Building Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester: evidence from the Ambition for Ageing programme

A key concept in the ageing policy agenda is that of ‘ageing in place’. If older people are to do this successfully, age-friendly neighbourhoods are essential to ensure local environments remain inclusive and accessible to people as they move through the life course. Previous literature has indicated that older people are at increased risk of neighbourhood exclusion due to a variety of factors. Ageing in place is not simply about the physical environment: the concepts of home and place are also made up of interconnecting social and symbolic meanings. This risk of neighbourhood exclusion highlights the importance of involving older people in the creation and design of age-friendly communities. This report uses research and learning gathered from the programme to provide insight into what older people across Greater Manchester think makes a neighbourhood age-friendly.