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Brighter Futures

Mental health is a fundamental part of our general well-being, and as we get older there is a greater chance of it deteriorating through isolation, poverty, physical health and discrimination.

Brighter Futures aims to improve the mental health of residents in Greater Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire through a programme targeting volunteers over the age of 50. Focussing on social inclusion, the project will tap into the unique ability of older people to deal with problems relating to age through a volunteer mentoring scheme.

Depression and feelings of loss commonly affect those who have recently retired: a lack of routine and contact with others can lead to self-doubt and isolation. With the help of local education courses, centres and churches, the Brighter Futures mentors will aim to build confidence in vulnerable people in areas where knowledge or skills are lacking or have been lost entirely. For the housebound, the project will organise activities in the home to improve quality of life.

Mentoring those who are suffering from poor mental health will allow the volunteers to contribute to the lives of isolated people over 50, the community at large and will boost their own feelings of self-worth.

Working alongside Better Government for Older people in South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire Association for Mental Health and Glasgow Association for Mental Health, Brighter Futures aims to create a bridge between the beneficiaries and the community, in the shape of volunteer mentors. They will empower people to make positive changes in their lives, helping to address age discrimination, both directly and indirectly, in the process.

What the group says:

Why should people vote for you?

76% of men and 94% of women over the age of 65 who live at home, live on their own. Retirement can be a lonely and difficult time for people in later life. 1 in 7 older people experience serious depression yet they do not always receive a diagnosis, which means that they do not get the care of treatment that they need. For older people, counselling and other forms of support are rarely available. Too often only antidepressant medication is offered and it can have negative side-effects.

What will you spend the money on?

If funded, we will work to improve the mental health and well being of isolated older people who are at risk of depression and who are often most invisible in society. The project will recruit older volunteers who will work together with lonely older people to help them overcome their isolation. The volunteers will be people who are around retirement age and are aware that they have a valuable contribution to make to those who have less opportunities than themselves. Support from volunteers may include providing practical help to address issues which may contribute to their isolation and create opportunities for older people who are lonely to get more involved and connected with others in their communities.

The Mental Health Foundation website

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