Age Friendly Summit

Denise attended the highly anticipated Age Friendly Futures Summit in Manchester, an event that brought together 200+ leading experts, policy makers, practitioners and researchers from the UK and around the world to discuss innovative solutions for creating age friendly cities. The event featured prominent international speakers from renowned age friendly communities in Holland, Norway, Ireland, and Pittsburgh - United States, providing a unique platform for sharing successful strategies and approaches aimed at improving the lives of older adults. 

Held at the heart of Manchester’s vibrant city centre, it was a fabulous opportunity for Greater Manchester to showcase the amazing Age Friendly work they have been doing since becoming the first UK city region to create an Age Friendly strategy in 2018. 

Organised by the Centre for Ageing Better, the conference attracted organisations that are dedicated to making communities more inclusive and accessible for ageing populations. Denise, a passionate advocate for ageing well, was thrilled to participate in the event, where she gained invaluable insights into how cities worldwide are tackling the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing society. 

Denise was particularly inspired by the diverse global perspectives on how to foster environments that encourage independence, mobility, and social participation for older adults. The summit emphasised that while each country faces unique challenges, there are universal principles and shared goals that can drive positive change worldwide. 

“I’m truly inspired by the solutions and collaborations showcased at the summit,” said Denise. “It’s clear that age-friendly cities aren’t just about improving physical spaces; they’re about fostering a mindset where older adults are not just supported but empowered to live fulfilling lives. I’m excited to be involved in this worldwide information exchange and take these learnings back to my own community and continue advocating for change.” 

The Centre for Ageing Better serves as a vital partner for collaboration, allowing cities from around the UK to learn from one another and advance the World Health Organisation (WHO) global age-friendly movement. The discussions highlighted the importance of accessibility, healthcare, community involvement, and policy development in building cities where people of all ages can thrive. 

With a growing global population of older adults, events like these play a crucial role in shaping the thought process for the future of cities and communities. The event not only provided a wealth of knowledge from Greater Manchester’s expertise but also sparked important conversations about how to work together to ensure that ageing populations are celebrated and supported. 

As Denise prepares to return to Norwich, she is eager to continue to fly the flag for Age Friendly policies and practices locally, driven by the wealth of ideas and collaborations she experienced at the summit. The event reinforced that creating inclusive cities requires collective action and a shared vision for a future where ageing is a celebrated part of life.