Group of older people at a gym session
Older people will take centre stage this week as Manchester marks the UN International Day of Older Persons on Wednesday 1 October with the launch of a groundbreaking set of Age Friendly Leisure Stand
Manchester is the first city in the UK to set out a new framework to make leisure centres more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for older people.
The city will also be lighting up four iconic Manchester buildings in purple – the colour symbolising dignity and respect for older people.
The new leisure standards will be launched at an event hosted by the Age Friendly Manchester Assembly and with the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Carmine Grimshaw, with activities ranging from a live performance of Cantonese Opera to a taster session exploring the mental and physical health benefits of singing.
The leisure standards developed through a unique partnership between Manchester City Council, Manchester Active, GLL (the UK’s largest leisure operator), Age Friendly Manchester, and the Centre for Ageing Better, builds on the city’s established Age Friendly standards in culture and libraries. It marks a significant step in recognising the importance of supporting an ageing population to remain active, connected, and engaged in community life.
The standards are in response to a consultation which had older people at the heart of the process and codesigned with the Age Friendly Older People’s Board.
The Age Friendly Commitments, include accessible environments, social spaces, inclusive activities, and an annual review process with older people and Age Friendly Manchester to ensure continuous improvement in leisure centres.
While the standards are initially being implemented across seven of Manchester’s community leisure centres they will be introduced across all community leisure centres later this year, with the framework designed so that other local and national leisure providers can adopt it too. The aim is to create a sector-wide approach that improves how leisure facilities engage with older people across the UK.
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care said:
“Access to inclusive leisure opportunities is central to healthy ageing. These standards will ensure older adults are better supported to remain physically active, socially connected, and independent for longer, reducing pressures on health and social care and is part of our ongoing commitment through our Making Manchester Fairer programme to reduce health inequalities across communities in our city.”
Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said:
“This initiative is a great example of how we’re working to make leisure more inclusive and accessible for all. Through this partnership, we’re not only setting a national benchmark for age-friendly leisure provision, but we’re also showing that Manchester is serious about making sure everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from high-quality, welcoming facilities across the city.”
Councillor Joan Davies, Lead Member for Age Friendly Manchester said:
” Manchester’s Age Friendly Strategy is committed to ensuring that older people’s voices are heard in shaping the city’s future: a city where people of all ages can live well, participate fully, and feel valued. Leisure plays a vital role in helping older adults stay active, healthy and connected, amplifying the strength of their voice.”
Buildings including The Civic Heat Network, Manchester Central and Bridgewater Hall and Chetham School of Music will be lit up in purple to mark the UN International Day of Older Persons.