Case Study – Big Braw Brew

“IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE TURNING UP TO THE BIG BRAW BREW,CHATTING AND LAUGHING – JUST WHAT WE NEED.”

The Big Braw Brew, held from 19th to 25th October 2024, was a week-long series of events designed to tackle isolation and loneliness among older adults across Helensburgh and Lomond. The aim was to get older adults isolated at home back out, mixing with others and feeling part of their community. Every event was based around things that were already happening, in the hope that when someone came once, they would keep coming back.

A Celebration of Community

It can be hard to reach individuals who are already socially isolated and have perhaps, for one reason or another, lost a lot of their contacts and connections. Often, these individuals are not on social media or searching the internet and rely on more traditional forms of communication that is all too often forgotten about in this digital age.

“THE INFORMATION WAS REALLY HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE. I ENJOYED MEETING NEW PEOPLE. OF COURSE THE COFFEE AND CAKE WAS WONDERFUL.”

To ensure as wide an impact as possible, local organisations proactively spread the word via
their members, after all word of mouth and personal recommendation can be the most effective method of communication. Therefore, the impact of the event was very much at a grass-roots community level. And, if this was not enough to entice folk to come along, there was plenty of tea and cake on offer.

The event was the result of several months of collaboration between groups, charities and local organisations, and supported by the TSI. Alison Gildea, of Grey Matters said: “It was important that we worked together on these events – it just wouldn’t have worked otherwise. So the first thing we did was to invite a range of groups to meet and chat about what the week long programme could look like. From this we formed an Older Persons Network – this working group was brilliant, so supportive right from the start.”“In planning this event, we wanted to ensure that everyone felt welcome,” said Charlie Murphy of Age Scotland. “The range of events meant there was something for everyone, whether they were seeking practical advice or just a chance to meet others. Age Scotland, surveys indicate that over 120,000 older people in Scotland are lonely all or most of the time.”The Big Braw Brew Week demonstrated the power of working together. So we need to think about getting the kettle on for next year!”