Age-Friendly Antrim and Newtownabbey aims to improve the quality of life for our residents and make the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey a better place to grow older.
We work with those 50 years and over and with partners across the public, private, community, and voluntary sectors to do this.
This plan sets out the eight themes of the Age-Friendly work and the actions under each theme.
TRANSPORTATION
OUTDOOR SPACES AND BUILDINGS
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND HEALTH SERVICES
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
HOUSING
SOCIAL PARTICIPATION
RESPECT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND EMPLOYMENT
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AGE-FRIENDLY?
An Age-Friendly world enables people of all ages to actively participate in community activities. It is a place where everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their age. It is a place that makes it easy to stay connected to those around you and those you love. It is a place that helps people stay healthy and active, even at the oldest ages, and it is a place that helps those who can no longer look after themselves to live with dignity and enjoyment.
Many cities and communities are already taking active steps towards becoming more Age-Friendly and signing up to the Age-Friendly Global Network. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has established a global network of AgeFriendly cities and communities that encourage active ageing by optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people grow older. The WHO has proposed eight domains that can help to identify and address barriers to the wellbeing and participation of people as they age.
Antrim and Newtownabbey became members of the World Health Organisations (WHO) Network of the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in October 2019. This affirmed the commitment to make Antrim and Newtownabbey a great place to grow old, enabling the inclusion of older persons to help make our Borough a more agefriendly place.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and its partners, are committed to the Age-Friendly agenda and will work through the Community Planning process to deliver this. A dedicated Age-Friendly Officer works as part of the Environmental Health – Health and Wellbeing team and will co-ordinate and assist in the delivery of actions under the Age-Friendly Three Year Action Plan.
OUTDOOR SPACES AND BUILDINGS
AIM
We will work to increase the infrastructure supporting the Age-Friendly community. We will look at increasing accessibility at public buildings and at our community spaces across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough.
The outside environment and public buildings have a major impact on mobility, independence and quality of life in later years. Having accessible buildings, walkable spaces, seating and public toilets all contribute to being AgeFriendly and can make a difference to people of all ages and abilities.
Actions:
• We will assess the accessibility of Council area facilities, public buildings and spaces to improve and review action plans to ensure increased accessibility.
• We will develop and promote more access to outdoor spaces for all ages, including the provision of benches, accessible paths with distance markers, Shopmobility aids and other essential facilities such as parking, seating and toilets.
• We will endeavour to create inviting, safe, inclusive environments free from littering and dog fouling, encouraging outdoor activities for all abilities.
• We will advocate for more inclusive, Age-Friendly events at venues and places of interest. Promoting venues to visit and schemes like the “Take a Seat” initiative among local businesses and organisations, raising awareness regarding the necessity for increased seating and inclusion opportunities.
Support partners who could help deliver these actions:
Antrim and Newtownabbey Council Departments, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Age NI Connect North Link Worker, Community Transport, Volunteer Centre, Chamber of Commerce, Shopmobility, TransLink, DfI and PSNI.
TRANSPORTATION
AIM
We will work with partners to ensure we improve transport options to create improved accessibility, equity and safety.
Transportation is a key issue for people as they age – the most frequent reasons for not utilising public transport for those over 65 are that it is not convenient and that it does not go where they want. Driving rates decrease with age and the need for better transport in Age-Friendly communities starts to become clear.
Actions:
• We will engage with residents who use public and community transport to discover current use and the barriers people face. We will develop a report on findings and engage with decisionmakers to maintain and improve current provision in line with report recommendations.
• We will engage with current transport providers that operate across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough to map out current provisions and to identify and encourage opportunities for improving the accessibility, affordability and ease of transport.
• We will regularly promote community transport, volunteer driver schemes and SMART passes, through a variety of means so residents are aware of all transport options available to them.
• We will promote and encourage uptake of Shopmobility services across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area by promoting the services available and hosting showcase events for people to come along and learn how the services work.
