Major milestone: The UK Network of Age-friendly Communities is now 50 +

Six new towns and cities have been officially inducted into the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities. 

The UK Network of Age-friendly Communities is a growing movement across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. An Age-friendly Community is a place where people of all ages are able to live healthy and active later lives.

The Age-friendly Communities Framework was developed by the World Health Organisation, in consultation with older people. It's built on the evidence of what supports healthy and active ageing in a place. In these communities, older residents help to shape the place where they live. This involves local groups, councils, businesses and residents all working together to identify and make changes in both the physical and social environments, for example transport, outdoor spaces, volunteering and employment, leisure and community services.

Framlingham in Suffolk is our first Age-friendly Community in East Anglia, and with a population of 4,000 it is now the smallest member. South Lakeland is the network’s first member in Cumbria. Rother in East Sussex has one of the highest age-demographics in the UK. Knowsley is the third of six in the Liverpool City Region to join. And with Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid Ulster joining, ten out of the 11 districts in Northern Ireland are now part of the UK Network.

“I am delighted we have hit this major milestone by welcoming six more members into our ever-growing movement. This is a golden age for the Network as we pass the 50 mark. It’s so inspiring to see how many places are making a commitment to work towards becoming a great place to grow old in.

“Becoming age-friendly allows older residents the opportunity to help shape and create the place where they live. But the benefits are for the whole community. An age-friendly community doesn’t just benefit older adults – it benefits everyone.”