The Institute of Ageing and Health was originally founded in 1971 as the West
Midlands Institute of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, to provide a focus
for good multidisciplinary practice and further education in the medical
problems of older people, and the establishment of an academic Chair. With
funding from Sir Charles Hayward, Professor Bernard Isaacs came into post in
1975.
The first Director, Dr Ronald Cape set up the basic structure on which much of
the developments are based. This included four educational meetings a year and
the publication of a journal. For most of its history the Institute has only
employed the equivalent of one full time secretary, with all other work being
done by the Trustees and members.
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| Education |
| There has been an established pattern of regular conferences and seminars on a
wide variety of topics, attracting eminent speakers from across the British
Isles. In recent years the focus of our educational work has broadened to
include and attract many other organisations with an interest in the social
care and health of older people.
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| Publications |
| The Institute's initial publications were in the form of research papers and
this progressed to a more formal journal in which staff in the region were
encouraged to provide articles for publication. We now produce a regular
journal, and have recently begun to produce a quarterly newsletter on the
activities of the organisation.
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| Excellent Care Award |
| Since 1981 we have established the Excellent Care Award to identify good
practice in the West Midlands. This continues to attract a large number of high
quality entries and is an example of the Institutes wish to link its
educational roots to the development of good practice in health and social
care.
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| Other Activities |
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In addition the Institute has continued its commitment to education and training
by making available travel fellowships for study and research.
In recent years the Institute has recognised the need to link its educational
work with practice in service delivery, and specifically work that has as its
objective the prevention of ill health in older people.
| The Centre @ Onneley House |
This is the Institute's first venture into direct service provision and was developed by a Steering Group that included a wide range of local stakeholders. The Centre, which is based in the ground floor of Harborne Parish Lands offices in Harborne, provides a range of activities for local older people that focus on healthy living. This includes a Healthy Eating Café, exercise classes by the National Osteoporosis Society, tea dances and computer classes.
Although we are grateful for support from a wide range of organisations, our focus now is on securing longer term funding to ensure that the early success of the Centre can be developed into a permanent much needed service for older people in Harborne and the surrounding areas.
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| Funding |
| The Institute is a registered charity, and is supported through the
South Birmingham Primary Care Trust by a postgraduate educational grant. The
remainder of our income comes from a variety of sources including our
educational programme, specific grants, and membership fees.
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| The Future |
| The Institute has a long and distinguished history, attracting support from a
wide range of eminent professionals who are leaders in their field. We are
grateful for the financial support we do receive but if we wish to expand our
activities and build upon what we have already achieved it is essential we
increase that income to a level and certainty that allows us to achieve our
medium and longer-term objectives. The first stage of our development plan was
the appointment in April 2002 of an Executive Manager on a one-year contract.
His brief is to deliver that Development Strategy.
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