Ageing Well booklet feedback - People Bank involvement

1. Out of the 22 People Bank members who responded to this question, 17 said they preferred the title ‘Living Well’. The response from all 188 survey respondents was in line with this.

1. We are pleased to confirm that we will be calling the booklet ‘Living Well’ to reflect people’s top choice.

2. 19 members told us their preferred cover layout. 8 preferred a single image of two friends, and 7 favoured a layout with multiple images, including four friends above a larger image of a single rambler. Of the 188 respondents, more (47%) favoured the layout with multiple images, compared with 38% who preferred the single image of two friends.

2. As there were mixed views on the top cover choice, we have chosen to go with the version that includes multiple images. This means we can give a better flavour of the mix of topics covered in an issue.

3. Of the eight image types for the front cover, the one of four friends was the most popular (11 votes) followed by the image of two ramblers (10). For the 188 survey respondents, the most popular image was of two hikers (200 votes), followed by the images of a single rambler, and of four friends (160 and 130 votes respectively).   

The least popular image for both the People Bank and all 188 respondents was of a person writing.

3. It’s helpful to get an idea of the sort of images people would like to see on the first cover. Your preferences will aid our thinking when the editorial board makes a final decision about the cover.

4. When asked which topics they would most like to see covered in the booklet, members’ most popular choices were:

• making the most of the natural environment to help them stay well (16),
• adapting their home as they age (16),
• improving/managing mental health (15),
• general tips on wellbeing and ageing (15), and
• building new friendships/social connections (15).

For all 188 survey respondents, this final category (new friendships) was the most popular answer, along with two other social and community topics (knowing what is going on in their community to help them stay well; finding new interest and hobbies). The next most common responses were receiving general tips, and staying physically healthy.

4. We will focus the booklet on practical activities in the local area that can be done now, and on positive and aspirational topics which can lead to a full, happy and healthy life. People’s preferences for topics will inform the articles we include.

5. Most members (17) said they would pick up the free booklet up if they saw it in their local area. 4 said they maybe would, while 1 said no. This matches the views of the 188 survey respondents, the majority of whom (134) said they would pick up the booklet.

5. We are pleased to see that most People Bank members would pick up a copy of the booklet.

6. One member asked why the council is spending time and money producing the booklet when a variety of different providers already offer resources which cover similar content.

6. We agree that there are many sources of information available around ageing well and wellbeing. However, this means people often get conflicting information and advice, and don’t necessarily know which sources to trust. This can be frustrating and make people unmotivated to make changes in their lives.

The booklet aims to address this, with clear messages and sources of information and support, targeted and promoted to include people who are not currently accessing this information. The publication is a low-cost initiative, coproduced with a range of local people and organisations (including volunteer citizens) to further reduce costs. The booklet would also address feedback received about our Full of Life booklet, celebrating the United Nation’s Older People’s Day, which showed enthusiasm for stories about local people which readers find relatable.

Finally, the booklet reflects a shift to greater emphasis on wellbeing and prevention, helping people to help themselves, and improving the longer-term sustainability of adult social care.