North Tyneside joins the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities

North Tyneside is delighted to join the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities – a growing movement of places committed to making their communities a better place to age in, working with the national Centre for Ageing Better.

We are joining a pioneering group of places across the UK who are making changes to our physical and social environment to allow people to remain healthy and independent.

By becoming part of the UK Network we are also joining a global movement led by the World Health Organisation. The approach is an evidence-based, globally recognised framework for creating communities that are better places to grow old.

We have joined the network because we value our older residents and want to take the necessary steps to ensure more people can continue to enjoy life and get the support they need as they age.

We have already started our planning and have some great projects in the community, such as introducing regular Daytime Disco’s where residents can have fun, have a dance and connect with their community. We are also dedicated to establishing an older persons forum with our engagement team and will be talking further to residents, local businesses, charities, and others to identify what’s next and to develop our action plan. This follows a consultation we completed with Healthwatch North Tyneside to hear from older people about the change they want to see.

This will bring a range of partners together so everyone can understand their role and take action to make improvements and to listen to older people in North Tyneside

The UK Network of Age-friendly Communities covers over 26 million people across the UK, of which over 8 million are over 50.

Dawn McNally OBE, Age UK North Tyneside Group Chief Executive said “We are absolutely delighted that North Tyneside has been recognised as an Age Friendly Community. This achievement reflects our shared commitment to making the borough a great place to grow older.

At Age UK North Tyneside, we want every older person to feel valued, heard and supported — and this recognition is an important step towards that goal. Looking ahead, we hope to create a borough-wide network of Age Friendly Ambassadors who will be the eyes, ears and voice of older people in North Tyneside. Together, they will help us ensure that we deliver true equity and opportunity for all older residents”

Cllr Janet Hunter, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at North Tyneside Council, said: “For us, North Tyneside is a place where you are valued, supported, and treated with dignity as you grow older. We want all of our generations to feel the same amount of respect and opportunity. 

“Joining this network is an opportunity to act on what matters to our residents, helping to create better lives for all and help people to age with dignity, purpose, and happiness and I would like to congratulate Age UK North Tyneside on their brilliant achievement. 

“We’re listening to what our residents told us about the changes they’d like to see, and we’ll use this to shape a truly age-friendly borough.”

Natalie Turner, Deputy Director for Localities at Centre for Ageing Better, said: “The population of the UK is ageing, with one in four people expected to be over 65 by 2050. The fact that people are living longer is cause for celebration, but it is important that we take proactive steps to allow people to age well.

“We are delighted North Tyneside have joined the growing number of areas committing to supporting the needs of our ageing population.

“Age-friendly Communities support healthy and active ageing and allow older residents to help shape the place that they live in. In these communities, older people can continue to live in their homes and participate in activities that they value, whilst contributing to their communities.”

About the Centre for Ageing Better   

Everyone has the right to a good life as they get older and our whole society benefits when they do. But far too many people face huge barriers that prevent them from doing so.   

As a result, many older people are living in bad housing, dealing with poverty and poor health and made to feel invisible in their communities and society.

The Centre for Ageing Better is pioneering ways to make ageing better a reality for everyone. 

Its key areas of work include challenging ageism and building a nationwide Age-friendly Movement, creating Age-friendly Employment and Age-friendly Homes.   
It is a charitable foundation funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and part of the Government’s What Works Network.