Creating an age friendly Buckinghamshire for all

As set out in its Healthy Ageing Strategy which has been formally approved by the council this week.

The document sets out the vision for how Buckinghamshire aspires to be a place for all residents to enjoy growing older in an age friendly community. The strategy also includes an action plan of how the vision will be achieved.

Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing explained: “Healthy ageing means living a healthy and fulfilling life, being able to participate in activities and contribute to your community. It also encompasses having financial security and living in a suitable home in a safe and thriving community. With the right policies, environments and support, people can age well and live independent and meaningful lives."

Angela continued: “The purpose of this strategy is to create a shared vision for how Buckinghamshire can be a better place for older residents to live healthy and active lives now and in the future.”

To become an age friendly community, the strategy focuses on eight interconnecting areas outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO):

• Outdoor spaces and buildings
• Transport
• Housing
• Participation in society
• Volunteering and employment
• Communication and information
• Community support for health and wellbeing
• Respect and social inclusion

In the first year, the focus for Buckinghamshire will be on two priorities - outdoor spaces and buildings, and participating in society.

To oversee the implementation of the strategy a multi-agency Age Friendly Bucks Partnership has been set up with external partners including the NHS and voluntary sector organisations. The views and ideas of residents and community groups have shaped the aims of the strategy and will continue to inform the implementation.

To further support the success of the strategy Buckinghamshire Council has joined the UK Network of Age Friendly Communities which is run by the Centre for Ageing Better and affiliated to the WHO’s Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities. Being a member of this network provides access a range of additional resources including good practice guidance and advice. In addition, the council has partnered locally with Age UK Buckinghamshire to ensure a local focus in maintained.

Angela added: “We want everyone to age well but ageing doesn’t just begin over the age of 65. Our health in middle age strongly influences our chances of staying well in our older years and so this strategy will be aimed at everyone aged 40 and over. We want to work in partnership with our communities to bring about changes and improvements that benefit us all as we get older and help to give all our residents the best chance to age well in Buckinghamshire.”

Find more information on Healthy Ageing in Buckinghamshire on the website.