In a strategic context, the Age Friendly Programme links in with our Community Plan (2015-2032) entitled “Putting People First”. This plan focuses on working together to address the key issues that organisations working individually, cannot address alone; we call this collaborative gain. A key strategic priority for Mid and East Antrim in our community plan is “Responding to an Ageing Society – so that our older people are active, respected and supported in their community”.

This includes extending dementia friendly initiatives across the Borough and expanding into Age Friendly and membership of MEA’s Loneliness Network, which has recently launched the ‘Chatty Benches’ initiative to target loneliness.

Council already provides services to older persons through poverty related support programmes and community resilience initiatives. In our Public Protection, Resilience and Wellbeing department, we currently deliver Home Accident Prevention advice and support, including safety equipment deliveries to those aged over 65 through referrals from health professionals and self-referrals. In 2021 we delivered home safety advice and equipment to 81 households.

Our services are promoted at a range of events throughout the year including luncheon clubs and community groups aimed at providing information and advice to raising awareness of key health and wellbeing messages for our older population.

Formalising the Age Friendly agenda will help Council to provide cohesive programmes under an established and recognised framework, which will in turn improve benchmarking (both internally and externally) and aid continuous improvement of services through the direct participation of older residents and their advocates.

The Age Friendly Programme compliments the existing Dementia Friendly status within the borough and close links will be established to ensure both initiatives are mutually beneficial. The programme will also link to Council’s Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing ambitions for citizens of the borough.