Support partners who could help deliver these actions:
TransLink, Community Transport, Shopmobility, Northern Health and Social Care Trust and Voluntary and Community organisations. Chambers of Commerce, DfI and PSNI.
HOUSING
AIM
We will work to ensure that people in later life can age comfortably and safely in their home and community.
Most people prefer to remain in the place they currently live for as long as possible. Housing and support allows people in later life to age comfortably and safely within their home and community.
Actions:
• We will work with key partners to maintain and promote existing services, such as heating, security, accessibility, and in-home support, that keep people safe and comfortable in their homes.
• We shall collaborate with partner organisations to maintain existing support services and create new innovative projects to help people live safely in their homes, i.e. explore minor adaptations and a care and repair service.
• We will provide a proactive Home Accident Prevention Service to reduce the potential for accidents occurring in the home for those aged 65 and over.
• We will identify and raise emerging housing issues with key decisionmakers to influence and encourage decisions to ensure that those in later life can maintain independence and stay in their home and community for as long as they choose to.
Support partners who could help deliver these actions:
Council Departments, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Department of Communities, Housing Associations, Supporting Communities, Consumer Council NI, Antrim and Newtownabbey Seniors Forum, Police Service of Northern Ireland, PCSP and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
SOCIAL PARTICIPATION
AIM
We will work to increase accessibility and opportunities for social participation and connection across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area.
Being able to stay connected with friends and family is essential for ageing well and social connection is strongly connected to good health and wellbeing throughout life.
Actions:
• We will highlight and promote current opportunities for social participation across the Borough through a range of approaches including the Age-Friendly “News for You” newsletter, the Council website and District Electoral Area specific activities.
• We will create a database of community and voluntary groups and identify areas with fewer social participation opportunities.
• We will work with local communities to support and encourage the maintenance and development of activities with transport options.
• We will work closely with the Antrim and Newtownabbey Seniors’ Forum, Antrim and Newtownabbey Loneliness Network and Libraries NI to provide opportunities across the Borough to connect with others and identify funding for such activities.
• We will investigate the possibility of developing and supporting the U3A activity model across the Borough, which creates opportunities for people 50+ to share information, keep learning, and connect with others.
Support partners who could help deliver these actions:
Council Departments, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Antrim and Newtownabbey Seniors’ Forum, Age NI Connect North Link Worker, U3A, and Voluntary and Community Groups.
RESPECT AND INCLUSION
AIM
We will work with our residents and service providers to ensure that older persons feel that they are valued, respected and can contribute to the Borough.
Feeling valued and respected is important for everyone, especially residents from all backgrounds.
Actions:
• We will coordinate Positive Ageing Month each year and promote activities and events widely to residents, highlighting the valuable contribution older persons make to our Borough.
• We will create an Age-Friendly 50+ group of individuals, listening to their voices, consulting and influencing policies, and co-producing on key priorities.
• We will create, in partnership, an intergenerational action plan that will develop intergenerational opportunities across the Borough.
• We will engage and work with statutory organisations as well as community, voluntary, businesses, and faith-based groups to develop and deliver a work programme that will have respect and social inclusion as its core aim.
Support partners who could help deliver these actions:
Council Departments, Antrim and Newtownabbey Seniors’ Forum, Business in the Community, COPNI, Age NI, Department of Finance (Digital Inclusion) Linking Generations NI, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, and Alzheimer’s Society.
CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND EMPLOYMENT
AIM
We will create options for people in later life to contribute their skills through employment or volunteering.
An Age-Friendly community offers opportunities for older individuals to give back and contribute. Opportunities in employment and volunteering can have a measurable positive impact on a person’s mental health and wellbeing, as well as finances and often these opportunities diminish with age.
Actions:
• We will work with economic development to support people who want to contribute or develop new employment in later life, supporting building confidence and Age-Friendly work environments.
