Age Friendly Summit focuses on more inclusive place for older people

Pictured above at the Age Friendly Futures Summit in Belfast this week are Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris, Sabrina Moore, Developing Healthy Cities, Bronagh Cooper, WHSCT, Martin Duffy, Chair of Age Friendly Alliance for DCSDC, Leslie Herington and Mary Scally, Members of the Over 50’s Reference Group, and Pauline O’Neill, Age Friendly Co-ordinator, DCSDC.

Senior decision-makers and representatives from across government, community, and voluntary sectors gathered this week at the Age Friendly Futures Summit, held in the Titanic Conference Centre, Belfast.

The Summit, which was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris, and Council’s Age Friendly Officer Pauline O’Neill, aimed to strengthen collaboration and strategic direction to ensure local communities are more inclusive, supportive, and responsive to the needs of older people.

The event centred around the three key objectives of raising awareness of Age Friendly Northern Ireland, influencing policy direction and change, and setting the direction of travel for Age Friendly NI.

The summit explored the core elements that make up an Age Friendly Community, and delegates heard from a range of speakers and took part in discussions highlighting the progress being made across all 11 councils, sharing good practice, and reviewing the findings from the latest Age Friendly evaluation.

A key focus was placed on the importance of planning appropriately for an ageing society, ensuring that older citizens can live well, participate fully, and remain connected within their communities.

Speaking after the event, Alderman McMorris said: “The Age Friendly Futures Summit provides a vital opportunity for partners to come together to share ideas and strengthen our collective approach to creating communities where people of all ages can thrive.

“As we look to the future, it’s essential that we plan effectively for an ageing population, ensuring our towns, cities, and rural areas are places where older people feel valued, included, and supported to live full and active lives.”

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The Summit marks an important milestone in the ongoing development of Age Friendly Northern Ireland, reinforcing a shared commitment to making the region one of the best places in the world to grow older.