South Ayrshire launch their Ageing Well Social Movement

The new South Ayrshire Ageing Well Strategy and Action Plan was officially launched on Tuesday 10 September at an event at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr. South Ayrshire have been working with communities to help tackle the issues associated with the area's ageing population, which is the fastest in Scotland.

This event was an opportunity to bring together key people who helped develop the strategy which kick starts this social movement, including members of staff from community planning, subject experts from across Scotland, as well as community members who have played an active role in both developing and reviewing the planned actions being taken forward.

Councillor Julie Dettbarn, Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership Board said, "It is great to see the launch of our new Ageing Well Strategy, the strategy absolutely aims to celebrate the contributions that older people make to their communities - often the unsung childcare providers, informal carers and volunteers.

"The strategy and action plan are a breath of fresh air, recognising opportunities as well as challenges. This strategy is the start of our ageing well social movement which will be implemented and nurtured for many years to come."

As well as launching the strategy, guests were also treated to the premiere of a new play, which was co-produced with members of the public over 50 years of age who live in South Ayrshire. This play explores the realities of stigma associated with being older and the connections which can be made between generations when these stigmas are set aside.

Over the last year, the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA) have led on the development of this strategy, with support from the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership. The journey began when South Ayrshire become one of Scotland's first Age-Friendly Communities, a growing social movement led by the World Health Organisation.

Marie Oliver, CEO of Voluntary Action South Ayrshire said, "One of the biggest steps we have made in our Ageing Well journey has been the introduction of our Ageing Well Champions Boards. These boards are an opportunity for local people to really have their say in shaping our communities going forward. With three boards established across South Ayrshire with over 150 members, all residents over the age of 50 are encouraged to get involved."

An initial launch of the strategy was revealed in the summer to start the official consultation period. The action plan for the strategy was developed in line with the responses received during this consultation period.

One Champions Board member said, "I'm happy to belong to the Ageing Well Champions Board, being asked our opinions, hearing of new things and being part of decisions for older people not only for the short term but long term planning of things to make the lives of older people better for them and all the community too."

The new Ageing Well Strategy, as well as other linked pieces of work, can now be viewed on the Ageing Well website pages provided by the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.