Strategic Initiatives

Approaching Funding Wisely

Care for the elderly, a growing area of concern, was the subject under discussion at the Barbican Centre in London on 27 March 2006. Approaching Funding Wisely, a conference hosted jointly by Bridge House Trust and Age Concern London, focused on exploring the benefits and pitfalls of different funding routes for organisations supporting older people. The event also saw the launch of the Trust's new small grants programme, 'Improving Services for Older People', which offers a grant over two years plus capacity building support.

The event was hugely successful with over 200 people in attendance from a range of community organisations across London. The day was chaired by Malcolm Dean, Assistant Editor of The Guardian, and Dinah Cox, Chief Executive of Race on the Agenda.

The day began with a keynote speech by Baroness Kay Andrews OBE, The Lord's Minister for Housing and Planning in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. A lively and interesting debate followed on the future of public service delivery between Barry Knight, Director of CENTRIS, Campbell Robb, Director of Public Policy at NCVO and Andrea Kelmanson, freelance consultant to third sector organisations. In the afternoon attendees split up in to six workshops, each of which looked at a different aspect of funding for older people's services.

The day was rounded off in a light-hearted mood with everyone being given a bag of chocolate coins as a reward for their efforts!

Picture: Bridge House Trust's Small Grants Officer, Sandra Davidson, addressing the conference