A community space which opened a year ago in the centre of
Swansea centre is now helping the city's older people to stay
connected, active and engaged in their communities.
Social Care Minister visited the Collaboration
Station in Swansea yesterday to see first-hand how the Welsh
Government's Age Friendly Communities Grant is helping older
people.
A wide range of weekly activities for people aged 50 and
over are on offer at the hub, including Tai Chi, Tech Tuesday
digital skills sessions, LGBTQ+ coffee mornings, social walks and
community events. These activities are designed to tackle
loneliness and isolation, but they also support healthy ageing,
offer opportunities to learn new skills and provide access to
vital information and advice.
The activities have been developed in close partnership with
older people, reflecting the Welsh Government's commitment to
working with communities, not just for them.
There are also daily “Ageing Well” sessions on offer, attended by
officers, service leads and partner organisations to help older
people make trusted connections with services and support they
may need - putting in practice a preventative and early help
approach.
Speaking following the visit, said:
"What I saw today at the Collaboration Station shows exactly what
age-friendly communities look like in practice. Older people here
aren't just benefiting from services — they're shaping them.
That's the standard we want to see right across Wales."
Wales has invested £3.8 million since 2021 to support
age-friendly communities, with 12 local authorities now members
of the World Health Organisation's Global Network of Age-Friendly
Cities and Communities. Swansea is on track to join them.
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.
Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Community Support, Hayley
Gwilliam, said:
“Every week well over 500 people are attending Ageing Well events
in Swansea from our hugely popular walking groups, bowling,
singing or just coming together for a chat and a cup of tea.
“I was delighted to welcome the Minister to the Collaboration
Station where service users explained to us how these activities
are making a real difference to many older people by tackling
isolation and creating new friendships.”
