St Albans District achieves Age-friendly status
St Albans District has been declared as Age-friendly by a prestigious national organisation that promotes inclusion.
The UK Network of Age-friendly Communities has accredited the District after a successful application by St Albans City and District Council.
The District now joins 100 other local authority areas which are also part of the growing movement.
To be accepted as a member, the Council had to demonstrate its commitment to providing Age-friendly services and create a District where older people are well supported.
This includes initiatives to involve older people in Council activities and act on issues such as loneliness and social isolation.
Membership is conditional on the Council continuing to engage with older people as it has been doing by holding a series of Age-friendly events.
The three drop-in events, marking United Nations International Day of Older Persons, included one at the Alban Arean attended by more than 100 people on Wednesday 22 October.
The Council, Citizens Advice, Communities 1st, Age UK Herts and Herts Police were among the groups represented.
They were able to explain the services available to older people and give advice on crime prevention, health, well-being and other issues.
Free refreshments were provided by St Albans Old People’s Trust and there were opportunities to take part in digital skills sessions and seated yoga.
Among the visitors was the Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Teresa Heritage.
Councillor Sarwar Shamsher, Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said afterwards:
I am delighted that we have been recognised as an Age-friendly District, conditional upon us continuing with our engagement work.
As a Council, we work closely with other organisations such as Age UK Herts to look after the interests of our older residents and make sure their voice is heard.
Holding these drop-in events across the District shows we are committed to reach out to older people, engage with them and make them aware of the help and activities available to them.
Annie Stevenson, Age UK Herts’ Age-friendly ambassador for St Albans DIstrict, attended the Alban Arena event.
She said:
The Council has made a vital commitment to make our community a place to age well and access what we need. This will benefit people of all ages to reduce the scourge of isolation and loneliness.
As I approach my seventies, my fervent hope is that our community will respect and value all older people with our wonderful services reflecting that commitment. Join the ‘sages for all ages’ and sign up to Age-friendly St Albans District!
Everyone is welcome at the remaining two drop-in events which are being held at:
The Caledon Community Centre, London Colney, Monday 3 November, 10am to 2pm
Redbourn Village Hall, Thursday 13 November, 9.30am to 11.30am.
Representatives of Hertfordshire Health Improvement Services will be at the London Colney event.
They can book people in for a health check on Friday 14 November, when the NHS’s Better Health Bus will visit the community centre, or on some other date.
A report about the Council’s ambition to join the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities will be discussed at the Housing and Inclusion Committee on Monday 10 November.
More information about the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities, which is overseen by the Centre for Ageing Better, is available here.
More information about the Better Health Bus is available here.
If you are an older person living in the District and want to be involved in helping make the District Age-friendly by joining a forum, contact equality@stalbans.gov.uk or telephone 01727 819340.
Photos: Scenes from Age-friendly event at the Alban Arena.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council: 01727-919533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.