Crompton, Halliwell, Tonge with the Haulgh recognised as Age-Friendly by Mayor of Greater Manchester
Published on 15 February 2019 03:21 PM
Crompton, Halliwell and Tonge with the Haulgh in Bolton have been officially recognised as age-friendly neighbourhoods by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
The Mayor announced the winners of his Age-Friendly Challenge during Greater Manchester’s “Doing Ageing Differently” conference, held at Manchester Science and Industry Museum on Wednesday, 13th February 2019. The event brought together over 300 key figures from local and international organisations.
Crompton, Halliwell and Tonge with the Haulgh were 3 out of 32 Greater Manchester areas to be recognised by the award scheme designed to showcase the best places to live and age well. The award with merit also showed that these areas are committed to helping older people feel independent, safe and secure, and informed about what is going on in their local area.
Submissions to the Mayor’s Age-Friendly Challenge were reviewed by an expert panel chaired by Professor Chris Phillipson from MICRA at The University of Manchester. Other panellists included representatives from Greater Manchester Older People’s Network, Ambition for Ageing, and the Centre for Ageing Better.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:
“I launched this challenge last year to unearth the positive work I know is going on in Greater Manchester, to find practical examples of what age-friendly really means, and to share best practice across the city-region. The response to this challenge has been fantastic. The variety of age-friendly work displayed from all our winners clearly shows the commitment from our local communities to make sure that people in Greater Manchester are living not just longer, but happier and healthier too.”
Bolton's Ambition for Ageing programme is a partnership between Bolton CVS, Age UK Bolton and Bolton at Home, supported by key local partners including Bolton Council. The Ambition for Ageing programme works with local residents to find out what they feel needs to happen to create stronger and more supportive age-friendly communities.
An age-friendly neighbourhood is a place wheren residents are committed to looking out for each other, older people feel they can have a say in what’s going on in their local area, and there are spaces where people can get together.
Suzanne Hilton, Chief Executive of Age UK Bolton said:
“On behalf of Age UK Bolton we are proud to be part of the successful Ambition for Ageing programme. Empowering and enabling our older residents to have a voice and play a leading role in designing and shaping the places where they live. Too often our ageing population is spoken about as a challenge, but these awards shine a positive light on what older people are achieving together in Bolton and across Greater Manchester.”
Louise McDade, Policy and Engagement Manager from Bolton CVS said:
"We are delighted to be working with excellent partners, local groups and older people in Halliwell, Crompton and Tonge with the Haulgh to create age friendly neighbourhoods. Connecting and supporting people to build on the amazing strengths within Bolton."
Shauna Morton, Head of Community Investment from Bolton at Home said:
“Bolton at Home are absolutely delighted to be part of this initiative, and are glad to see the impact it has had on the lives of older people in Bolton.”
Notes to editors
Greater Manchester is the UK’s first age-friendly city region, as recognised by the World Health Organization.
The Mayor’s Age-Friendly Challenge represents a commitment to shape a city-region that recognises the contribution older people make and the value in keeping all residents socially, physically and economically active for longer.
The challenge was launched by Andy Burnham during Greater Manchester’s Festival of Ageing in July 2018, where he called for the voluntary and community sector, public services, and older people’s groups to submit their best age-friendly schemes and help deliver more age-friendly neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester.
The Mayor’s Age-Friendly Challenge was delivered by Ambition for Ageing on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Ageing Hub which works to improve older people’s quality of life in Greater Manchester, addressing the challenges and embracing the opportunities the UK is facing in response to a rapidly growing older population.
www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/agefriendlygm
Age-friendly neighbourhood information from Ambition for Ageing report Building Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester.
https://ambitionforageing.org.uk/neighbourhoods
Find out what is happening locally around the Ambition for Ageing Programme in Bolton.
http://www.boltoncvs.org.uk/ambition-ageing
Find out what Age UK Bolton offer by visiting: www.ageukbolton.org.uk
Ambition for Ageing Contact Details:
Senior Project Officer – Ambition for Ageing
01204 382411, yasminholgeth@ageukbolton.org.uk
Website: http://www.boltoncvs.org.uk/ambition-ageing
With a special thank you to our Ambition for Ageing volunteers, residents from the Halliwell, Crompton and Tonge with the Haulgh wards and our partner groups and organisations: Transport for Greater Manchester, Hibbert Community Regeneration Agency, Bolton College, Huddle UP Café, All Souls Community Centre, ASDA Foundation, Greenway Community Centre, Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust , The Bridge Church & Community Centre, One Point Bolton, Bolton Health Improvement Practitioners (NHS), Henshaws, Church at the Centre, Greater Sport, Bolton Carers Support, Bolton Hindu Age Inspiration, Bolton Wanderers Foundation Trust, Greenway Over 50’s Group, HEEP Group, ZADA Elders, Cobden Ladies, Shenaz’s Salon, Crompton Reminiscence Group. Bolton Carers Support, Halliwell Befriending Service, Crompton Place Shopping Centre, Halliwell UCAN Centre, Bolton Community Development Partnership, Prime Sports, Reflections Counselling, Hamers Butchers, Octagon Theatre, Crumbs Café, Allens Footwear, Specsavers, Gracie Barra Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. Musicaliti, Golden Olides, Team Tonge Fold, St Chads Church, Tonge UCAN Centre, Moorgate Primary School, Tonge Childrens Centre, Fusion Centre.
