NALC partners with the Centre for Ageing Better to support healthier, age-friendly communities

We are proud to have partnered with the Centre for Ageing Better on a new practical guide explicitly designed to help parish and town councils create age-friendly communities. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to improving health, wellbeing and quality of life at the very local level, and to supporting councils to respond effectively to demographic change.

The guide recognises the unique role that parish and town councils play in shaping places where people can age well. Parish and town councils are often the first to experience the impacts of an ageing population, and with strong community connections, they are uniquely placed to act.

The guide translates the World Health Organisation's age-friendly framework into a practical, parish and town council-focused resource. It provides clear steps, adaptable templates and real-world examples from councils already leading the way. This aligns closely with our health and wellbeing work, supporting parish and town councils to take preventative, place-based action that helps residents stay connected, active and healthy throughout later life.

The guide shows how existing duties, powers and partnerships can be aligned across the eight age-friendly domains. A standout feature is the Age-friendly Activities Wheel, which offers a simple but effective tool to help councils review what they are already doing, identify opportunities to expand their impact, and celebrate successes within their communities.

You will find practical examples, case studies and signposted resources for each domain, demonstrating how collaborative local action can strengthen community resilience and improve wellbeing for people of all ages. These examples reinforce the message that age-friendly approaches not only benefit older residents but also help to create healthier, more inclusive communities overall.

We encourage parish and town councils to explore this guide and consider how it can support their local health and wellbeing priorities. You can join the launch event on 29 January 2026 to learn more about why and how parish and town councils can improve life for older residents. The event will share what was learnt from researching the current landscape of age-friendly practice councils and the opportunities to use their powers, responsibilities, and reach into local communities to build the age-friendly movement.