South Ribble has joined the UK Network of age-friendly communities, demonstrating how the borough is committed to be welcoming, safe, friendly and accessible for the aging population.
With support from National Centre for Ageing Better who has developed guidance based around the World Health Organisation’s principles for age friendly communities, South Ribble’s placement on the network will kick start a body of work to ensure older people are not left behind when it comes to local provision and policy.
Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder, Deputy Leader of South Ribble Borough Council said, “We are proud to be the first district in Lancashire to join the UK Network which is a growing movement of communities committed to making the UK a better place to age.
“We have an aging population in South Ribble, and we need to make sure our decision making and our polices are reflective of all the people who make up our vibrant communities. We’ll now be working up an action plan which will lay out our plans.”
Principles of the network includes supporting the aging population with things such as housing, access to health and well-being services, to be socially included and to have access to public spaces and transport.
Councillor Bylinski Gelder continued, “Just this year we will be opening our flagship extra care housing complex, Jubilee Gardens, which will see quality housing provision for over 55s.
“Our social prescribing service is also supporting many older people with social isolation. Just last year over 80% of those who used the service reported a reduction in loneliness."
The National Centre of Ageing Better, who provide guidance on age-friendly communities want to change the way we all think about ageing and support a growing movement of people and organisations working to make society more age-inclusive.
Natalie Turner, Deputy Director for Localities at Centre for Ageing Better, said: “The population of the UK is ageing, with one in four people expected to be over 65 by 2050. The fact that people are living longer is cause for celebration, but it is important that we take proactive steps to allow people to age well.
“We are delighted South Ribble have joined the growing number of areas committing to supporting the needs of our ageing population.”
You can read more about the initiative here: UK Network of Age-friendly Communities | Centre for Ageing Better