who may refuse services from other agencies.from other agencies.

Older LGBT people who would like to meet and socialise Older LGBT people who would like to meet and socialise with like-minded people.with like-minded people.

Family, friends, groups or agencies who would like more Family, friends, groups or agencies who would like more information and advice on LGBT services.information and advice on LGBT services.

London ContextLondon Context

•Population of London over state pension age 2006; 1,034,700

•Estimated LGBT population over 50; between 75,000 and 100,000

Linking Up LondonLinking Up London

Opening Doors Central London works Opening Doors Central London works geographically within the five boroughs.geographically within the five boroughs.

However has a “membership” criteria of any However has a “membership” criteria of any who lives, works or socialises within the 5 who lives, works or socialises within the 5 boroughs.boroughs.

Advising on Opening Doors West, South, Advising on Opening Doors West, South, North and East London.North and East London.

How can you help? “Mystery Shopping”How can you help? “Mystery Shopping”

How can people refer to the Project?How can people refer to the Project?We will take referrals via email and phone. All we We will take referrals via email and phone. All we

require is the client’s permission to contact them.require is the client’s permission to contact them.

Nick Maxwell Nick Maxwell Men’s LGBT Development Co-ordinator Men’s LGBT Development Co-ordinator

n.maxwell@ageconcerncamden.org.ukn.maxwell@ageconcerncamden.org.uk tel: 020 7121 3335tel: 020 7121 3335

Debbie Neil Debbie Neil Women’s LGBT Development Co-ordinator Women’s LGBT Development Co-ordinator

d.neil@ageconcerncamden.org.ukd.neil@ageconcerncamden.org.uk tel: 020 7121 3331tel: 020 7121 3331

Older LGBT community Older LGBT community Celebrating PrideCelebrating Pride

Brighton GEMS hosted picnic Brighton GEMS hosted picnic