We are excited to reveal a new video created by our team of reporters from our Talking About My Generation project has gone LIVE to support older people to be ‘Winterwise’

The short film was commissioned by the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub to support the launch of a new Winterwise Guide, containing advice and key information to help them get the support they need this winter.

The Greater Manchester Ageing Hub has partnered with national older person’s charity Independent Age to launch the new guide – which can be downloaded here.

Kirsty Day, project lead for Talking About My Generation, said: “The coming months are expected to be difficult for many older residents across Greater Manchester and beyond, as the costs of energy, food and other bills continue to rise. So we were delighted to be involved in the launch of the Winterwise Guide – putting older people in Greater Manchester front and centre in the campaign from ideas to execution including deciding on the content – messaging, visuals and production. We hope it goes a long way in supporting professionals, friends and family to connect with older people they know so we all stay safe, warm and well this winter.”

Christine Duffin, a Talking About My Generation reporter from Trafford, who stars in the video, added: “It was fantastic to be a part of this campaign, being taken out of my comfort zone to be the main presenter in the video, it was a brilliant new experience and important to have the views and opinions of older people that will need the guide being listened to and actioned. I hope more organisations will do this too!”

The guide includes useful information on cost of living support, and focuses on three key themes:

• ‘Stay warm’ – Providing information about the financial support that older people could access to help them with rising energy costs
• ‘Stay safe’ – Focusing on home safety advice for older people, including fire safety, how to spot and report scams, and what to do if they fall
• ‘Stay well’ – Tips and advice on mental health and wellbeing, eating well and keeping active

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This winter, the rising cost of living will put even greater pressure on those who might already be facing difficulties or need extra support to get by. In the face of these challenges, it’s vital that we do everything we can to help everyone through the winter months.

“The Winterwise guide, which we’ve developed together with Independent Age, is an important part of that effort. It contains information and advice for older residents in Greater Manchester, setting out some of the steps they can take to stay warm, well and safe this winter.”

To get a physical copy of the guide for yourself, your loved ones or older people you are supporting, please look out for local distributions such as at libraries, pharmacies, warm hubs and more, or call Independent Age on 0800 319 6789. You could also call your local council’s dedicated cost of living phone line for more advice and support.

If you would like to work with our team of older generation reporters on projects to get your messages seen and heard in the right places to the right audience, email kirsty@yellowjigsaw.co.uk