• We will engage and work with businesses within the Borough to assist and encourage them to prioritise Age-Friendly planning and retention of older workforce members by assisting with the provision of training, mid-life planning and policies to support roles.
• We will provide opportunities to ensure individuals can access the benefits and support they need for financial wellbeing through engagement with local community advice services and the promotion of regional services and provision.
• We will work with Volunteer Now and other organisations and groups – both regionally and Borough-specific to ensure that volunteering opportunities are promoted and supported.
Support partners who could help deliver these actions:
Age NI, Business in the Community, Community Centres, Libraries NI, Council departments, Compassionate Communities, Labour Market Partnerships, The Volunteer Centre and Enterprise Centres.
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
AIM
We will create a communications strategy that will ensure regular communication around issues that are important to older people.
Staying connected with people and events, as well as receiving timely, accessible and practical information to manage life and meet personal needs is vital for active ageing.
Actions:
• We will create and issue four editions of the “News for You” AgeFriendly publication for Antrim and Newtownabbey, print and have copies available at community venues and digital copies available on the Council website.
• We will run digital training programmes across the Borough to help people in later life increase their knowledge and skills in digital technology.
• We will have a dedicated Age-Friendly webpage on the Antrim and Newtownabbey Council website, which is reviewed and updated regularly (updates, progress on action plan, useful contacts, links to relevant groups and services).
• We will create and maintain an Age-Friendly Geographic Information System (G.I.S) map highlighting Age-Friendly assets throughout the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey. This tool will help older residents discover available resources in the Borough and assist strategic partners in mapping services and identifying gaps in Age-Friendly provisions that need to be addressed.
Support partners who could help deliver these actions:
PSNI, Age NI, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, NACN, Community Ambassadors and ANSF, Age-Friendly Co-ordinator and older people’s groups.
COMMUNITY AND HEALTH SERVICES
AIM
We will help people stay well and feel good for longer by ensuring appropriate services are available, and individuals can connect and utilise these services to live healthy and full lives.
As the older population grows in size the need for health services and support within the community grows too. Accessible and affordable health care services, coupled with community support, is strongly connected to good health and wellbeing throughout life.
Actions:
• We will maintain and promote current programmes and services encouraging active lifestyles, such as the Steady and Strong, the MacMillan Move More, Nordic walking groups, Singing for Health, and many other initiatives from statutory, private, and community health providers.
• We will share information on health and wellbeing issues and relevant services throughout the year using various approaches.
• We will run health and wellbeing interventions and initiatives on good nutrition and hydration, movement, swimming, social connections, community resuscitation and end-of-life care, planning and support.
• We will identify and promote positive mental wellbeing interventions such as the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing, Age NI Good Vibrations and Move More Live More.
Support partners who could help deliver these actions:
PSNI, Age NI, Linking Generations NI, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, NACN, DeafBlind NI, Community Health Connectors, Loneliness Network, Community Ambassadors and ANSF, Age-Friendly Co-ordinator, Sport NI, older people’s groups, Community Health Connectors, Connect North Link Works, Community Ambassadors, PHA and private agencies.
IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE
Antrim and Newtownabbey Community Planning Partnership
An extended action plan contains targets and identifies the lead partner from the Age-Friendly strategic partnership. Information will be collected from lead partners on a regular basis and collated to measure the impact of the action plan. Regular monitoring of the actions will be completed using the Outcomes Based Accountability (OBA) Approach. Report cards on progress under each action will be developed and these will be published on the Council website to ensure full transparency.
It is important that we ask ourselves three questions:
1. How much did we do?
2. Was the work of excellent quality?
3. Is anyone better off?
A progress report will be shared at the Age-Friendly Strategic Partnership as well as with the Community Planning partnership.
The Age-Friendly Action Plan will be scheduled to be reviewed annually, however actions can be updated throughout the year if deemed necessary by the Age-Friendly partnership and the People subgroup of the community plan.
