WORCESTER needs to start better meeting the needs of older people.
That’s the idea behind a bid to make the city an Age-friendly Community.
These are places recognised for enabling people to age well and contribute to their communities for as long as possible.
The concept was developed by the World Health Organisation in 2007 and there are more than 85 Age-friendly Communities in the UK.
City councillor Karen Lewing is passionate about the scheme and is hoping for the support of others when she introduces a motion before full council next week.
“If we can’t meet the needs of older people then everyone loses out,” she said.
“Older people bring experience and expertise but we risk missing out on that through ill health, poverty and discrimination.
“Sometimes we look at older people as a burden but they are often able to work, they volunteer and they run community groups.”
Cllr Lewing said becoming an Age-friendly Community is partly about having a more joined-up approach as a council.
It would also involve working more alongside charities that she said do “so much for people in the city”.
“It’s about having the needs of older people at the heart of our decisions,” she said.
The motion itself calls for the council to make an official application to join the UK register of Age-friendly Communities.
Cllr Lewing also wants to see a councillor take on a new role of ‘Age Friendly Champion’.
The council already has member champions for the armed forces; heritage; children and young people; equality, diversity and inclusion; and personal safety and civility.
These are councillors who act as advocates for particular themes or communities.
Cllr Lewing says older people aren’t served by the current roles.
“An Age Friendly Champion would work with community groups, speak to charities, use our social media and influence policy,” she said.
“As an architect I’m aware of the limitations of place – level crossings, dropped kerbs and other barriers.
“But it’s not just about the physical world. It’s about inclusion – our older population is more diverse than ever before.”
(Worcester News 7/12/2024)