Activ8 is a registered charity that reconnects isolated groups and lonely and isolated individuals to the wider community by advancing holistic support.
Activ8’s team has, at some point in their lives, experienced loneliness and isolation; we are a multicultural and multigenerational team; we are truly ALL INCLUSIVE.
Amongst us, we gather varied life experiences and expertise, with a wealth of soft and hard skills.
Activ8 is a York local charity, based in Clifton Moor, working through two arms, which can come together in a hug or simple handshake.:
Social Reconnection: We run Clubs. The "cuppa 'n' cake" concept is a traditional approach to get people out of their homes, but it doesn’t appeal to everyone. We go a step further by offering ALSO Crafts, Technology and Exercises. Our Clubs run “soft” and “hard” craft sessions, TechEd drop-ins and gentle Exercises - ALL suitable to ALL, regardless of gender, abilities, ages and religion. The Clubs’ aims are to give everyone a goal to leave their home and enjoy either learning or teaching something, ask questions about their hand-held technology machines, move a bit to keep or improve fitness, have a cuppa ‘n’ cake, have a chat or simply by being somewhere different but safe. By coming to our Clubs, one will make social connections or reconnections, increase their confidence and decrease their feeling of loneliness and isolation.
We encourage volunteers' participation and other community and volunteer organisations or even local businesses to join us as leaders, helpers or suppliers.
Education: We have a unique flexible approach towards learning. We offer accessible training and assessment (including work based) aimed at those who find it hard to access training through colleges either by geographic isolation, health or other difficulties. We travel to our learners to overcome physical isolation and lack of transportation. We meet our learners where it’s more comfortable and safe to them (in our office when a suitable venue is not found), to sidestep health and other difficulties. All learners have an initial assessment to confirm the level of qualification they will be working towards and to identify the style of learning. All learners will have one-to-one contact with their assessor as often as needed, minimum once a month. All learners will have career Advice and Guidance and help looking for employment. Our support continues post-employment until the learner stops it.
At the moment, Activ8 delivers weekly craft sessions in York and surrounding rural villages, aimed at anyone who feels lonely and/or isolated. The sessions’ themes are decided and agreed by and with the attendees. Through very informal chatting with the attendees, we have realised that the majority would not leave the house or see anyone if they would not come to our Clubs. Activ8 Clubs workshops allow for greater social interaction and to boost confidence to build and extend social networks. Exciting and interesting crafts and skills workshops encourage adults to play and interact, giving them something exciting to look forward to each week. Play is not just essential for children, it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” It fuels our imagination, creativity, problem solving abilities and emotional wellbeing. Play can add joy to life, relieve stress, supercharge learning and connect us to others and the world around us, helping to develop prosperous relationships within communities. Our society tends to dismiss play for adults, the notion is that once we reach adulthood it is time to get serious, but we don’t lose the need for novelty and pleasure that play provides. According to the National Institute for Play “Play is the gateway to vitality”. It generates optimism, seeks out novelty, fosters empathy and promotes a sense of belonging, wellbeing and community, gives the immune system a bounce, makes perseverance fun and leads to mastery.
Activ8 aims at reducing significantly the loneliness and isolation felt by the people of York and satellite villages/towns.
Activ8 aims to use local community venues, in particular, those underused, to trigger and encourage locals to use them by their own initiative.
Activ8 aims at improving the ability of venues and organisations involved to detect lonely and isolated people and to be more able to make a meaningful contact and establish meaningful relationships to actually make a difference.
We envision to achieve our aims by offering Clubs - involving as much as possible an intergenerational approach - where people will meet up with a common interest and hopefully connect with someone, making new acquaintances and friendships.
Activ8 Clubs’ (scheduled activity sessions such as good old chin wag, craft, ICT, soft skills) help the people more affected by loneliness and isolation to get together and give them the confidence boost they need to restart feeling valued and reintegrate in society. Activ8 Clubs provide a safe and routine environment that gives certainty, allowing time to build up relationships.
Activ8 is looking at linking with established community groups and churches to start and/or keep momentum on word of mouth.
Activ8 would like to establish partnerships with organisations already on the ground to help us find the loneliest and most isolated people in York (e.g. Churches, GP surgeries).
Activ8 is looking for suitable, safe, friendly, welcoming venues where we can deliver our Clubs (safe open spaces, community centres, village halls, churches, Independent Living Schemes, etc) with a potential to embrace any other activity lead by the people helped.
As mentioned above, although the prevalence of loneliness and isolation is later in life, we feel that is important to have an intergenerational approach between us all, affected and non-affected, despite any stereotype.
