Are you or do you know anyone over 50?

[Michal12]

I am starting a new venture in Camberley in Surrey for the over fifties.
It is entered in the Virgin Pitch to Rich competion. I need feedback on whether it is a good idea or not? Also I need VOTES lots of them to get through to the finals in June. A members club and forum for the
over fifties. The details are below:-

50 plus social network VOTE for us
in the Virgin Media Business
Competion
www.virginmediabusiness.co.
uk/pitch-to-rich/new-things/50-
plus-social-network/

The idea is a club with a meeting venue once a week open all day to members and an internet forum for guests and members who are over fifty.
Please let me know your thoughts and if you like the idea please vote at the link in my message.

Sorry but you will need to copy and paste the link because of the lenght of the URL

www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/pitch-to-rich/new-things/50-plus-social-Network/

Yes, I am over 50 and if I'm going to be honest, the idea doesn't appeal to me at all. I don't exactly subscribe to the "50 is the new 30" mentality but I don't really see why 50 or 55 year olds suddenly need access to an age-specific group? It's not clear what specifically you are offering? Is this a social group or for business networking? And what do you mean people will be "vetted"? For what exactly - do they have to fit a certain demographic, financial status, what? I can see that a group like this (open to all though, not some undefined closed group) could be beneficial to much older people who may not wish to travel far from home or whose friends have started to fall away through death or illness but right now my life is overfull with work, family, existing friends, church, sports, community work etc. It's not for me.

I am not over 50, but do work in marketing and think this sort of venture will not work.

From your description I can't see who it is for. People will be vetted, does this mean no one with a criminal record or some other criteria? Again, like-minded people how exactly are you defining this? A resources hub - what does that mean? What type of resources? where to have a coffee, pubs that don't mind oldies, dating clubs?

I suppose the most disturbing thing about this, is that you are asking for 50% of the income to be publicly funded. I don't want my local taxes to go on something this vague. In these days of austerity your business case is just not good enough.

For general over 55s support Age concern do this very well. Saga have created products specifically aimed at the retired (travel insurance, health insurance, cruises) which appeal and are eligible. I think you need to think of some sort of interest - Film club, day trippers, theatre, coffee & chat, ladies that lunch, fitness/sport aimed at the over 50s. All of these activities would get people out of the house if they are lonely and you could position the activity more appropriately eg I imagine most over 50s are not interested in playing tennis with 20 year olds, would not view a good lunch date as McDonald's!

Hello I am Michal12 I am posting my response to the main thread which is on grans-net so don't take it personally.
Have had to change my username for some reason to reply to all of you. I have not been able to retrieve my password for Michal12 and no I am not eastern European and my club is about diversity so do not start that s*t with me.
It is a very competitive market see grans-net and the reality is that 33% of the working population will be over 50 by 2020! Only today there was an article in the newspapers about happiness and yes you can have that if you are Female , Danish and over 65.
If we do not take a stand we will not have jobs, houses or relationships. When every other sector of the population is being funded by government. This about us the over 50's as a group helping ourselves to make our lives better.
Lilymaid sums it up nearly all resources , clubs, events aimed at the over 50's seem to be attended by the over 70's. My mum is 75 and even she would not be seen dead.
This is why this idea is for us and the reality of being between say 50 ish and 70 ish.
Some of you are saying that your lives are fulfilled with clubs, family etc. but that is not the case for everyone. I had hoped that some of you might see this as an opportunity to connect with other people of a similar age group in a place that has internet access, a licensed bar, food and on occasion free talks and events like a private members club, yes it should be quite posh and yes hopefully some of those who have money will help to pass it down to the rest of us.
I am working on the rest of the business and financial plan but monthly membership would be no more than say £10-£15 a month.
My question back is why are you even using an internet forum? and would you not prefer one where you could trust who you are talking with and actually meet them at a local venue. This club is not about business networking and is a Social CLUB for people of all walks of life who do not want to nightclub, noisy pubs , eat all you can food and would like a break from their families.
Go to church if you prefer but I think this is the future. P.S. thanks at least some response is better even if not what I hoped. And vetting yes well not CRB or formal checks but enough so we can trust each other.

Michele & John hoping to make lots of new friends in this venture