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Dorset Partnership for Older People's Project (POPP)

POPP logo

Dorset POPP is funded by central government as one of 29 national pilot programmes to improve the quality of life for older people by making sure that opportunities are put in place locally to promote healthy lifestyles, independence and preventative services and activities. The project was launched in May 2006 and was awarded £2.4 million to spend over two years.

The project is a partnership between older people, Dorset County Council, the Primary Care Trust and the voluntary sector. We are working to ensure that older people influence the services that are available at a local level to enable them to remain living in their own communities for as long as they wish. Links to some of our partners' websites are listed on the right.

  • Older couple walking: Link to BackgroundBackground

    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'.

  • Older person getting friendly advice: Link to Community Development WorkersCommunity Development Workers

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

  • Sharing experiences at a POPP event: Link to Leadership programmeLeadership 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 gives advice at Wareham launch: Link to Wayfinder programmeWayfinder 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.

  • Man looking through magnifying glass: Link to Evaluation of Dorset POPPEvaluation 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.

  • Helpers in kitchen at the Wareham launch: Link to Senior ForumsSenior 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.

  • Group of older people: Link to Community initiativesCommunity initiatives

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

  • Gardening at Christchurch Day Centre: Link to Where I liveWhere I live

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

  • Newspaper: Link to NewsNews

    The latest news on POPP, its projects and people.

  • Office worker talking on the phone: Link to ContactContact

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