Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole have a higher number of older adults than the national average, and this age group is growing faster than any other. 2021 Census data shows that the population of those aged 55-59 increased by 27.3%, while 70-74-year-olds increased by 39.5%.

This is why a dedicated group of partners has united to make our community more age-friendly. We recognise that promoting healthy aging and improving accessibility can benefit everyone, including future generations.

We are signed up to the Centre for Ageing Better's UK Network of Age Friendly Communities. They provide an accessible video explaining the idea of an age friendly community.

We also aim to become recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and join their Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

Our Age Friendly Community vision

Our vision is that Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be an age friendly place to live, work and visit.

Our three priorities for 2023 through to 2025 are:

• engage with older adults and our partners
• enable older adults to socially participate and connect with their communities
• work with local employers on age friendly practice

We have developed an Age Friendly Community action plan alongside our partners, based in part on the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Age-friendly Cities Network, and their 8 key areas for consideration. This plan covers our key aims up to April 2025.

Find out about our Age Friendly Community partners

If you want to keep up to date with our plans, you can subscribe to our Age Friendly Community email newsletter.

We'll also update this page with our latest progress reports as they are produced. Our initial summary report highlights our first actions, findings and meetings alongside the programme's partners.

Independent Age's advice guides, factsheets and leaflets page provides many helpful resources for older adults, their families and carers. Independent Age is a charity providing support for older people facing financial hardship.