Five ways town and parish councils are making their communities age-friendly
A rapidly growing ageing population presents an opportunity and a need for town and parish councils to help shape communities to better serve older people.
Here, Bianca Rossetti, our Strategic Partnership Manager, tells of five examples where best practice has already been adopted.
The UK has growing ageing population with the number of people aged 50 and over increasing by almost 50% over the past 40 years. This growth in an ageing population is more prominent in our England’s town and parishes where nearly one in four (23%) town and parish residents are aged 65 and over – compared to the national average of fewer than one in five (18%).
People living longer is cause for celebration, but it does signify the need for a change in the way we think about how our communities can best meet the needs of this growing ageing population.
This approach requires the taking of a fresh look at all of the aspects of a local community and how they influence or impact our ability to age well. This includes the physical environment to the services and social opportunities available to us. With upcoming local government reorganisation, the role of towns and parishes in the decision-making that leads to better later lives becomes increasingly significant.
There is an opportunity now for towns and parishes to grasp and here are some examples of great age-friendly practice already being undertaken by local councils across England from which to take inspiration.
Social Car Scheme – Wimblington and Stonea Parish Council
Wimblington and Stonea Parish Council in Cambridgeshire has developed a social car scheme to improve transport access for Disabled people and people aged 60 and over.
The service is particularly useful for people who have appointments with their GP, dentist, or hospital. But it’s not only restricted to medical needs – the social car scheme is also available for people wishing to see friends or go shopping.
The scheme is run entirely by volunteers and can be used by anyone who is over 60 or Disabled. The cost for users is minimal with a charge of only 30 pence per mile, and it operates from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. There is never more than a charge of £3.00 charge for a journey of 10 miles or under.
The service can be booked by phone without the need for any digital intervention.
Pop Inn Cafe – Yate Town Council
Yate Town Council in South Gloucestershire has been supporting a community café, which is run by the over 50s for the over 50s.
The café, called the ‘Pop Inn Café’, is located in Yate Shopping Centre, between the library and the One Stop Shop.
At the Pop Inn Cafe, customers enjoy affordable beverages, social lunches, music, alfresco cream teas, and socialising opportunities. It’s also a home to the Memory Café, which offers a listening ear service offering support and advice as well as free activities for people with memory loss, and their carers.
Health and Wellbeing Days – Fawkham Parish Council
Fawkham Parish Council in Kent works in collaboration with Sevenoaks District Council to promote health and wellbeing days for residents over age 55 enabling them to visit local leisure centres for free NHS health checks, as part of their local Silver Sunday celebrations.
Silver Sunday is a national action day originally set up to tackle loneliness. But in recent years the campaign has evolved into a celebration of ageing and the important contributions that older people make to their communities, while also encouraging social activity.
In 2025, the initiative in Sevenoaks ran from October to December and included three Silver Fairs to celebrate older people in the district as well as hosting health and wellbeing days at leisure centres, art classes, and libraries tours.
Community Toilet Scheme – Penzance Parish Council
When people are out and about and away from home, access to a public toilet isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.
In 2016 Penzance Parish Council took over the running of six public toilets in Penzance from Cornwall Council.
Since then, the parish council has invested more than £50,000 to improve the facilities and they have also employed a local company to keep them clean.
In 2024 Penzance took on the Newlyn public toilets from the Newlyn Harbour Authority and they’ve already received positive feedback about the improvements that have been made.
Penzance is also one of the first town councils in Cornwall to introduce a community toilet scheme
The Penzance Community Toilet Scheme has been developed in partnership with local community-focused businesses, providing an extra 12 toilets to their existing public toilet services.
Community Agents – Leighton-Linsdale Town Council
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) is funded by Leighton-Linslade Town Council, which has appointed ‘Community Agents’ to provide free support for residents of Leighton Buzzard.
The role is designed to support residents directly or by signposting them to appropriate services , particularly important for those who may be unable to access support online
They can help in the completion of forms, like Blue Badge applications, and support older people’s independence through navigating housing problems. And if an older person wishes to consider joining local groups or volunteering, the Community Agents can help to seek out the best opportunities.
