Dreamlike Neighbourhood

Dreamlike Neighbourhood: Older people are making meaningful connections in their communities

DreamlikeNeighbourhood Logo

Client / Funding programme:
Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union
KA204 STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR ADULT EDUCATION Educational game: Building Inclusive Environments for All Generations n° 2020-1-AT01-KA204-077953:

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

Start and end dates:
12/2020 – 11/2022

Website: www.dreamlike-neighbourhood.eu

AFEdemy role in the project:

AFEdemy will coordinate IO2 “Concept & Curriculum “Neighbourhood Training Groups”.  AFEdemy will also format and train a group in The Hague. 

☒ Coordination
☒ Research
☒ Training
☒ Curriculum development
☐ e-Learning Platform
☒ Networking
☐ Policy recommendation

Description (Context)

Due to demographic changes and a widely supported policy of ageing in place, the number of older people, who live alone will increase immensely. Thus, supportive residential neighbourhoods enabling older people to age in place successfully are required. Besides age-friendly housing, safe environments and availability of public transport possibilities to connect with other (older) adults in the neighbourhood are crucial for the well-being of older people. In fact, affective, instrumental and emotional support provided within the neighbourhood environment have been identified as important predictors of community dwelling older people’s well-being. People with strong social connections live longer, have better mental health, improved physical health and are happier.

Objectives

  • Formation of neighbourhood training groups consisting of older and very old men and women to meet regularly and support each other in (re-)identifying their talents, dreams and handling challenges.

AFE Related Topics

☐ Outdoor spaces and buildings
☒ Social participation
☐ Transport and mobility
☒ Social inclusion and non-discrimination
☐ Housing
☐ Civic engagement and employment
☒ Communication and information
☐ Community and health services

Process

The Erasmus+ project started in December 2020 and runs until the end of November 2022.

Target

Older adults who are interested in connecting with other people in their neighbourhood, building supportive networks and finding creative ways of expressing their perspectives and ideas. People interested are also invited to contribute as co-group coordinators.

Partners

Project coordination

  • queraum, cultural and social research (Austria)

Project partners

  • AGE Platform Europe (Belgium)
  • AFEdemy, Academy on Age-Friendly Environments in Europe BV (The Netherlands)
  • Letokruh, z.ú. (Czech Republic)
  • Slovenian Third Age University (Slovenia)

Outputs

The Fact Sheet provides background information about the Dreamlike Neighbour­hood project and inspiring initiatives in the field of supporting neighbourhoods:

The Dreamlike Neighbour­hood project Leaflet gives an overview on our objectives, activities, outcomes and partner involved:

Based on a Concept & Curriculum we have established neighbourhood groups in partner countries. Besides methods promoting interactions, individual reflections and mutual support also creative formats have encouraged participants in dealing with the issue of supportive neighbourhood and expressing their perspectives and views.

With the Handbook and the Online Resource Kit we make visible experiences gained in our project and provide inspirational examples and practical tools to build and run Dreamlike Neighbourhood groups.

References

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AFEdemy, Academy on Age-Friendly Environments in Europe B. V.

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