Paul McGarrySenior Strategy ManagerPublic Health ManchesterManchester City Council

• What’s the context?• What does success look like?

The view from outside

Context is everything

More context

“Some councils will see an outward migration of affluent people in their 50s and 60s who choose to leave the cities…..the remaining older population…tends to be….poorer, isolated and more vulnerable with a lower life expectancy and a need for acute interventions”

Audit Commission 2008

“Population ageing and urbanisation have in their different ways become the key social trends of the twenty-first century.”Phillipson 2010

“I just sit in this flat staring at the television or the walls. You get to a point where you think I can’t cope: I mean you think what’s the point being stuck in this flat day in day out?”Female, 51, West Gorton

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

50-59 75+ 50-59 75+

Richest 2nd 3rd 4th Poorest

English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Men Women

Some inequalities context: Depression and wealth

What does cultural commissioning look like?

Like this: research/policy/practice

“Manchester has established itself at an international level as a leading authority in developing one of the most comprehensive strategic programmes on ageing.”John Beard, Director, Department of Ageing and Life CourseWorld Health Organisation

It can look like this

Summary: key success features • Political leadership and support is key• A team of people supporting initiatives and

partnerships• A local narrative that agencies and residents

understand• Mainstreaming ageing issues to everyone• Promote a ‘citizen’ perspective rather than a

‘deficit’ model• Involving older people as actors in setting the age-

friendly agenda• Support a partnership strategy: research – policy

– practice; multiple stakeholdersBuffel, McGarry et al 2014Journal of Aging Social Policy

Thanks…. For more information:p.mcgarry:@manchester.gov.ukwww.manchester.gov.uk/vop