Age equality strategy introduced in city

A city is introducing a new strategy to promote age equality and ensure older people's views are heard.

Manchester City Council said it would examine the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and its significant impact on the wellbeing of over 50s.

Councillor Thomas Robinson described older residents as “the backbone” of Manchester and said the strategy was one of hope.

Age Friendly Manchester Older People’s Board said the city council's work was seen as "trailblazing".

Elaine Unegbu, who chairs Age Friendly Manchester Older People’s Board, praised how the city had been recognised worldwide for its "innovative approaches and inclusivity”.

The council's age-friendly campaigns include support groups for over 50s to learn employment skills and pension top-up schemes.

There are also plans to build 1,500 homes designed with age-friendly principles.

The council said the new strategy's key themes were age equality, services that support ageing, and promoting age-friendly work skills and neighbourhoods.

Mr Robinson said older residents were essential to "both our culture and resilience as a city".

"Older Mancunians are the backbone of this city," he added.

He said the strategy would aim to celebrate older people, with Manchester aiming to become the most age-friendly city in the country.