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Making Norwich an Age Friendly city. Why do we need to do this?

The physical and social environments we all inhabit significantly shape our individual ageing experience and the opportunities it presents. By fostering age-friendly principles in Norwich, we enable individuals to: 

  • Age well in a place right for them 
  • Continue personal growth and development 
  • Maintain community inclusion and feel able to contribute 
  • Preserve independence and health 

Implementing Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCC) initiatives has proven effective in creating more inclusive environments for people of all ages. This approach benefits the entire community, not just older adults. 

Becoming an Age Friendly City requires political commitment from Norwich City Council, it also means listening to the voices of older people and working in partnership to deliver an action plan. Once we register and achieve Age Friendly Norwich status, we join a network of over 1000 other cities and communities in more than 40 countries helping people enjoy their later lives.  

Why do we need to do this?

  • We have a growing, ageing population. By 2040, around 40% of Norfolk’s population are predicted to be of dependent age rather than working age. The population aged 85+ is expected to double in size.
  • People aged 50+ are already primary users of public services. Their representation in the design of the city, its services, and culture has never been so important, both today and in the future.
  • Health is a key factor to quality of life. We know chances of hospital admission increases with age, with people aged 75+ significantly at risk. Residents in Norwich who live in areas of deprivation live 7.8 years (female) and 9.8 (male) fewer years than those in less deprived areas. In Norwich 23% of residents aged 65+ live in impoverished conditions.
  • Care is more common.11% of the Norfolk population (94,694) provides unpaid care to a friend, neighbour or loved one, which is higher than the England average of 10.3%. Disability-free life expectancy has continued to fall, meaning people are more likely to live longer with a disability.
  • Social dislocation. Norwich is one of the most loneliness cities in the country. 42% of residents live alone and in some wards this can be as high as 65%. The mental health hangover from the pandemic, transport, frailty and cost of living are all factors that restrict social connection, which undermines quality of life.

What do we want to see?

Creating an age friendly city will require huge collaboration from all sectors of society, but we know that other cities have focused on eight key areas, in a scale and pace that’s right for them