Ageing

Annual reports

Celebrating Ageing in Place Pathfinder

On 17 September, 100 people came together at Stretford Public Hall with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to celebrate the Ageing in Place Pathfinder. A short film from the event shows why this work matters for Greater Manchester’s Live Well plans.

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Video transcript

We want to build an age-friendly Greater Manchester, and we know that to achieve that goal, we have to rethink how we support older people in their communities. The Ageing in Place Pathfinder was a three-year programme working in specific locations across Greater Manchester to truly understand what supports older people, what they want to see more of, and how we can empower communities and voluntary organisations to deliver that support day after day.

It’s really important because it’s about recognising that we are an ageing community. Older people are a central part of the economy and have so much valuable contribution to make. We’re all about making older people’s voices front and centre. The Pathfinder has demonstrated the potential of place-based, whole system public health projects and the value of involving local communities in deciding what happens in their own neighbourhoods. Every Pathfinder has identified different needs and issues for their local community and older residents. It’s not a one size fits all approach. What we’re doing is listening to what older people are telling us and responding to that.

They’re now used to their voices being heard. They’re bringing their own agenda items, they’re wanting to vote on things, and that sense of community power is much greater now. Let’s keep talking about older people, let’s keep them at the top of the agenda for sustainability and for creating healthier, happier lives. Once we get these initiatives in place, ageing in place, please don’t pull the rug from under us. Help us keep these things going because they’re great groups.

The Pathfinder has been invaluable, and all of the learning from it will now inform our new successor programme, Live Well in Later Life. We’ll be taking this learning and working with local authorities, the NHS, housing organisations, and older people’s organisations to build on what’s been achieved and plan the next phase. The outcomes and success of the Ageing in Place Pathfinder are truly inspiring, and it all comes back to trust. If you trust people and trust communities, they know what they need and what’s right for them, and big changes come as a result of that. We’ll continue this approach as we build Live Well in Later Life because that’s how you unlock the greatest benefit for everyone.

What is the Pathfinder?

For the past three years, the Pathfinder has tested new ways to support older people in their communities. The Ageing Hub, Manchester Metropolitan University and nine local lead organisations worked with older residents to build connections and improve quality of life.

The project focused on areas where older people are more likely to feel lonely or face health and money problems. By listening to older people and building on local strengths, the Pathfinder has:

Reached over 3,000 people aged 50 and over
Started 140 local projects and activities
Involved 86 residents and 89 organisations in partnership boards
Trained 19 residents in community reporting

What did we learn?

At the final event, residents and organisations shared their stories. They showed how trust and strong relationships have been key to success. Early findings from Manchester Metropolitan University confirm that working with older people in this way improves health, social contact and community pride.

Looking ahead

Mayor Andy Burnham joined a panel with residents, Pathfinder leads and a local GP. They called for:

Ongoing support to reach and connect people
Building trust by keeping promises
Dedicated community spaces, like Live Well hubs
Stronger links with health professionals

The learning will now shape Greater Manchester’s Live Well in Later Life plans. By 2030 the aim is to:

Involve older people in designing Live Well centres and activities
Make centres age friendly with support such as financial advice
Give all older people access to local spaces and activities that build social connection

Next steps

The final report from the Ageing in Place Pathfinder will be published in autumn 2025, along with further evaluation findings and stories from the Pathfinders that can be shared to support similar work elsewhere. The Ageing Hub will also publish the Live Well in Later Life Blueprint soon and will work with councils and local partners to create a delivery plan, supported by local Live Well teams.

2022-2024 Celebrating two years of the Ageing in Place Pathfinder, 2022-2024 (PDF, 9.80 MB)

2022-2023 Ageing in Place Pathfinder: Annual Report Year 1 (2022-2023) (PDF, 1.85MB)

These documents act as a learning resource as part of our ambitions to both sustain the programme and scale across further neighbourhoods going forward, with support from Pathfinder leads and stakeholders across Greater Manchester and locally.

Ageing in Place Pathfinder event 2024

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Article Published: 28/06/2024 09:43 AM