Age Friendly Communities Bridgend

Bridgend is dedicated to becoming an Age Friendly Community; a region where aging is celebrated and every resident can lead a fulfilling, independent life. Following the World Health Organization (WHO) framework, our strategy focuses on eight core areas to ensure Bridgend is an inclusive place for all generations.

The Eight Pillars of Our Age Friendly Strategy

We use these eight domains as a lens to evaluate and improve our local environment:

1. Public Spaces & Infrastructure: Creating accessible parks and buildings so everyone can move safely through our towns.
2. Accessible Transport: Ensuring reliable and affordable travel options exist for those who do not drive, connecting them to essential services and loved ones.
3. Adaptable Housing: Supporting home modifications and varied housing choices that allow residents to stay in their own homes as their needs change.
4. Inclusive Social Opportunities: Developing diverse activities that prevent isolation and bring people together across all ages.
5. Dignity & Social Inclusion: Actively challenging age-based stereotypes to ensure older residents are respected and integrated into community life.
6. Employment & Civic Engagement: Valuing the experience of older people by supporting continued workforce participation, volunteering, and local decision-making.
7. Effective Communication: Guaranteeing that vital information is available in multiple formats, including non-digital options, so no one is left behind.
8. Integrated Health & Community Support: Providing high-quality, local care and wellness programs, such as our “Super Agers” initiative, to maintain physical and emotional health.

Global Collaboration

Bridgend is applying to become a member of the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities. This partnership allows us to:

• Adopt Best Practices: Learn from successful age-friendly initiatives worldwide and adapt them for our local wards.

• Strategic Planning: Use the four-step WHO cycle—engage, plan, implement, and evaluate—to measure our progress.

All with the aim of improving the lives of older people across Bridgend.