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LinkAge Plus

LinkAge Plus pilots are providing older people with access to a wide range of more integrated, joined-up services, including:

Eight pilots have been developed to bring together central government, local authorities and other organisations in partnerships to deliver services focussing on local needs.

Shared learning DVD

Learning from LinkAge Plus is available on an interactive DVD. This brings together information, resources, tools, good practice and real life case studies. It demonstrates a real partnership approach, providing links to other government departments and initiatives, local government and the voluntary and community sectors into one place. The DVD is being sent to over 1,000 Local Authorities and local delivery partners.

Background

LinkAge Plus builds on the proposals in ‘Opportunity Age – Meeting the challenges of ageing in the 21st century’, published in March 2005. This was the first ever cross-government strategy specifically focused on the issues facing society as people live longer, healthier lives.

One commitment in the report was to build on the success of the Link-Age Phase One developments (Joint Teams, Alternative Offices and the Partnership Fund) and pilot a LinkAge Plus service, to provide access to fully integrated services for older people.

This approach was subsequently reinforced by the publication of the Social Exclusion Unit report ‘A Sure Start to Later Life’ in January 2006. This report suggested that the Sure Start approach in galvanising communities and reshaping children’s services, could work equally well with older people.

The Sure Start principles of service delivery will ensure a service that is locally aimed, joined up, non-stigmatising, accessible and economically effective.