Posts originally on Socialreporter.com and Mediablends.com. Most recent at the top.

The agenoretirement Festival builds on #joinedupdigital connector plans: create local community coops where #agedoesnotmatter A workshop at The Age of No Retirement Festival took forward ideas for community connectors and a local coop. Published on mediablends.com September 30 2016

How about new #joinedupdigital as a knowledge network, open source framework, and coop for working together Ideas for developing a coop to take forward ideas developed in Joined Up Digital. Published on mediablends.com September 27 2016

Re-inventing a Positive Ageing forum in the Digital Age with MervChangeAGEnt and ageuklondon Storify of tweets after the previous post Published on mediablends.com September 21 2016

No funds - but a very Positive Ageing event thanks to pailondon and ageuklondon There was interest at a meeting of the Positive Ageing in London forum in new ways of operating in the face of funding cuts. Originally at mediablends.com September 20 2016

Looks as if Ageing_Better #joinedupdigital may be dead after failed BigLotteryFund bid The JoinedUpDigitalProject, initially supported by the Centre for Ageing Better, has now heard from the Big Lottery Fund that its next stage bid has been unsuccessful. September 14 2016 on mediablends.com

Promising bid from #joinedupdigital to Big Lottery Fund and Centre for Ageing Better for conduits to info and support The JoinedUpDigital project, supported by the Centre for Ageing Better, is now planning three strands of work to help older people connect with each other, their communities, and public services. August 31 2016 on mediablends.com

Update on the Centre for Ageing Better and Joined Up Digital I've spent the last few few months working for the Centre for Ageing Better on the digital technology initiative that I mentioned last year. Here's a brief report, with more to follow in later posts. July 2016 in mediablends.com

Good life for older people - and success for Centre for Ageing_Better - depends on social connections and networks The £50 million Centre for Ageing Better launches officially today with two substantial foundations: a fascinating study by IpsosMORI of six 50+ social clusters including typical life stories, together with details of the Centre's initial topic areas for research and development. 2/12/2015 on mediablends.com

Techy lunch in the City shows community spirit of corporate lawyers Global law firm K&L Gates and the Age Concern City organised a lunch for older residents to learn about computers, tablets and smartphones. 2/10/2015 on socialreporter.com

Update on the exploration at Socialreporter.com. 28/ 9/2015

Centre for Ageing Better starts digital technology initiative with job opportunity - if you are quick. The Centre for Ageing Better - initially slow to recognise the importance of digital technology - has now caught up with the welcome announcement on Twitter of a Digital Initiative and recruitment of a digital manager. 24/9/2015 on mediablends.com

Promise from Big Lottery Fund of a wider conversation about digital inclusion and Accelerating Ideas BIG promises to open up discussion on its community platform about digital champions, and welcomes contributions about Accelerating Ideas. 10/9/2015 on mediablends.com

Digital Champions Consortium supported by Big Lottery Fund promises wider collaboration on digital inclusion The announcement this week of a £2 million investment by Big Lottery Fund to create hundreds of digital champions is an achievement for the organisations involved, and for BIG staff. 10/9/2015 on mediablends.com

New CEO of Centre for Ageing Better promises collaboration and innovation The Centre new chief executive, Anna Dixon, commits to working with existing experts, service providers and innovators to incubate new ideas and encourage the spread of those that work to improve later life. 9/9/2015 on mediablends.com

Digital inclusion can help address loneliness and #AgeingBetter - if co-designed with older people The Big Lottery Fund report on Ageing in the UK suggests that any use of digital technology to help combat loneliness should be developed in the context of older people's preferences for traditional media, phones, and email. That throws up a challenge for BIG policy teams that might best be addressed through simulations and co-design, as well as a review of “what works”. 7/08/2015 on mediablends

The Big Lottery Fund highlights role of digital technology in AgeingBetter The Big Lottery Fund has started a welcome discussion about how it can integrate technology into projects that it funds in order to help combat loneliness and promote wellbeing.6/08/2015 on mefdiablends.com

The challenge of joining up to support #ageingdigital Lots of energy in our Digital Networking event this week, but where next? A networking of freelances, or a networked campaign for #ageingdigital? The challenge lies in joining up, rather than starting up something new. 30/07/2015 on mediablends.com

Networking about living well in the digital age - free event July 28 There's a few places available for a free event a group of us are running in London on the afternoon of Tuesday July 28. 22/07/2015 on mediblends.com

Congratulations and engagement ideas for new Centre for Ageing Better CEO Dr Anna Dixon - it's time for a different style The new CEO for the Centre for Ageing Better is already seeking ideas on Twitter, and is a champion for helping service users voice their interests and concerns. That should help the Centre develop its engagement strategy. 18/06/2015 on mediablends.com

More talent at the Knowledge Hub - but how to join up with Twitter? Knowledge Hub is becoming the safe and trusted online space for local government discussion. The challenge remains how to join up spaces with networks like Twitter. 11/06/2015 on mediablends.com

Developing a Digital Age Learning Network with Age Action Alliance AAA is supporting development of a cross-topic learning network on Living Well in the Digital Age following our exploration. 8/06/2015 on mediablends.com

