Since March 2016, Time to Shine Age Friendly Campaign Officer Emily Axel has been consulting with older people all over Leeds to write an Age Friendly Charter for the city. Leeds joined the World Health Organisation’s Network of Age Friendly cities in August 2014 and is striving to make sure that it is a great city to grow old in. 

The World Health Organisation lists eight domains cities should consider: Housing, Outdoor Spaces, Community and Health Support, Communication and Information, Transportation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Social Participation, and Civic Participation and Employment. Emily used these domains as a guide for what questions to ask people in focus groups and on questionnaires about what Leeds is doing well and what we can do better. 

After a follow-up consultation on the first draft, and input from the Ageing Well Board and Cllr Rebecca Charlwood, the final draft has been published along with an accompanying report to explain the process. To celebrate, Time to Shine hosted three launch events so people could get their copy and learn more.

Lewis Cooper, a project support officer at Leeds City Council came along to talk about the South Bank Regeneration Project and their commitment to making it Age- and Dementia-Friendly. There is an ongoing consultation so as many people as possible can have their say. 

Completing the Charter is only the first step of Time to Shine’s age friendly work. The next phase will be to take the Charter to businesses, organisations, and individuals who have a stake in making Leeds more age friendly, and support them in making the pledges. 

If you would like a printed copy of the Charter/Report, or if you would like to find out more about being age friendly, please get in touch with Emily: emily@opforum.org.uk or 0113 244 1697

Photos by Peter Howarth.