Manchester City Council Valuing Older People Programme
Manchester City Council has adopted a multi-agency approach to improving connections in older age, building communities and promoting ‘active ageing’.
They were the first city in the UK to become a member of the World Health Organisation network of Age Friendly Cities after establishing a Valuing Older People programme to improve services and opportunities for older residents in Manchester.
Since 2003 they have launched a ten-year strategy ‘Manchester – A Great Place to Grow Older’, and awarded grants to 200 community groups to improve care and housing services.
One such group is the LINk Rusholme and Fallowfield Good Neighbours Project , which supports older people by provide advice, comfort and a ‘helping hand’ to those that need it. The project aims to direct this support at people who are at risk of loneliness.
The project has recently trained volunteers to provide a befriending and shopping support service. Volunteers also assist people to make medical appointments and take part in activities organised by the local Community Association. Last year, the LINk partnered with the Manchester Costume Gallery to run a series of art and craft sessions and discussion groups.
The Campaign works closely with a number of local authorities, including Manchester City Council, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Oxfordshire County Council, who chair the Campaign’s Research Hub.
