Features / Bristol Older People's Forum

Film shares stories of older people in Bristol

By Ellie Pipe  Tuesday Feb 16, 2021

The stereotyping of older people, challenges of lockdown and importance of community are some of the issues highlighted in a new short film.

Visiting the homes of five people in Bristol, journalist Neil Maggs set out to understand different experiences of housing in the city and also uncovered memories of neighbourhoods dating back four decades and the shared passions that bridge generations.

“I don’t know what I’d do without the neighbours I’ve got, they’re just wonderful,” says Hazel. “They’re from they’re from Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ghana, all over the world and all different walks of life and it’s wonderful.”

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Mahamed highlights the isolation felt by many elders in his community with shared spaces currently closed.

While Tony speaks of his love of live music and argues that older people are not listened to or respected enough.

“But of course, we’ve been through it,” he says, adding: “Go and see your Granny, talk to her.”

Living at Home, Five Stories from Older People was produced by Bristol Older People’s Forum (BOPF), in collaboration with Care & Repair England and Bristol Ageing Better; and was created by Neil Maggs of Maggs Smart Media.

A free launch event will be held via Zoom, which will include a panel discussion on the subject of age-friendly housing in the city.

Ian Bickerton, BOPF chair of trustees says, “The film and our research survey from last year show why it’s important for older people to be at the heart of housing policy and development.”

Register for the launch event via www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/film-screening-living-at-home-five-stories-from-older-people-tickets-138561078917

Main photo a still from the film by Neil Maggs

Read more: ‘Older people are an asset to the UK economy’

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