Innovation: Old Guard Community Centre

Germany

AAI Domains:

• Participation in society (voluntary activities, social connectedness)

• Independent, healthy and secure living (physical exercise, lifelong learning)

As communities age they can often shrink both in terms of size and the social connections that bind neighbourhoods together and contribute to people leading a good quality of life. In such a situation groups such as older people or mothers who stay at home with young children are at greater risk of social isolation that can have negative effects on their health and well-being. The challenges this presents provide fertile ground for social innovations that are inclusive of people of all ages who, by joining together, can improve the quality of life for all participants.

The district of Oberstedten (population c.6,000) in the town of Oberursel (population c.45,000) in the state of Hesse faced the prospect of a shrinking and ageing population. Older people were becoming increasingly socially isolated and there was a lack of facilities for people to interact in ways that contributed to their quality of life. The local Protestant Church supported the establishment of a voluntary organisation, the Alte Wache (Old Guard) Oberstedten, when the opportunity to renovate a former fire brigade station in the heart of the neighbourhood presented itself in 2010. The Alte Wache was founded in October 2010 with the objective of renovating the fire brigade station into a community centre for people of all ages to join together and enjoy life.

The four main pillars of the Alte Wache are a community-run café with a children’s playroom attached to it to provide a social hub for families with young children. A shop selling local products providing a friendly retail outlet for people in the neighbourhood and beyond. The third pillar is a range of cultural events ranging from activities for children, a book club, short courses and presentations on a range of topics, physical exercise and yoga classes, movies for people of different ages and a range of other clubs and groups who can hire rooms for meetings and events.

The final pillar was realised in 2013 when Alte Wache formed a partnership with National Association APS Association Educational Supervision Hessen/Rheinland-Pfalz to provide APS Consulting, a counselling and coaching service was launched providing, for modest fees, guidance and support to people facing difficulties in their lives. The Alte Wache has over 100 volunteers actively engaged with the project with annual membership fees ranging from €60 to €120 in return for discounts on events. The achievements of the Alte Wache were recognised in 2014 when they were nominated for a national award from the Office of the Chancellor for social projects.

In relation to active ageing, Alte Wache Oberstedten is a fine example of voluntary activities by people of all ages establishing a community centre that genuinely reflects the local neighbourhood. It provides opportunities for physical exercise and lifelong learning through classes held at the centre and it promotes social connectedness, particularly for older people and the mothers of young children who are at risk of social isolation.

Alte Wache Oberstedten website