Dorset POPP is primarily a partnership between Dorset County Council, NHS Dorset, the Third Sector and older people.  However, the programme has developed a robust working partnership that extends beyond this and includes a range of other service providers, including Dorset Fire and Rescue, Dorset Police, libraries, community matrons, community pharmacies and others.

Dorset POPP, which went 'live' on 1 May 2006, is described as being 'community facing' (as opposed to 'health facing') by DoH, and is a complex and ambitious, person centred programme, led by the needs, desires, and aspirations of Dorset's older people.

Dorset has been broken down into 33 'clusters' to ensure local focus and delivery of all elements of the programme.

The vision of Dorset POPP is 'to build supportive communities to enable older people to remain living in their own homes for as long as they wish' by developing responsive, appropriate services and activities at a localised level.

• Background

  The national aim of POPP projects is to 'encourage councils in England with their NHS, local government, voluntary and community sector partners to devise innovative approaches to establishing sustainable arrangements for supporting older people in active and healthy living'.

• Community Development Workers

  POPP employs three Community Development Workers who support local activities and opportunities for older people in their area.

• Leadership programme

  There is one Leader in each POPP cluster (33 in total). They work seven hours a week, helping to build supportive neighbourhoods so that older people can maintain their independence.

• Wayfinder programme

  There are two Wayfinders in each cluster (66 in total). They work nine hours a week to raise awareness of services, give out information and identify help and support available within local communities.

• Evaluation of Dorset POPP

  Dorset POPP is one of 29 national POPP pilots testing new ways of improving the health and well-being of older people and helping shift resources currently tied up in more acute 'secondary' health care services (e.g. hospitals) in order to invest in more preventative and locally based support.

• Senior Forums

  Senior forums are local independent action groups for people over the age of 50. They aim to influence the planning, development and delivery of local services by getting their member's voices heard at key planning groups across Dorset. They also provide a valued social and communication network for many isolated older people.

• Community initiatives

  Dorset POPP has been allocated £635,000 over two years, to fund locally identified opportunities, activities and services.

• Where I live

  The POPP team are creating an online search that will list services and activities for over the 50s in Dorset.

• News

  The latest news on POPP, its projects and people.

• Contact

  If you would like more information about POPP, contact the Project Manager or your local POPP Community Development Worker.