Cost Of Living Support For Older People and Carers

Who we help...

PramaLife is a Dorset charity that provides care and opportunities for older people.

Our vision is a world where no-one is unfairly disadvantaged or excluded because of age or infirmity and where every person can enjoy life.

 We enable older people and carers to lead independent and fulfilling lives, by enhancing their health and well-being by providing over 60 clubs, groups and activities across Bournemouth. Christchurch, Poole and East Dorset.

Memory Lane Groups (for those living with dementia), Sporting Memories (dementia and reminiscence friendship clubs), Museum Memories (dementia and reminiscence friendship clubs), Carers Support Groups, Befriending services, Community Connectors (this is a buddying/ befriending scheme to re-integrate people back into community-based activities), Lunch Clubs, Coffee Mornings, Knit and Natter Groups, Art and Craft Activities and Exercise Clubs.

In the past 12 months we have supported over 1498 people with these activities, the majority of whom would otherwise be lonely, isolated or facing social exclusion.

Our idea...

During recent months, our group participants have become increasingly worried about the cost of living crisis. the rising cost of their bills and how they are going to cope financially, most on a basic state pension, during the months ahead.

We want to expand our work to support more people over the age of 60 who are at risk of falling into poverty because they are not able to access the benefits system. Expanding our present advice and guidance support to include support for people to access benefits, we will help more people to access advice with making benefit applications. As a Charity, we are seeing a significant growth in the number of participants who need support with accessing the benefits system to maximise their income. Over the next few months, we expect this to increase again due to the rising cost of living and the fact that older people are on a fixed income from their pension.

In addition, we shall provide advice and guidance on how to keep control of the household bills and signpost people to other charities and agencies that might be able to support them further. 

Any additional funding will be put towards the free lunch clubs & warm spaces that we provide in Poole and Bournemouth.

Our impact...

During January/February 2022 we surveyed 264 of our participants, across all our support groups for older people and carers. 

The key results are:  

Question 

I have the support I need or I know where to find it

Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Often      All the time

2%            3%             19%              29%             47%

I feel less lonely as a result of coming to this activity

Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Often      All the time

-                3%              15%             31%            51%

I gained the support of others in this group

Never     Rarely     Sometimes     Often      All the time

   -             3%              17%             31%           49%

These results are supported by feedback from participants at our groups.

 What people say about PramaLife..

"Although I used to take my Mother-in-Law to a number of activities through various organisations, PramaLife were always at the forefront in offering assistance, they were the only organisation who telephoned, or “doorstep” visited me on a weekly basis throughout the lockdown and were the first to contact me when matters eased." 

"I feel so much better coming to the groups. I see people and therefore don’t feel alone. I have to wait for my carers to come in the morning but then I go to the coffee morning.  It really affected me when everything had to close as I live alone."  

"I’ve been alone, being able to get out and meet people again has made such a difference. Lockdown made me feel so lonely at times. I’ve come along to the keep fit and coffee morning. It’s made such a difference to how I feel."

"My Mother-in-Law is often in low spirits despite the efforts of my wife and myself, but when I say to her “We are going to PramaLife today” she somehow remembers, smiles, becomes animated and quite honesty cannot get out of her little flat fast enough. Thanks to PramaLife."