A new toolkit aims to help over-50s become social entrepreneurs.

The guide to social start-ups is aimed at older people who want to use their skills in creative ways, especially if they are nearing retirement.

The launch of the new Rooted toolkit featured former Herald Society Award winner Mamie Donald, whose initiative Third Age Computer Fun won our best older people's project award in 2011.

Published by innovation funders Nesta and the social entrepreneur support group UnLtd, the guide argues that older people can play a key role in shaping public services.

A spokeswoman for Nesta said: "People leaving the workforce often feel they are put on the scrapheap. They don't always want to follow the familiar pathway of volunteering or vocational learning. They want to continue to earn, learn and use their skills and expertise in new creative and enterprising ways."