Whilst early project proposals were primarily driven by service providers, there are emergent signs that the resident-led aspect of the MAFN approach is being adopted.

One such example is Dunstan’s Court sheltered housing scheme. A scheme manager had previously organised the social activities in the centre, but understanding the requirements for resident-led proposals she asked a number of her regular residents if they wanted to participate in designing a programme of activities for the next year. She helped them establish a resident board, who now meet to develop a series of monthly events with different themes and activities, and argued that they wanted to open these activities open to the wider community where possible.

The board put forward a proposal for twelve informal events over a one year period led by the residents, including Summer holidays party/reminiscence event, Back to School ‘disco’, and Fireworks themed craft session.

The scheme manager noted that she was initially apprehensive about including her residents because she was used to doing thing herself, but now recognises what her residents bought to the table and the new ideas and perspectives they were able to offer and their willingness to take part in making their ideas a reality.

This new understanding of older people as social agents in their own right rather than as consumers of activities and services is a vital transition in the realisation of an age-friendly neighbourhood.