Getting started delivering an Age-friendly Community

This resource outlines:

• Why places should become an Age-friendly Community and the impacts of taking the Age-friendly Communities approach,
• The World Health Organisation Age-friendly Communities Framework,
• Detailed guidance to understand the six key foundations of an Age-friendly Community including resources and examples,
• How to apply to the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities.

The six key foundations of an Age-friendly Community that are outlined within the resource and align with the UK Network’s application form are: 

1. Political and strategic commitment
2. Resources and funding
3. Governance structures
4. Involvement of older people
5. Understanding your current age-friendliness
6. Strategy and action plan

To join the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities, places must submit an application form. Places can submit an application on a quarterly basis to the UK Network team.  

The next deadline to submit the first draft application form will be in the spring, 2026.

We advise anyone that wants to make their community age-friendly to first read this guidance document. If your community wants to join the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities and would like to discuss this process, please email the UK Network team here.