Project: Cornwall Works 50+

This project will pilot a series of new ideas to address the difficulties faced by older workers in entering the workforce, focusing on both improving engagement with current provision and anything else that is needed to help them re-enter work. Demographic change means that people need to remain economically active for longer; this project will help ensure that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly retains the skills and expertise of older workers.

The project is using the Design Council initiative Designs of The Time (DoTT) to help explore innovative ways to co-design solutions for this group in the workforce.





Project feature

The project aims to improve the employment opportunities for older workers, who face barriers such as confidence, skills needs, care responsibilities, and health conditions. This involves maximising opportunities for the individuals concerned, and it ensures future economic resilience by optimising the breadth and depth of the workforce. This will include support needed by employers.

In the first year of the project, DoTT Cornwall will deliver an innovative form of research using design-led intervention as a way to work with communities, unlocking innovation and creativity by engaging in a ‘bottom-up’ participatory approach. Years 2 and 3 will see the pilot of interventions to improve 50+ plus engagement and employment.

The transnational partners from France and Finland each represent European regions that have faced demographic change, particularly around older workers in rural areas, and are keen to develop and share good practice.

The project will also explore finding ways to bring generations together, with the aim of developing greater understanding and rapport, as well as sharing older people’s expertise and experience with younger people who are just entering the job market or are looking to develop entrepreneurial activities.

The project is complemented by the Cornwall Works 50+ Cares ESF Convergence project which will look to strengthen the care sector workforce (as a response to the needs of demographic change) by helping retain the skills and expertise of older workers in the care sector, including through the development of career routes and ongoing training. For more information, see the Cornwall Works 50+ Cares page on the Convergence Cornwall website.




Contact details

Andrea Gilbert, Social Inclusion Coordinator
Cornwall Council
Lemon Quay House Lemon Quay, Truro Cornwall, TR1 2PU
(01872) 355060




Key project message

‘We live in changing times – now more than ever, we need to be flexible and adaptable. It is vital that we don’t let the talent pool of all our people go to waste. This ESF Convergence investment is helping ensure that the skills and expertise of older workers are retained.’


Carleen Kelemen, director of the Convergence Partnership Office




Project impact

Lessons learnt and good practice identified will inform both the DWP/JCP ESF co-financing plan for the second half of Convergence and mainstream provision (through Cornwall Works), to help ensure that delivery is best placed to tackle worklessness amongst older workers.




Key data

  • Region: Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
  • Sub-regions: Cornwall
  • Objective: Competitiveness and employment
  • Priority area: 4: Tackling barriers to employment
  • Themes:
  • Co-financer: ITM
  • Lead partner: Cornwall Council
  • Partner organisations: Cornwall Council, Jobcentre Plus, Inclusion Cornwall, National Institute for Health and Welfare, TARMO DESIGN+, Conseil General du Finistere, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, South West Age Management Standing Group, Design Council
  • Key sectors:
    • Care
  • Activities:
    • More innovative and productive ways of working
  • Key target groups:
    • Older people (aged over 50)
  • Funding: Cornwall Council £215,196, ESF Convergence £645,583
  • Start date: 01/04/2009
  • End date: 31/03/2012
  • Project web site: http://www.convergencecornwall.com/convergence-investments/cornwall-works-50.php