Age-friendly on a budget: A selection of good practice from the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities

At time when investing in new projects can feel like a luxury, investing in partnerships has never been more important.  
 
Fortunately, the World Health Organisation’s Age-friendly Communities framework outlines ways in which places can do that.  

The examples we’ve collated below detail see how places across the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities are finding innovative solutions to the needs of local older people where they are with the minimum of costs. 

Doorbells at wheelchair height are provided to Banbury businesses, promoting better access for residents who might need assistance.   

Need - Some older premises in Banbury town centre are not easily accessible for members of the public. Some buildings have a slight lip in the doorway, and others have doors which require manual opening. Inaccessible buildings can lead to accidents and can also mean some older people, disabled people, and people with pushchairs are less able to make the most of their high street.  

Solution - Age-friendly Banbury invited the Banbury Business Improvement District (BID) to join them on a walking audit during which they identified several businesses that were not easily accessible. In response, Banbury BID offered to assist businesses that had committed to the Age-friendly Banbury Pledge to become more accessible. They did this by providing businesses with kits that consist of a weather-proof plaque, jointly branded by Age-friendly Banbury and Banbury BID, and a remote doorbell which can be easily installed at wheelchair-accessible heights near the entrance.  

Cost - The initiative was delivered at no cost to Age-friendly Banbury thanks to the generosity of the Banbury Business Improvement District (BID).

For more information visit Age-friendly Banbury.

Repairing a damaged bench in a key location in Penistone, Barnsley, has meant more people are able to enjoy their local High Street. 

Need - Benches play an important role in promoting accessibility in local communities. A key bench on Penistone Hight Street was out of use for an extended period of time. Councillor for Penistone West, in Barnsley, Hannah Kitching said the bench was in a crucial location for Penistone’s older and less mobile residents to take a rest when out and about on the High Street.  

Solution - The damaged bench was repaired by the community voluntary group, Penistone's Men in Sheds, and was completed using donated materials. The Men in Sheds assessed the site, took measurements and cut all the timber to size in their shed. They later returned to site and installed all the slats. 

The project involved various community stakeholders and aimed to promote community ownership and pride, reducing the risk of future vandalism. The refurbished bench is now well-used by people of all ages. 

The 'Take a Seat Barnsley' bench project exemplifies community collaboration involving Barnsley Council, Berneslai Homes, Age UK, and Penistone's 'Men in Sheds.' 

Cost - This project took a lot of time and effort to complete, but at zero cost for all materials and installation. The Men in Sheds kindly donated their time and materials to refurbish this damaged bench.

For more information visit Age-friendly Barnsley.

Hastings have established weekly drop-in sessions to support residents to fill in official forms and electronic submissions.  

Need - In October 2022, during the cost-of-living crisis, many older individuals in Age-friendly Hastings expressed a lack of awareness about available government assistance due to digital disconnection and difficulties with form filling. A simple solution emerged when a 79-year-old resident suggested, "People just need help to fill in forms," giving birth to the concept of Form Filling Friday.  

Solution - Initially, Form Filling Friday was an open session where local councillors volunteered to assist older individuals with hard copy forms and electronic submissions. This expanded to include local help and advice organizations, and the addition of a pop-up cafe offering affordable food and drinks. The cafe component proved effective, drawing people into the venue where they could then receive help and assistance. This insight guided the development of Form Filling Friday into the Helping Hands initiative where a mobile community marketplace for advice and support tours the town during the winter months.  

Cost - Support from councillors to fill out the forms was free. The costs for Form Filling Friday included staff time for organization and promotion, funded through assets from an older people's charity that had gone into administration, and promotional expenses for the Age Friendly newsletter.  

The events took place in a community building leased from Hastings Borough Council, which also had a café, facilitated by Hastings Food Network and supported by Hastings Voluntary Action funding.

For more information visit Age-friendly Hastings.

In addressing the need to prevent winter falls, South Lanarkshire has made salt sticks available at low cost by bulk buying in partnership with the council and expanding distribution through community groups.   

Need - Icy conditions often lead to slips and falls, which can harm both physical and mental wellbeing. Many councils tend to focus on gritting outside pavements and paths but overlook the equally important issue of ensuring the safety of internal garden paths and spaces. This oversight can leave people confined to their homes or exposed to the risk of falling, especially during winter months.   

Solution - The team discovered that council workers who assist older people in getting to day services were already using salt sticks as a preventive measure against falls. These de-icing salt sticks offer a quick and effective solution for eliminating ice from various surfaces like pathways to bins, driveways, and steps at front doors. The lightweight tubes of de-icing rock salt work by opening the cap and waving the stick from side to side, dispersing the salt to thaw the desired area.  

Recognising the value of these salt sticks, Age-friendly South Lanarkshire approached council workers and requested their assistance in acquiring them at a reduced cost. In the initial phase, they encouraged local older people's clubs and groups to apply for community funds, allowing them to purchase their own supply of salt sticks and expanding the distribution of this helpful resource. During phase two of the project, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture’s staff helped to hand deliver salt sticks to older people at home during lockdown.  

Cost - At £5 per person for each salt stick purchased, a total of £200 was spent on the first phase of the project. The project continues with ongoing consultation with older people regarding prevention of falls and in particular winter initiatives.    

For more information on Age-friendly South Lanarkshire.

To find out more about the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities, visit here or email [email protected]