Maps, apps and storytelling to reduce social isolation Local Living Labs that combine network maps, digital technology and storytelling could provide a framework for projects to reduce social isolation. 4/6/2015 on mediablends.com

Key points in Centre for Ageing Better strategy consultation - deadline May 20 #PDdigital15 The main consultation on the Centre for Ageing Better strategy end on May 20. So far plans don't include anything on technology. 17/05/2015

Ideas on how the Centre for Ageing Better can start to engage with digital technology Here's a menu of ideas on how the Centre for Ageing Better could introduce digital technology into its plans and consultation process. 13/05/2015 on mediablends.com

In the Digital Age anyone can be an innovator in social care and health PDDAwards15 An award scheme for digital innovation in social care and health confirms it is DIY time. 12/05/2015 on mediablends.com
Why councils should look to their address books and local networks to help build resilient communities Local government officer Alexander Kenmure suggests councils how could do more to join up existing networks to help enable local action. This adds another dimension to our thinking about local Living Labs. 12/05/2015 on mediablends.com

Where's best to evolve ideas on tech for Living Well - a hub or a network? There's currently no focus for discussion, and little cross-discipline networking, around issues of digital technology and living well. Could the public service Knowledge Hub provide an online platform - or would it be better to adopt a more networky light-weight solution like Slack.com? 12/05/2015 on mediablends.com

Update from the Centre for Ageing Better The Centre for Ageing Better has posted an update on progress from interim CEO Greg Wilkinson following Twitter discussion of its consultation paper. 08/5/2015 on mediablends.com

Silicon Valley see older people and home care as a big new market Silicon Valley investors and entreprenaurs are backing a new home healthcare system. Will we see growth in this market in the UK? 08/5/2015 on mediablends.com

How do we shift from yet more research and reports to innovation in AgeingBetter? Ideas please If we believe yet more old-style research and reports isn't the way to promote greater innovation for living well in the digital age, how can we help organisations like the Centre for Ageing Better make the change? Ideas please 23/04/2015 on mediablends.com

Twitter helps BetterAgeing Centre engage with potential for digital innovation in AgeingBetter The Centre for Ageing Better has reponded positively to a Twitter discussion about the lack of reference to digital technology in its strategy. Sending a blog post in draft helped. 22/04/2015 on mediablends.com

Why AgeingBetter funders and policy makers should embrace digital technology - some resources Digital technology is increasingly important for Living Well in the Digital Age. Here's suggestions on why funders and policy makers should review existing resources. 21/04/2015 on mediablends.com

Practical ideas for making sense of technology in Care, Living Well and AgeingBetter Local councils and partnerships will this year be faced with the growing challenge of deciding what technology solutions to develop and promote for care, health and wellbeing in their community. We've put together some ideas on how to approach those issues, from our exploration into Living Well in the Digital Age. The paper is here. 16/04/2015 on mediablends.com

Do we need Operating Systems for Living Well in the Digital Age - or a more human worldview? The new Open Policy Making toolkit from Cabinet Office helps me join up the idea of a new operating model for government with an operating system for local labs for Living Well in the Digital Age. Together they could support the emerging Grey Cells model for digital service development and citizen online engagement. However, doubts emerge about the analogy. 04/04/2015 on Mediablends

Living Well workshop report Report on workshop held with the Digital Inclusion Group and Department for Communities and Local Government March 27 2015 on Mediablends

Next steps in our Living Well exploration Briefing for workshop held with the Digital Inclusion Group and Department for Communities and Local Government March 27 2015 on Mediablends

Open Policy Making promises engagement as well as digital innovation A couple of posts on the Open Policy Making blog provide insights into how digital technologies, network thinking, and new ways for government to operate may change the way we receive services, engage as citizens – and maybe develop our own community-level innovations. 17/03/2015 on Socialreporter

How online health care and digital inclusion programmes support each other - from \@TinderFdn \@gdsteam \@cherrysouth The value of health care online in digital inclusion programmes. March 2015 on Mediablends

Living Well with digital: it's already covered by \@Livingitup_Scot The Scottish Government has funded the Living it Up portal that has online health advice, search for local opportunities, help with technology - and a quiz to help you shape your exploration. March 2015 on Mediablends

Blog posts on Socialreporter.com and Mediablends.com

Switching focus from Ageing Better to Living Well with tech: it’s all personal Reporting on Ageing Better exploration into how innovations, enabled by digital technology, can help support personal well-being - and changing to a more person-centred focus. 18/02/2015 on Socialreporter

Big Lottery Fund soft launches online community – and advertises an interesting job The Big Lottery Fund has opened up its online community platform for testing, and advertising a community manager post. 16/02/2015 on Socialreporter

At last we have a shared framework for deep thinking about digital engagement The Department of Communities and Local Government has produced a blueprint for digital service transformation and citizen engagement. 21/01/2015 on Socialreporter

