On 11 June almost a hundred people came together for a day of constructive interactive collaboration and planning organised by Ambition for Ageing under the theme of 'Age Friendly Communities in Practice.’

Tables representing the ten Greater Manchester boroughs shared their thinking on best practice examples of age friendliness in action. Delegates were then invited to vote not only for their region’s best ideas, but also for their top three favourites out of the entire room.

In between table working sessions, presentations were given by Pam Smith (CEO Stockport Council and GM Lead for Ageing), Chris Phillipson (Professor of Sociology & Social Gerontology at MICRA), Mark Hammond (Research Associate at Manchester School of Architecture), Nicola Shore (Engagement and Wellbeing Service Manager at Age UK Oldham), John Hannen (Programme Manager for Ambition for Ageing) and Paul McGarry (Head of GM Ageing Hub).

The response to the day was extremely positive, with many candidates calling for regular follow up sessions of a similar nature. Several took to Twitter to share their enthusiasm for the comprehensive mapping and planning exercises undertaken.

As a result of the event and working closely with GMCA, Ambition for Ageing is currently compiling a collection of case studies illustrating interesting and innovative example of age-friendly community engagement in action. This will be circulated and published on our website in due course.

Ambition for Ageing continues to work closely in each area with local development leads, local authority ageing leads and other key contacts to develop a GM Age-friendly framework.