Time to Shine has used a ‘test and learn’ approach to finding out what works to reduce loneliness and social isolation among older people.

We have always encouraged all of our partners to try new things, question whether and how they work or don’t. The most important thing is to learn from this and use that learning to improve things in the future. This might be through front line workers or strategic decision-makers and commissioners.

As Time to Shine now enters the final year of our work, we plan to spend this year sharing that learning more widely through a series of practitioner-focussed workshops, strategic webinars and celebratory activity. We don’t have a programme finalised yet, but you can sign up to our new monthly Time to Shine Learning news to receive information about the events.

We have started the year in a practical way, offering interactive training based on our Co-production toolkit, to both individuals and organisations. As well as being available on our website, there are limited paper copies available for those who need a print version. If you think your organisation would benefit from training please do get in touch.

We are planning to revisit work we started earlier in the programme – like sharing effective ways of supporting men, or using food as an effective medium to create social space. There are also topics to cover that the Covid-19 experience has thrown into sharp relief – including the value of older people as volunteers, or how well partnerships have worked.

One thing we have learned from both the Covid-19 experience and the test and learn approach is that learning, and sharing that learning, is never a finished thing. So there will also be opportunities to add topics as we go through the year and we hear from our delivery partners about what they have learned. If you want to be kept in the loop do sign up now.

Jessica Duffy
Learning Facilitator, Time to Shine