Harold Stephens Community Fund Supports Two New Local Initiatives Benefiting Older Adults
Harold Stephens is delighted to announce the latest recipients of our Community Fund, supporting two fantastic initiatives that will make a real difference in the lives of older adults in North-West Bristol.
This funding round has provided grants to Flamingo Chicks for their inclusive Flamingo Dance programme and Alive Activities for their Carers Support Sessions. These projects address isolation and loneliness among older people, creating opportunities for connection, activity, and community involvement.
Supporting Wellbeing Through Dance
Flamingo Chicks’ Flamingo Dance classes, held at SilvaCare Horfield, offer fully inclusive movement sessions for older adults, many of whom have learning disabilities or physical health challenges. These sessions improve mobility, coordination, confidence, and mental wellbeing, while also providing an important social outlet.
In addition, the organisation hosts an annual Dance Festival at Trinity Henleaze, bringing together care homes and community groups to celebrate movement through a diverse range of dance styles. Beyond the classes, Flamingo Chicks fosters intergenerational connections by involving older adults in volunteering, from making props to assisting with sessions. This unique approach not only enhances sustainability but also provides a sense of purpose and creativity for care home residents and older volunteers.
Providing Support for Carers
Alive Activities will use their funding to launch Carers Support Sessions at their dementia-friendly community allotment in Brentry. These monthly two-hour sessions will offer unpaid carers a chance to engage in nature-based activities, gardening, and crafts, while building friendships and peer support networks.
Carers of older people and those living with dementia often experience isolation and a lack of social opportunities. This initiative will help them to feel more connected to their community while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of outdoor activity. Facilitated by experienced staff and trained volunteers, these sessions will allow carers to relax, share experiences, and participate in meaningful activities such as willow-weaving, planting miniature gardens, and making bird feeders.
Community Allotment Project Officer, Guy Manchester said: “Having run sessions for people living with dementia and their carers for over three years at the allotment now, we’ve become acutely aware of how impactful attending is for carers as well as the person they come with. So, when one of our regulars suggested a session specifically for carers, we were adamant we had had to make her vision a reality. Huge thanks to the Community Fund for helping us do this! We can’t wait to see the difference these sessions make in combating the isolation carers so often experience.”
Investing in the Community
Amy Wood, Community Engagement at Harold Stephens, expressed her enthusiasm for these projects:
“To be able to support these local initiatives means the world to our firm. We were thrilled to receive so many brilliant applications for the community fund - it’s exciting to see so much going on in our local area to benefit older residents. We loved both the Flamingo Chicks dance project and Alive Activities carers support, and we are so pleased to be able to contribute!”
Both projects align closely with the Harold Stephens Community Fund’s mission to reduce loneliness, encourage new social connections, and enable older adults to engage in enriching activities.
The next deadline for Community Fund applications is 30th April. Organisations interested in applying can find full details here: www.haroldstephens.co.uk/community-fund.