Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care
The Strategy for an Ageing Society sets out our vision to make Wales an age-friendly nation that supports people to live and age well. To turn this vision into a reality, since 2021, Welsh Government has invested £3.8 million to fund a dedicated post in each local authority to champion age-friendly communities and gain membership of WHO’s Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities.
I work in partnership with the Older People’s Commissioner to support local authorities to join the WHO Network. 12 local authorities have successfully gained membership and another 5 plan to apply by 31 March 2026. The remaining 5 local authorities are working hard to satisfy the robust criteria for application.
Membership of the WHO Network has provided local authorities with a clear and structured way to re-evaluate services for older people, understand where improvements are needed and make sure age‑friendly principles are built into everyday practice. Even for those not yet members, the application process is encouraging collaboration across a range of sectors and critical reflection.
A recent evaluation shows that Welsh Government’s investment has acted as a catalyst for local authorities to transform their approach to creating age-friendly communities by investing in people and partnerships. Local authorities have unlocked the capacity of both their own staff and external stakeholders to work together in new ways. The recurring result is more cohesive planning and delivery of services for older adults, greater inclusion of older people’s voices and numerous collaborative initiatives – from very practical service improvements to creative community programmes.
As just one example, yesterday I visited the Swansea Collaboration Station which is supported by an age-friendly coordinator. The station is a community engagement space that offers a range of activities aimed at improving both physical and mental well-being. Whilst the initiative is facilitated by staff, it has always been led and developed in close collaboration with people aged 50 and over in Swansea. Listening to and learning from those who attend the engagement sessions has been central to its success.
The programme illustrates how age‑friendly funding has helped create a stronger culture of working with older people, not just for them. Local authorities are taking on a more enabling role by supporting older people’s groups to apply for funding, run their organisations or build skills and confidence. Volunteering has become an important part of this work, giving older people more chances to meet others, stay active and contribute to their communities.
Older people are now more involved in designing and leading local activities and their ideas are shaping what happens in their local communities.
While challenges remain, the overall picture is strongly positive. Across Wales, there is a shared commitment to celebrating older people’s contributions and building communities that enable everyone to age well.
The Welsh model of a cross-cutting strategy for an ageing society, an Older People’s Commissioner and dedicated financial support for local authorities to support age-friendly communities has been cited by the WHO as an example of international good practice.
Wales is firmly on the path to becoming an age‑friendly nation, and this programme has played a central role in making that ambition a reality.