Age Friendly Dorset ambassadors celebrate a year of progress

More than 60 Age Friendly Dorset ambassadors and supporters have come together to celebrate helping make Dorset a better place to grow older.

The event at Charlton Down gave ambassadors the chance to connect, share ideas and contribute to future action. Attendees heard from Age Friendly Dorset programme lead Sarah Parsons, the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Michael Dooley, Dorset Council's Adult Social Care portfolio lead Councillor Steve Robinson, and Rachel Woodward Carrick, author of Happy Silver People.

Over the past 12 months, more than 700 people have responded to the Age Friendly Dorset survey. Their ideas have helped inform a three-year action plan for 2026-2029, with priorities including better access to information and services, stronger community connections, digital inclusion, transport and housing awareness, accessible environments and greater opportunities for older people to influence decisions.

Cllr Robinson said: "Age Friendly Dorset is more than a council project. It is a movement that communities across Dorset can be part of.

“By bringing generations together, listening to older residents and turning their ideas into practical action, we can help create places where people are supported, connected and valued as they grow older."

With nearly one in three people in Dorset aged over 65, compared with around one in five nationally, supporting people to age well is especially important. Older people make an enormous contribution to Dorset’s communities, including through volunteering, while younger and older generations have so much to offer to one another. Strong connections between people, place, health and community benefit the whole community, speakers stressed.

Ambassadors also took part in activities to identify ways that local action already supports older residents. Work already under way includes a framework for Age Friendly Towns and Parishes, an Ageing without Children project with Help and Kindness, and established working and reference groups.

The celebration was sponsored by Age UK North, South and West Dorset and Ridgewater Energy, with support from stakeholders from the Age Friendly working group. Their support, alongside the contribution of ambassadors and partners, is helping to shape age-friendly initiatives across the county.