Age-friendly Practices

Explore a growing collection of practices from across the UK, bringing together practical examples of what works to make communities more age-friendly.

These case studies show the wide range of actions communities are taking, from small, low-cost changes to more ambitious, long-term approaches. By sharing what’s already making a difference, these age-friendly practices help inspire communities, adapt good practice for their own context, and build on existing momentum rather than reinventing the wheel.

Further age-friendly practice examples can also be found within the Age-friendly Communities handbook, Age-friendly Communities Impact Report and Age-friendly Town and Parish guides.

Case Study: Take a Seat – Nottingham

Take a Seat initiatives tackle a wide range of issues from accessibility to social connection and health – one seat at a time.

Case Study: Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre

Making shopping centres more age-friendly by making it easier and safer to shop independently and engage with the local community can benefit a range of people not just older people. This case study shows how Trinity Leeds has listened to customer feedback from older age adults as well as partner insights to make it more inclusive and accessible to all.

Case Study: Libraries in Manchester

Manchester libraries achieved ‘Age-friendly Libraries’ status in June 2022, recognising their commitment to a set of age-friendly standards. This case study shows how they have adapted services and physical spaces to better meet the needs of older people and highlights the benefits they have seen.

Case Study: Ageing Well Ambassadors in Sunderland

As Age-friendly Communities, places are actively involving older adults, ensuring they have a voice in shaping their environment and the services they use. This case study highlights how Sunderland City Council established a network of ‘ambassadors’ to help achieve these goals.

Case Study: Reaching out to rural areas - South Lanarkshire's mobile Men's shed

The project was run by Seniors Together – a team working within South Lanarkshire Council, in partnership with a network of organisations, to achieve an improved society for older people. This case study explores the project and its benefits in accessing social support. South Lanarkshire Council used a mobile Men’s Shed to reach isolated older men in rural areas.

Case Study: Supporting older people to shape their environment through walk audits

Walking audits are a tool many Age-friendly Communities are using in different ways to strengthen the voices of older people in the design of outdoor spaces.

Case Study: Challenging ageism in Age-friendly Communities

Bristol's Age Proud campaign - This case study looks at how Age-friendly Bristol challenged negative perceptions of older age – in a style fitting of the city’s vibrant culture.

Challenging ageism in Age-friendly Communities Bristol’s Age Proud campaign

Case Study: Community radio for and by people in later life

This set of case studies highlights four organisations across Age-friendly Communities who have set up radio programmes with and for older listeners.

Case Study: Couch to out and about - age-friendly walking in Greater Manchester

Tameside Council in Greater Manchester is encouraging older residents to be more physically active and socialise through walking.

Case Study: Age-friendly Barnsley's walking football

This is the story of how Wombwell Main FC in Barnsley is encouraging people to get active as a way of improving lifestyle.

Case Study: Improving services for older customers

How Age UK Isle of Wight developed training to help service providers become more age-friendly.