Helping Dorset age well – a blog by Cllr Steve Robinson

As a member of Dorset Council’s Cabinet and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, I am immensely proud of the progress we are making towards becoming a truly age-friendly county. This is not simply another initiative or programme. For me, it is a long-term commitment to creating a Dorset where people can enjoy healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives as they grow older, remaining active, independent and connected to their communities for as long as possible.

Dorset has one of the oldest populations in the country, and that presents both challenges and opportunities. I firmly believe that ageing should be viewed not as a problem to be managed but as an achievement to be celebrated. The question for all of us is how we create the conditions that allow people to flourish in later life, maintaining our physical health, emotional wellbeing and sense of purpose.

I have been particularly encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by our towns and parish councils, many of which have already committed themselves to leading the way in becoming age-friendly communities. Across Dorset, local councils, voluntary organisations, businesses and residents are working together to identify barriers and develop practical solutions that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable for older people.

A recent presentation from Gillingham demonstrated just how much can be achieved when a community embraces the age-friendly agenda. The work taking place there is a powerful example of local leadership in action, bringing together partners to improve accessibility, increase opportunities for social connection and ensure that the voices of older residents are heard and acted upon. The lessons emerging from Gillingham and other pioneering communities have an important role to play in shaping Dorset’s future.

One of the most encouraging signs of progress has been the growth of our Age-Friendly Ambassador network. We now have 108 ambassadors, and that number continues to increase every week. These ambassadors are helping to spread awareness, encourage participation and inspire change within their own communities. They are proving that creating an age-friendly county is not solely the responsibility of public services. It is a movement driven by local people who care deeply about the places in which they live.

My vision is admittedly ambitious, but entirely achievable. I want Dorset to become a place where preparing for a healthy later life is regarded as naturally as preparing financially for retirement. Most people understand the importance of saving (or investing) for the future, yet too few of us give the same attention to maintaining strength, fitness, mobility and emotional resilience as they age. By helping people adopt healthy habits earlier in life, stay active, build social connections and access support when needed, we can significantly improve quality of life in later years.

Ultimately, my aspiration is that Dorset becomes a county where fewer people need to rely on formal adult social care in later life because they have been supported to remain physically strong, emotionally resilient and socially connected. I want people to live in communities that are accessible, welcoming and inclusive, where public spaces, transport, housing and local services enable independence rather than limit it.

This is a vision that benefits everyone, regardless of age. By creating age-friendly communities, we create better communities for all. Through continued collaboration, strong local leadership and the growing commitment of our ambassadors and communities, I am confident that Dorset can become a national leader in helping people age well and enjoy later life to the fullest.