Plymouth is set to become a more welcoming city for older people in new plans laid out by Plymouth City Council.
The Council is committing to ambitious plans for Plymouth to become a city where people age well, where older residents are supported and empowered to live life to the fullest.
A city-wide steering group will be created to develop an ageing well programme for Plymouth. The plans will be discussed at the Council’s next Cabinet meeting on 12 June.
Plymouth’s plans will follow the globally-recognised framework of the Centre for Ageing Better, which sets out how places can overcome barriers and provide proactive support in eight different areas. These are:
- Outdoor spaces and buildings: ensuring public buildings and the environment is safe, accessible and comfortable
- Transport: ensuring there are affordable, reliable and convenient transport options
- Housing: helping to maintain good quality housing, which impacts on physical and emotional health
- Social participation: encouraging participation in leisure, cultural and spiritual activities to help tackle loneliness and isolation
- Respect and social inclusion: fighting against ageism and treating everyone with respect
- Civic participation and employment: providing options for older people to contribute to their communities through paid employment or voluntary work
- Communication and information: helping people to keep connected and ensuring information is accessible for all abilities
- Community support and health services: offering accessible health care services, community support and opportunities to keep active
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “I’m really excited by the potential that this has to make sure that Plymouth is an accessible and inclusive city where everyone can thrive regardless of their age. Let’s face it, we are all getting older, and we all deserve a good quality of life, whether you are as fit as a fiddle, or have daily challenges to face. The plans we are going to be developing will help to make sure that residents are supported to age well, to have a good quality of life and play an active role with friends and families, and in the community.”