Ageing Well in Wales: a national movement

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inform readers about the Ageing Well in Wales Programme, including its background, purpose and key aims and objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The Programme is in its first year and works at several levels, from high-level national bodies to community/volunteer groups on the ground. The Programme’s success is largely dependent on the commitment of individuals and organisations.

Findings

The Programme is on-going with no findings as such to date, however, the Programme is a response to research and evidence that suggests that the health and wellbeing of older people in Wales needs to be urgently addressed, particularly in the context of demographic change and the impact of austerity on front-line public services and the development of more preventative approaches.

Practical implications

One of the outcomes will be an increasing understanding of what makes effective national learning and participative networks.

Social implications

People in Wales will be more active and engaged and as a consequence experience greater health and wellbeing.

Originality/value

Provides a state of play on the Programme up to Summer 2015, outlining what has been achieved to date and next steps.

Citation

Williams, I. and Hattton-Yeo, A. (2015), "Ageing Well in Wales: a national movement", Working with Older People, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 170-176. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-07-2015-0013