The first Strategy for Older People was launched by the Welsh Government in 2003 and Anglesey Council has developed local strategies for Older People/Ageing Well since then. The current Ageing Well Strategy has been active since 2022 and will run until 2027. The Anglesey Ageing Well Strategy is aligned with the Welsh Government Strategy for an Ageing Society and has been co-produced by the Anglesey Older People`s Council, as well as the wider community through public engagement and consultation.

Anglesey Council work alongside the other 5 North Wales Councils, BCUHB and third sector on regional plans for North Wales.
The key strategies/plans are as below:

• Anglesey and Gwynedd Well-being Plan (Consultation phase)
• Local Area Plans (RPB plans) https://www.northwalescollaborative.wales/north-wales-population-assessment/regional-plan/
• Older People`s Council and Forums, and older people’s groups recognised by the Council
• Signatory of Dublin Declaration
• Age Friendly Champion (Previously known as the Older People’s Champion) This role is bestowed upon an Elected Member by the Leader of the Council. It was decided by the Older People’s Council to change the title to align with current strategies)

In September 2022 an Age Friendly Communities Development Officer was appointed to work within the Isle of Anglesey County Council to lead on liaising the work on behalf of the county. The role’s aim is to apply a structured approach to achieving sustainable, whole system change, supporting partners and deliverers throughout this process, linking to national and international best practice and innovation wherever possible.

Much of the role is focused on developing and maintaining working relationships with key partners such as Anglesey Older People’s Council, Third Sector Organisations, Community Groups, Businesses and Alliances. To date there are over 100 partners involved with the Age Friendly Communities work on Anglesey, and it’s a key priority The Officer identifies current provision that support an ageing population and addresses any gaps through partnership work.

The Officer also works in partnership with local charity Age Cymru Gwynedd a Mon to arrange and facilitate Older People’s Forums on the Island and further engagement work in the community to understand what works well and what could be done to make Anglesey a better place to grow old in. The Older People’s Forums support the work of the Anglesey Older People’s Council.

The Isle of Anglesey County Council have been very proactive in supporting community initiatives and we pride the Council and island on being innovative and community centred. The most recent innovative project currently in development sees Secondary School pupils working to transform bicycles into Google Bikes for care homes, which’ll enable care home residents to use a Google Maps enabled and adapted bicycle to take a cycle through a location of their choice from the comfort of their care home.

Other work supporting the community includes, but is not limited to:
• Older People’s Council
• Older People’s Forums
• Health and Wellbeing events (50+)
• Dementia Active
• Warm spaces and cost of living resource packs
• Community Activity Funds
• Training and Awareness Raising sessions (E.g Dementia Friends, Scam Awareness)
• Community Transport Directory
• Community Hubs Luncheon Clubs and Activities
• Extra Care facilities
• Engagement and consultation on strategies and plans
• Fund early intervention and preventative services
• Intergenerational projects within communities and care homes