Ambition for Ageing briefing: What works in tackling social isolation of older people in Bangladeshi communities

Ambition for Ageing are excited to share their newest briefing on what works in tackling social isolation of older people in small, tight-knit marginalised communities. The new briefing shares transferable learning from their Community Navigator project delivered by British Red Cross that worked with small, tight-knit ethnic minority communities – Bangladeshi communities – in Greater Manchester. Older people in these communities are at higher risk of social isolation, and some community members are at particularly high risk due to intersecting barriers from multiple factors.

Key learning includes:

• It is important to work in a culturally sensitive way with a community’s values to ensure you reach those at higher risk of social isolation within that community
• Intersecting barriers and characteristics can increase the risk of social isolation for some people, and this needs to be accounted for when planning projects
• Group work can be incredibly valuable when working within some communities to tackle social isolation, including the Community Navigator model. A ‘one size fits all’ approaches to building social connection will not work with all communities and may disadvantage some of the most marginalised people who stand to benefit the most from increased connection
• It is important to support project workers to be creative and adaptable when working in a culturally sensitive way
• Co-design with community members is essential to ensure projects are culturally aware, appropriate, and effective

To read the briefing click here