Oldham community wins age-friendly status

Saddleworth and Lees has been given age-friendly neighbourhood status, as Greater Manchester looks to be one of the best places in the world to grow older.

It's one of 21 communities recognised across all 10 boroughs of the region. 

At an event on Thursday (February 6), representatives of those communities gathered at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester to celebrate their success.

They shared the work they have been doing, learned from each other, and looked at ways age-friendly neighbourhoods could network in future.

Cllr Brenda Warrington, who is age-friendly lead for Greater Manchester, said: “We are all growing older, so being age-friendly is in the interest of everyone across the city-region.

“All our winners are the shining lights of age-friendliness in Greater Manchester. The winners are fantastic examples of communities and public services coming together to help people age well and live their best life in places they love.”

Metro mayor Andy Burnham launched his Age-Friendly Challenge in 2018 to recognise the hard work of organisations and older people. Since then 53 neighbourhoods, across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, have been recognised.

The Age-Friendly Challenge is open to the voluntary and community sector, public services, and older people’s groups. Work could include offering community activities and initiatives, improving older people’s quality of life, and celebrating age-friendly employers.