Celebrating the integral role of older people within our communities
Older Londoners make an invaluable contribution to our city, as volunteers, workers, carers, and neighbours. This year’s International Day of Older People is about recognising and celebrating the integral role of older people within our communities.
It was my pleasure to do just that in Islington and meet with older residents putting themselves at the heart of neighbourhoods. Across the globe, we mark this day each year to raise awareness of opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations.
The Mayor and I are committed to making sure London is one of the greatest cities in the world to grow old. We are fully committed to delivering the Mayor’s plan to make London more age-friendly.
This includes:
- raising awareness of pension credit
- supporting older Londoners on low incomes
- funding older-people led housing through the Community Housing Fund
- supporting the provision of accessible public toilets
- initiatives to enable more older Londoners to be digitally included and strengthen their civic participation
But we recognise that to make these ambitions for older Londoners a reality, we need to work together with partners, including London boroughs. Islington Council is marking the day by demonstrating its commitment to making the borough more age-friendly, by announcing that it has become the ninth of London’s 32 boroughs to be recognised as a member of the global network of age-friendly cities and communities.
It was a real pleasure to visit St Luke’s Community Centre in Islington, one of the many places across the city hosting activities to celebrate older Londoners. I spoke with council leaders, charities, and residents about how to make age-friendly communities work for all.
Islington Council leaders told me that they want Islington to be recognised by its residents as an age-friendly borough - a welcoming place to grow old and age well. The borough is working with Age UK Islington and wider partners to ensure the age-friendly programme is rooted in what matters most to residents.
It was inspiring to hear from older residents like Sue Beveridge, who is not only a carer for her mum but also volunteers at Bridgeside Lodge. She facilitates a support group for relatives who have a loved one in the care system and successfully secured funding for improving the garden at the Lodge. Being involved in these initiatives helped her own well-being and gave her satisfaction from putting something back into a community that helped her and her beloved mum. Like Sue, so many older people across the city are integral to local communities.
Nine London boroughs have now made commitments to become age friendly and I urge others to follow in the steps of Islington. By working together, we can build a better London for everyone, ensuring it is a city where older Londoners feel supported and valued - wherever they live.
So, let’s join together as Londoners to celebrate the contribution of older people in making London one of the greatest, most vibrant cities in the world.
Deputy Mayor, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard