It’s official! Melksham is first town to join UK’s age-friendly network

MELKSHAM has officially become the first rural town to join the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities.

News of Melksham’s membership first came in April this year – revealed exclusively in Melksham News – but it wasn’t until this month that the news was made official.

Melksham joins 25 other cities across the UK, including two boroughs of London, who are working towards making changes and improvements to ensure that people of all ages can actively participate in their community.

The announcement follows over a year of campaigning by the Melksham age-friendly steering group.

“I’m over the moon,” said Brian Warwick, member of the group and president of Melksham Seniors. “It’s absolutely fantastic. This will help us move forward to achieve our age-friendly charter – becoming recognised not just nationally, but across the world by becoming recognised by the World Health Organisation and joining the global network of age-friendly communities.

“This is something that could help build tourism in Melksham and have a positive impact on our economy. It is of great benefit to the future of Melksham and the people that live in the town.”

Anna Dixon, chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, the UK affiliate lead for the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, said, “It’s fantastic that Melksham has joined the UK Network of Age Friendly Communities. It is the first rural town to sign up to this growing movement of places working to ensure everyone has an active, healthy and enjoyable later life.

“The communities in which we live must be inclusive of people of all ages and abilities and help us to make the most of our increasing longevity. That means building good transport links, services and amenities, opportunities for everyone to get involved in civic and community life, and places and outdoor spaces for people of all ages to meet and stay active.

“We look forward to working with Melksham as they develop their plans and next steps, and helping them share ideas and lessons with other Age-Friendly Communities across the UK.”

International day for Older People

Plans are now afoot to celebrate Melksham’s membership to the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities, with a week of activities around the International Day of Older People in October – and organisers want to get the whole town involved.

“The International Day of Older People is celebrated world-wide on the 1st October every year,” explained Brian. “Many parts of the world now have a whole week of celebrations. What we would like to do in Melksham is to link it with part of our aim to achieve the World Health Organisation charter as an  age-friendly town, by getting the whole community involved in some small way, in recognising the important contributions that older people make to local society and raise awareness of the joys and challenges of ageing in Melksham.

“We do however want it to have a truly international flavour, so we are inviting all of our black and minority ethnic community groups, restaurants and businesses along with our voluntary sector, to celebrate in their own small way, their own support to our ageing population. Why not a series of special international flavoured lunches or evening meals during the week especially aimed for those who would normally not try such tasty dishes or perhaps cannot afford normal restaurant prices, but would enjoy a seniors special offer?

“In some of our cities many international restaurants arrange special events where their own community get involved by arranging cookery classes, entertainment and folk dancing from their own nations. Local businesses, including retailers, solicitors and traders also take advantage of promoting the ranges of services they can provide.”