Communities and inclusion

Latest news

Age UK produces a monthly research and policy e-newsletter for professionals interested in ageing and people in later life, where you can find out more about topics such as changes to the Localism Bill.

Also, you can now book your place at our upcoming event: Conference - Agenda for later life 2012

Age Friendly Neighbourhoods

Age friendly neighbourhoods (also known as Lifetime Neighbourhoods) are villages, towns, cities and suburbs that are shaped with all ages in mind. For many older people a lack of good quality support and infrastructure within the neighbourhood - such as safe well-lit streets, better meeting places and green spaces or being involved in local decisions - acts as a barrier preventing them from being active and independant. Age UK is campaigning for age friendly neighbourhoods. We are working with groups of older people with the Change One Thing campaign and with local councillors with the Pride of Place campaign to improve local neighbourhoods.

Here are a selection of recent and important documents. For related Age UK publications please use the search box below to carry out a more comprehensive search.

 Towards common ground (PDF 908KB)

Localism and 'Big Society'

The Government wants to devolve more power to local communities. Age UK recognises this is an opportunity for people in later life to have a greater say in their neighbourhoods and shape the services they rely on. However, we need to ensure that everyone can get involved and safeguards are in place so that localism is not just for those who weild the most influence.

Age UK believes that our partners, friends, forums and volunteers are instrumental in building bigger and stronger communities. This is nothing new. We have set out criteria that we believe are important to help shape the 'Big Society' we want to see.

 We're building a stronger society: Big Society in practice 

Here are a selection of recent and important documents. For related Age UK publications please use the search box below to carry out a more comprehensive search.

 Policy briefing - Localism Act 2011(PDF, 149KB)

 Age UK response - PASC Inquiry into Big Society (PDF)

 Proposals to introduce a Community Right to Buy – Assets of Community Value, Department for Communities and Local Government (PDF, 176KB)

 Proposals to introduce a Community Right to Challenge, Department for Communities and Local Government (PDF, 103KB)

 Localism Bill second reading briefing (PDF 104KB)

Rural communities

Over the hill? is a campaign being run by the Rural Media Company, with support from Age UK. It aims to highlight the challenges faced by those growing older in the countryside and also questions assumptions regarding the services rural older people want and need.

The first phase of this three-year project, funded by the Nationwide Foundation has now been completed, during which the Rural Media Company has researched and filmed eight case studies. These films can be viewed online and a DVD is also available free of charge to those who work with, influence or make decisions on behalf of rural older people.

Watch the videos and find out more at Rural Media

Social inclusion

Social inclusion is important to the quality of life and independence of people of all ages. There are 1.2 million people over 50 who are socially excluded. This is, they are cut off from the mainstream of society. This is not just about being poor, but also being unable to access things in life that most of society takes for granted. Opportunities to participate and contribute to community and society are integral to autonomy and dignity.

Age Action Alliance

The Age Action Alliance is a partnership of organisations from civil society and the public and private sectors, which celebrates the lives of older people and their contribution to society. We work together and use our diverse skills to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged older people and prevent deprivation in later life. We tackle issues by pooling expertise, sharing resources, communicating ideas and championing new ways of working to make a real difference to people’s lives, enabling older people to act for themselves where they can, or providing support where they can’t.

 Learn more at the Age Action Alliance website