Our vision is a world where older people live lives full of value, meaning, and connection. Our mission is to prioritise health and wellbeing into later life.
Why the community needs us
Alive engages older people creatively through meaningful activity. We train and support carers to enrich the lives of older people. We reduce older people's social isolation by connecting them to their local communities and we speak up for the rights of older people to those with the power to improve their lives.
We work across Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, and Bath & North East Somerset, with older people living in care and in the community, the majority of whom are living with dementia.
There are currently 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK, more than ever before, with the total projected to rise to more than 1.6 million by 2050. 209,600 will develop dementia this year - that’s one every three minutes. Over 400,000 older people live in residential care in the UK and approximately 80% of care home residents have dementia or severe memory problems.
COVID has exacerbated the difficulties experienced by people living with dementia: 82% of people living with dementia reported an increase in their symptoms during lockdown, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and agitation or restlessness (Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK, 2020). National lockdowns, shielding and social distancing requirements impacted disproportionately on the mental health and wellbeing of older people and those living with dementia, many of whom felt lost without their usual regular routine, isolated, lonely and cut off from their family, friends and local community.
Our impact on the community
Last year, Alive enriched the lives of 2,712 older people through a total of 8,807 attendances in a wide range of engaging activity. We delivered 174 sessions, including guided reminiscence, music, poetry, history, gentle movement and dance, creative art, digital storytelling, horticultural therapy and intergenerational activities.
"I like it here, it's a laugh and it makes me feel happier”; “I was ever so anxious about coming out today, I didn't know what to expect, but it's been so special. The children have been so wonderful and kind. I feel so lucky. I'm so pleased I came; I don’t feel depressed at all anymore”; “Since being here this has been one of my nicest days”; “Please come again, I had a lovely time” – Residents and participants “I haven’t seen him this relaxed in a long time he really is enjoying it here today"; “When we’re at home we argue all the time but we never do that when we're at the allotment, we just talk like in the old days”; “You make people’s hearts sing with joy!”– Participants’ families/carers “We’ve loved having your sessions, they’ve brought some joy and fun into the home”; "It's really beautiful to see how you interact with people"; “They loved it so much, they just wanted to keep it going” – Care home Staff “The training was really useful"; “It’s good to share ideas, it really helps”; “These forums have kept me going and given me some great ideas”; “I plan my activities better now and don’t run the same activity all the time”– Coaching, Training and Active Care Forum participants
“The Meeting Centre is definitely a very ‘alive’ place because of the wonderful things you do and the smile you put on people’s faces!”; “I really appreciate the sessions you run, because for those 5 hours, Alive is doing the heavy lifting and I can relax. You guys are helping to keep me going and keep me sane.” – dementia Meeting Centre members
