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Bristol named as newest age-friendly city
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has accepted Bristol as a member of the Global Network of Age Friendly Communities (GNAFC). This follows the submission of an age-friendly action plan, which placed age friendliness as a core responsibility of all council departments and partners.
Bristol will be the 705th global member, and the 23rd British member, of the network. The GNAFC was set up in 2007 by the WHO, with the belief that an age-inclusive society benefits the whole community. Their approach targets strategic areas, including transport, housing and social participation.
Bristol’s membership comes after three years of collaborative work to make the city more inclusive for the 17.2 per cent of the population that is aged over 60. Older people were also encouraged to have a say in the direction of these efforts.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol Ageing Better has played a large role in this collaboration. The partnership of over 250 organisations, led by Age UK Bristol, works to try to reduce elderly isolation through innovative projects around the city.
Bristol Ageing Better, a partnership of 250 organisations, has led the way for Bristol to join the network
Bristol City Council have also been involved in these efforts. Bristol’s mayor, Marvin Rees, said: “Bristol being accepted to the Age-friendly Cities network is a restatement of our commitment to enable older people to feel safe, enjoy good health and continue to participate fully in society.
“I want to see Bristol as a better place for everyone to grow old and become a more closely connected society where people work together and support one another.”
As well as bringing attention to Bristol’s successes, the membership helps future developments by giving the city access to the GNAFC’s network of 40 countries and 14 affiliated networks. Through this, Bristol’s organisations can exchange information about previous experiences with age-inclusive policy, and collaborate on future projects.
They hope to further improve the quality of life of Bristol’s older residents as a result of this.
Read more: Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2018, day 4: Bristol Ageing Better
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