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Communities

 
 
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This monthly e-newsletter is for professionals whose work involves people later in life. Read about the latest publicly available research and policy information from a range of institutions and government departments.

Below are items of important work that cover community issues from the last month.

Combating loneliness: a guide for local authorities

The Campaign to End Loneliness, in association with the Local Government Association’s Ageing Well programme, has recently launched this report. It covers interventions to tackle loneliness among older people at the strategic, neighbourhood and individual levels, and includes a range of examples of each.

Get the report and find out more on their opens link in new window website.

Localism Act – new neighbourhood planning powers come into force

Provisions in the Localism Act to allow communities to put together their own plans for their neighbourhood have now come into force. This opens link in new window new government website explains what communities can do with neighbourhood plans and gives examples of what people are already doing. 

Age UK has called on the government to provide the advice and support communities need to make these new opportunities work. It is also up to local activists to consider how best to make these new rights support the goals for their communities.

Communities and Local Government Committee: Announcement of new inquiry - Councillors and the community

The Committee has issued a opens link in new window call for evidence for an inquiry into the work and activities of councillors elected to principal authorities in England. This will cover for instance their role as leaders of communities and neighbourhoods as well as the practicalities of being a councillor such as the time commitment and remuneration.

Age UK recognises the important role councillors play in to improve their neighbourhoods. Our opens link in new window Pride of Place campaign now has over 200 local councillors taking part as advocates of older people in their neighbourhood. We will be submitting evidence to the inquiry.

Remote communities – study from the Office of Fair Trading

The OFT is opens link in new window conducting a study into the issues relating to the supply of goods and services for people living in remote communities. Access, price and quality of goods and services present problems for people living in these remote communities.

Age UK has a particular concern that older consumers in remote communities can face the dual problem of living on lower incomes and facing difficulties accessing goods and services.

Living well with dementia - Design Council to launch new projects

The Design Council in partnership with the Department of Health has funded and supported the development of five innovative new solutions that can improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, and aid the development of dementia friendly communities.

The prototypes of these five designs will be launched at a Design Council event on Thursday 26 April. To learn more about this exciting project and find out how you can visit the design exhibition go to the opens link in new window Design Council website.

Working in neighbourhoods, active citizenship and localism

opens link in new window A new report published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows how neighbourhoods are the key focus for the Coalition's Localism policies to devolve control over services, assets and decision-making to citizens, and to create a 'Big Society'.    

 

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