Councillor Steve Robinson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.
Dorset is on a journey to become an age friendly county, and we want you to be a part of it.
Imagine a Dorset where growing older means living better, where every generation, disability or background enjoys life as we age.
We know that Dorset is one of the oldest demographics in the UK.
Currently, 1 in 3 people here are aged 65 or over. That's 30% compared to only 19% in England and Wales. The average age of a person in Dorset is 52, with the UK average being 40. And that's why it's so important that older adults are at the heart of this movement.
The work of an Age-friendly Community is divided into eight domains.
These are:
Outdoor spaces and buildings are places that help us enjoy where we live, participate in community life, and stay healthy and connected.
Transport is key to getting us to where we need to go whether for work, shopping, socialising, attending a health appointment or just being out in the world.
Housing that can help to maintain or even improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, as well as support independence well into later life.
And social participation, including leisure, cultural and social activities in the community. These create opportunities for everyone to connect, to belong and to thrive.
Respect and social inclusion to challenge ageism and celebrate the contributions of older people.
And civic participation and employment, these enable people to work, to volunteer, and to stay involved for as long as they wish.
Communication and information is essential to make sure that everyone has access to the information that they need, when they need it.
And community support and health services to provide the right support at the right time, in the right place, and to promote the prevention of ill health before it starts.
All of our work is going to be shaped by these eight priorities.
But first, we want to hear from you.
So we're reaching out across Dorset to listen to older people's experiences – what's working, what could be better, and what do we want for the future.
And it's your voice that will help shape a countywide action plan, guiding our next steps as we become an Age-friendly Community.
There are lots of ways to get involved through surveys, local conversations, sharing your story, and helping to grow our network.
We see Dorset as a place where growing older means living well at any age and any level of ability, and where every generation feels valued and connected.