News / Bristol Ageing Better
Making Bristol businesses more age-friendly
A new age-friendly toolkit is being rolled out across Bristol to help businesses reach older people and become more inclusive.
Described as a “win-win scenario”, the initiative is expected to boost the local economy, while making elderly residents feel valued, respected and more able to access all the city has to offer.
Bristol was accepted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a member of the Global Network of Age Friendly Communities (GNAFC) late last year and in February, a total of £130,000 was committed to fulfilling the ambition of making the city the best place to grow old in.
Bristol was accepted as a member of the Global Network of Age Friendly Communities (GNAFC) in December
Bristol Ageing Better (BAB) is now launching the new toolkit to facilitate better links between businesses and older people.
“We want to encourage businesses to be more proactive and meet the needs of older people in the city,” says Bianca Rossetti, editor of the toolkit and BAB project officer.
“This is a win-win scenario where local businesses are able to reach new customers and older people feel more valued and respected in the city.”
BAB says an understanding of the key principles of age-friendliness can be of huge benefit to business owners.
Over-65s spend £1 of every £5 spent in the UK, according to the charity’s research and this number is set to increase.
The toolkit is a free guide for businesses that want to improve what they can offer older people and will be launched at an informal event at The Station on Wednesday, May 15 from 5pm-7pm.
Carly Urbanski says the launch toolkit will be the first in a series
Carly Urbanski, BAB’s head of programme, said, “We’re really excited for the launch of our business toolkits – this is just the first age-friendly toolkit in a series that we will be creating to help businesses, individuals, communities and the third sector to become more age-friendly and inclusive.
“It has been fantastic to interview local businesses and hear what they have already been doing to support their communities.”
For more information and free tickets, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/age-friendly-business-guide-launch-event-tickets-59954304940.
Read more: ‘We need to change perceptions of ageing in Bristol’
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