UnLtd launch new social care programme to support elderly

Care company, UnLtd, has announced a pilot programme targeting social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to some of the UK’s tough social care challenges.

Under the new ‘UnLtd Care’ initiative, UnLtd is offering cash awards of up to £20,000 to 10 individuals from across the country who have great ideas for products or services that will prevent loneliness and social isolation among older people.

Awards will be made to applicants with ideas for products or services that will make a real difference to the lives of older people and will generate revenue to cover their costs.

Thomas McAlister, programme lead for UnLtd Care, says that with health budgets and local authorities facing the squeeze, radical new approaches are needed to address the challenges involved in preventing social isolation among older people.

“People in later life are particularly vulnerable to loneliness which reduces their quality of life and wellbeing, and directly harms their health”, he said. “Finding ways to keep people connected has a huge personal benefit. People in strong social relationships are more likely to remain healthy and independent, and live longer.

“Preventing isolation also has benefits for the immediate community. Well-connected people in later life are more likely to volunteer or provide support to others. It also benefits the rest of society. Lonely and socially isolated people are more likely to have early admission to residential or nursing care, and to suffer from mental and physical illness. So keeping older people connected can reduce demand for costly health and care interventions.

“We are looking for enterprising ideas that aim to make a big difference to the social care sector; ideas with strong potential to generate income and become sustainable, as well as delivering high social benefits. We will prioritise ideas that focus on older people and preventative services.”

UnLtd Care is offering a range of Awards for social entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, whether they are starting out or scaling up their venture:

• Do It Awards (up to £5,000) – for individuals with an idea for a new venture and who need cash and support to get started.
• Build It Awards (up to £15,000) – for individuals who want to build their venture. They lead a dynamic and successful venture that has been running for at least one year. They need cash for living expenses to free up their time to grow their venture to a local or regional level.
• Fast Growth Awards (up to £20,000) – for individuals who want to rapidly grow their venture. They lead an early stage social venture and need cash for living expenses and one-to-one business support.

As well as cash UnLtd Care Award Winners will get access to expert advisors who are familiar with the social care sector, support from an UnLtd Award Manager who can help you to develop or grow your venture, access to business support and powerful connections, and peer-to-peer networking and support from experienced entrepreneurs.

Social entrepreneurs interested in applying for an UnLtd Care Award must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

The EOI form and more information about the Awards are available at: www.unltd.org.uk/social-care