SEEFA symposium identifies challenges to innovation in Ageing Better – it’s culture as much as tech A symposium on innovation, technology and later life provides confirmation that many of the challenges to making use of tech for ageing better are organisational and cultural as well as technical. We have plenty of tech – the issues are how to personalise and support use appropriate to people’s needs and situation. But ageing organisations can’t do that if they aren’t using social tech themselves. 11/01/2015 on Socialreporter

Some #AgeingBetter innovation resources - who do you follow, and which hashtags? A round up of resources about Ageing Better shows there's a lot happening but it is difficult to find and follow. January 2015 on Mediablends

Ten provocations about innovation in Ageing Better Provocations developed for the exploration into Ageing Better. 18/12/2014 on Socialreporter

Integrate digital inclusion and digital healthcare: an #AgeingBetter solution from \@tonywattswriter The ten provocations about innovation in Ageing Better threw up the challenges of using digital technology for well-being - now Tony Watts has a compelling solution: integrate personalised digital healthcare with action to help older people use technology and the internet. December 2014 on Mediablends

Update on Ageing Better Innovation – look to apps and connectors An update on the exploration into how digital innovation may help support personal well-being, and services for ageing better, and news of apps development in Scotland. 11/12/2014 on Socialreporter

Deep conversation needed on BIG’s Ageing Better community platform. How about asking people in for a coffee? Face to face conversations are needed about the online community. 22/10/2014 on Socialreporter

BIG plans to host an #AgeingBetter online community. Open, closed, connected …? Fist news that the Big Lottery Fund will be providing some support for online sharing of stories and experience. 21/10/2014 on Socialreporter

How about a digital innovation network for #AgeingBetter The Big Lottery Fund Ageing Better programme would benefit from a network about the potential for digital innovation. October 2014 Mediablends

Building a knowledge sharing network about Ageing Better from the ground up How we might develop a networked approach to knowledge sharing. 14/10/2014 on Socialreporter

Why BIG’s #ageingbetter programme needs added digital innovation Arguing for some digital innovation and knolwedge sharing in he £82 million Ageing Better programme. 07/10/2014 on Socialreporter

Using digital technology and asset mapping to tackle social isolation – without special funding Report of a simulation about a partneship that bid for funds, failed, and decided to proceed anyway using digital innovation. 27/09/2014 on Socialreporter

How BIG could digitally amplify the impact of its £82 million investment tackling social isolation The Big Lottery Fund's programme would benefit from an innovative approach to promote storytelling and learning. 21/09/2014 on Socialreporter

Playing through council plans for digital participation in the face of cuts How we used a cast of fictitious characters and organisations to help a London borough plan its digital participation strategy in the face of austerity cuts. 15/09/2014 on Socialreporter

A tasty intro to digital – Tea, Toast and T’Internet Report of an tea party with digital tablets to introduce older people to the potential of the Internet. 17/04/2014 on Socialreporter

My idea for digital inclusion – the minimal technology assessment kit Instead of promoting an over-rich mix of technology to people who are resistant or not interested, offer a way to understand how the world is changing and then assess how little tech they might need for their needs and interests. 26/02/2014 on Socialreporter

Preview of the Living Lab for (digital) life Proposals for our Living Lab to the Nominet Trust. 3/02/2014 on Socialreporter

How our workshop game confirmed all digital adoption is personal Report of a workshop with Age UK London using fictitious characters to explore what online activities might suit each of them. 29/1/2014 on Socialreporter

Turning a digital adoption report into a game of phones, tablets, TVs – and maybe computers Preview of our workshop with Age UK London. 24/1/2014 on Socialreporter

Here's a summary of papers that have been posted on this site, and blog posts originally on Socialreporter.com and Mediablends.com.

• Details of the Living Well exploration
• Current blog about Living Well in the Digital Age

Symposium identifies challenges to innovation in Ageing Better - it's culture as much as tech. A symposium on innovation, technology and later life provides confirmation that many of the challenges to making use of tech for ageing better are organisational and cultural as well as technical. We have plenty of tech - the issues are how to personalise and support use appropriate to people's needs and situation. But ageing organisations can't do that if they aren't using social tech themselves

Developing local Living Labs using maps, apps and storytelling We aim to develop a kit, and testbed local Labs, to blend digital technology with traditional methods for community development and Living Well - making the most of what we have; telling stories and encouraging creative conversations; building relationships through networks. In doing that we need to connect people with different areas of expertise locally and nationally.

Networks and network mapping. The Internet provides the potential for extending and enhancing our personal and professional networks - offering scope for reducing social isolation, building community relationships, and supporting cooperation between and within organisations. However, to realise the potential of networks we need to understand more about their nature, how to analyse, map and build them.

Practical ideas for making sense of technology for Care, Ageing Better and Living Well. Local councils and partnerships will increasingly be faced with the challenge of deciding what technology solutions to develop and promote for care, health and wellbeing in their community. Here's some ideas on how to approach those issues.

Why Ageing Better funders and policy makers should embrace digital technology - some resources Digital technology is increasingly important for Living Well in the Digital Age. Here's suggestions on why funders and policy makers should review existing resources.

Ageing Better resources Examples of what we know about digital technology and ageing better, and who is sharing resources, prepared December 2014