This document summarizes a project aimed at promoting health and wellbeing for older black and minority ethnic (BME) people. The project engaged over 5,500 people through national training of volunteers and roadshow events. Most participants were South Asian or Black/African Caribbean. The project helped increase physical activity, social interaction, and healthy eating habits. Key learnings included using volunteers who speak community languages and hosting activities in religious establishments. The model proved effective and could be continued independently with support from partners.

1. Health & Wellbeing
for Older People
Shaheen Bi
Insight & Projects Manager, Sporting Equals
Inclusive policy and practice
18th December 2012

2. Sporting Equals is one of the five national
partners commissioned to deliver the ‘Faith
and Community Strand’ for the fit as a
fiddle programme.
The aim of the project was to promote
health and wellbeing to black and minority
ethnic (BME) older people

3. NATIONAL PROJECT - Two elements:
1.National Training Programme
289 Volunteers trained across 39 partner organisations
2. Roadshows
29 Roadshow Events utilising 15 partner organisations
Total number of people engaged: 5,532

4. Fit as Fiddle - Ethnicity Profile
Faith and Other
15%
Mixed
Ethnicity 4%
South Asian
46%
Chinese
Profile 12%
Black or
African/Caribbean
23%
Fit as a Fiddle - Religious Profile
Not Specified
15.6%
Any Other Religion Christian
3.9% 27.0%
No Religion
10.0%
Jewish
0.4%
Hindu
9.6%
Buddhist
4.4%
Muslim Sikh
9.7% 19.5%

5. Project locations and coverage

6. Impact - Older People
• Eating more healthier; more fruit,
vegetables and water included in diet.
• Greater understanding of food preparation.
• Increasing physical activity levels (on
average an extra 2 hours of activity per
week).
• Social interaction, reduced isolation and
loneliness.

7. Impact - Projects
• Enhanced volunteer infrastructure
• Additional capacity support
• Established links to other services and
partners
• Change in management behaviour
• 79% of projects confirmed they would
continue with the activities

8. Key Learning – Health & Wellbeing
• Volunteers who speak community languages.
• Segregated activities to accommodate the needs of women.
• Use of religious establishments, community centres and word
of mouth to disseminate information.
• Healthy lifestyle linked to religious teachings to ensure BME
individuals could connect with messaging.
“The older people have formed good relationships with the volunteers. Those who
have been reluctant to take part are now willingly participating in the activities and
they appear to be enjoying themselves more and more”
CAPtA, Derbyshire

9. Key Learning; Policy & Practice
• Ensuring service providers are culturally
receptive to the needs of BME groups
• Forging stronger links between local community
groups and service providers
• Linking sport and physical activity to the wider
health agenda
‘Participants are more mindful of the need to incorporate exercise into
their lifestyles, some now walk to the bus stop and one has joined a
swimming class’, Coordinator Moreland Trust

10. Challenges and Opportunities
Model is being tailored to be used independently
Proven evidence base as it is a tried and tested approach
Requires buy-in from the sector
Opportunities for staff development and cascade training