MS, Minister for Children and
Social Care: The Strategy for an Ageing
Society sets out our vision to make Wales an age-friendly
nation that supports people to live and age well. To turn this
vision into a reality, since 2021, Welsh Government has invested
£3.8 million to fund a dedicated post in each local authority to
champion age-friendly communities and gain membership of WHO's
Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities.
I work in partnership with the Older People's Commissioner to
support local authorities to join the WHO Network. 12 local
authorities have successfully gained membership and another 5
plan to apply by 31 March 2026. The remaining 5 local authorities
are working hard to satisfy the robust criteria for application.
Membership of the WHO Network has provided local authorities with
a clear and structured way to re-evaluate services for older
people, understand where improvements are needed and make sure
age‑friendly principles are built into everyday practice. Even
for those not yet members, the application process is encouraging
collaboration across a range of sectors and critical
reflection.
A recent evaluation shows that Welsh Government's investment has
acted as a catalyst for local authorities to transform their
approach to creating age-friendly communities by investing in
people and partnerships. Local authorities have unlocked the
capacity of both their own staff and external stakeholders to
work together in new ways. The recurring result is more cohesive
planning and delivery of services for older adults, greater
inclusion of older people's voices and numerous collaborative
initiatives – from very practical service improvements to
creative community programmes.
As just one example, yesterday I visited the Swansea
Collaboration Station which is supported by an age-friendly
coordinator. The station is a community engagement space that
offers a range of activities aimed at improving both physical and
mental well-being. Whilst the initiative is facilitated by staff,
it has always been led and developed in close collaboration with
people aged 50 and over in Swansea. Listening to and learning
from those who attend the engagement sessions has been central to
its success.
The programme illustrates how age‑friendly funding has helped
create a stronger culture of working with older people,
not just for them. Local authorities are taking on a
more enabling role by supporting older people's groups to apply
for funding, run their organisations or build skills and
confidence. Volunteering has become an important part of this
work, giving older people more chances to meet others, stay
active and contribute to their communities.
Older people are now more involved in designing and leading local
activities and their ideas are shaping what happens in their
local communities.
While challenges remain, the overall picture is strongly
positive. Across Wales, there is a shared commitment to
celebrating older people's contributions and building communities
that enable everyone to age well.
The Welsh model of a cross-cutting strategy for an ageing
society, an Older People's Commissioner and dedicated financial
support for local authorities to support age-friendly communities
has been cited by the WHO as an example of international good
practice.
Wales is firmly on the path to becoming an age‑friendly nation,
and this programme has played a central role in making that
ambition a reality.
