MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL
NEWS RELEASE
30 June 2010
Manchester only city in the UK named in network of age-friendly cities
The World Health Organisation has confirmed that Manchester is one of nine cities, and the only city in the United Kingdom, to be included in the first wave of its new age-friendly programme to be launched in New York on 30 June.
The organisation has launched its global network of cities to determine the key elements of the urban environment that support active and healthy ageing.
It will allow cities from around the world to learn from each others’ experiences and to develop solutions to practical problems such as street seating, greater access to toilet facilities and better IT connectivity, as well as, strengthening opportunities and activities for older residents.
The aim of the network is to focus on making it even easier for older people to live in Manchester – from developing accessible transport, outdoor spaces and buildings, as well as the need for appropriate housing.
Councillor Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council and lead member for the Valuing Older People programme said: “This is a great opportunity for Manchester to make the city even better for our older residents, they are assets to our communities with a significant amount of skills and experience to offer the city, neighbourhoods and young people.
“It will also allow older people to be active participants in society, to overcome ageism and to provide greater opportunities for civic participation and employment.”
Valuing Older People, a multi-agency programme led by Manchester’s Joint Health Unit, to improve services and opportunities for the city's older population, was set up in 2003.
Since then it has published a ten year strategy, ‘Manchester – A Great Place to Grow Older’ and conducted a range of improvements from running an annual celebration of ageing, ‘The Full of Life Festival’ and awarding 200 community groups grants, to improving health, care and housing services for older people and leading a programme of 13 Intergenerational projects, called Generations Together.
According to Dr John Beard, Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course with WHO said the contribution of older people in the city are often overlooked, but are vital.
He said: “The Network will help cities create urban environments that allow older people to remain active and healthy participants in society.”
The global network requires participating cities to start a process of assessment and implementation.
Councillor Sue Murphy said: “It is one thing to identify the problems confronting older people, but it’s another to do something about it. We are committed to taking active steps to creating a better environment for our older residents.”
ENDS
Media Contact: Jacqueline Meenan/Caty Cartwright, Manchester City Council, Press Office, 0161 234 1010