Understanding the Vision: A Commitment to Age-Friendly Communities
The Healthy Ageing Strategy Buckinghamshire is not merely a plan but a long-term commitment by the council to improve the quality of life for its older residents and people approaching later life. It is a priority within the broader Buckinghamshire Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and is developed in partnership with the Age Friendly Bucks Partnership, which includes various multi-agency and resident representatives. The strategy is directly inspired by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) global framework for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, which proposes eight interconnected domains to identify and address barriers to wellbeing for older people. By applying this framework, the strategy seeks to create a supportive environment where all residents can thrive as they age.
The Seven Pillars of Buckinghamshire's Strategy
Buckinghamshire has adopted seven key themes from the WHO framework to focus its efforts. These pillars represent the core areas of intervention and improvement and are central to how the strategy is implemented and measured. The strategy's success depends on collaborative action across the council, health services, and the voluntary sector to address these areas holistically. They include:
- Outdoor Spaces and Buildings: This theme focuses on creating high-quality, accessible, and social public spaces that are safe and help people move around independently. Examples include improving street walkability, reducing pavement parking, and providing warm, welcoming community spaces.
- Transport: The strategy aims to promote accessible, affordable, and appropriate travel options to ensure residents can access the services and social activities they need. This includes supporting age-friendly travel schemes.
- Housing: Efforts are concentrated on supporting the development and improvement of housing options where people can live safely and comfortably, which is linked to better physical and mental health. The use of 'age well' design codes in new builds is one example of this.
- Participating in Society: The goal is to reduce and remove barriers that prevent older residents from engaging with activities and events. A key initiative is ensuring access to public facilities like toilets, which gives people the confidence to leave their homes.
- Volunteering and Employment: The strategy explores how to support older adults in remaining economically active or engaging in volunteering opportunities, addressing the falling rates of employment in this demographic.
- Communication and Information: This involves developing positive and accessible communication campaigns that challenge negative stereotypes of ageing. A local, inclusive communications approach ensures information reaches all parts of the community effectively.
- Community Support for Health and Wellbeing: This theme focuses on strengthening community health and wellbeing and supporting the network of community-based groups. Initiatives such as the Healthy Libraries framework are examples of this.
Implementation and Action: The Path Forward
The strategy is not a static document but is underpinned by an annual action plan. For the first year (2024-2029), the focus was specifically on outdoor spaces and buildings, and participating in society, based on resident feedback. The council continues to engage with residents through platforms like Your Voice Bucks to set priorities for subsequent years and ensure the strategy evolves to meet the community's changing needs. The progress of the action plan is regularly monitored and reviewed by the Health and Wellbeing Board.
Comparison: Traditional Care vs. Age-Friendly Community
| Feature | Traditional Care Model | Healthy Ageing (Age-Friendly) Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Primarily reactive; providing support after needs arise. | Proactive; preventing illness, empowering communities, and promoting independence. |
| Scope | Often limited to clinical care and basic social services. | Holistic, addressing wider determinants of health like housing, transport, and social inclusion. |
| Community Role | Older adults are passive recipients of care. | Older adults are active participants in shaping services and community life. |
| Environment | Ignores or reacts to environmental barriers. | Actively modifies outdoor spaces and infrastructure to be accessible and supportive. |
| Partnerships | Often fragmented between different health and social services. | Multi-agency approach, with collaboration across the council, NHS, and voluntary sector. |
Practical Support and Engagement for Residents
Buckinghamshire residents can access a wide range of support services aligned with the strategy's goals. Organisations like Age UK Buckinghamshire provide befriending services to combat loneliness and welfare benefits advice to ensure financial security. Buckinghamshire Council's Adult Social Care services offer assessments for those needing personal or practical support. For transport, the Community Transport Hub offers alternative options, while the Home Library Service helps those with mobility issues. Residents are actively encouraged to contribute their views on ageing well via the Your Voice Bucks platform, which is crucial for shaping future priorities.
The strategy is a dynamic and evidence-informed approach that builds on collaboration across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. It aims to empower residents and create a sustainable, supportive environment for generations to come, ensuring Buckinghamshire is a place where everyone can live a healthy and independent life as they age. For more information, including a link to the strategy, visit the Age Friendly Communities page on the Buckinghamshire Council website.
Conclusion
The Healthy Ageing Strategy Buckinghamshire represents a significant and collaborative effort to fundamentally improve life for older residents. By moving beyond traditional care models towards a holistic, age-friendly community approach, it addresses multiple aspects of wellbeing—from accessible physical spaces to social inclusion and community support. By continuously engaging with residents and focusing on evidence-based action, Buckinghamshire Council and its partners are building a county where all residents can age well and with dignity.
