At OSJCT, we believe that growing older should be about continuing to feel connected, valued and involved in the communities we call home. That’s why we’re proud to support Age Friendly Cotswolds, a community initiative funded by the Summerfield Charitable Trust.

Age Friendly Cotswolds works alongside local communities to help create places where people can thrive as they age – with opportunities to stay connected, contribute to their communities and have a voice in shaping the places where they live.

Recently, Gemma from OSJCT attended the launch of Age Friendly Cotswolds at the “Rethinking Ageing” event. The event brought together local organisations, community groups and Age Friendly Ambassadors to share ideas, information and practical ways of making our communities more inclusive and supportive for people of all ages.

It was a wonderful opportunity to meet others who share a passion for creating age-friendly communities, including Karen, Age Friendly Champion from Cotswold Friends; Stow Town Mayor Alison, an Age Friendly Ambassador; and Clifton Jones from Stow News & Post Office, also an Age Friendly Ambassador.

Steve and Harry from OSJCT also joined the event, giving the team an opportunity to meet with local residents and organisations, share stories about Edwardstow and OSJCT, and provide information about Edwardstow and the care and support available.

Matthew Peach, Home Manager at Edwardstow, said:

Being part of our local community is incredibly important to us at Edwardstow. Our residents have so much to offer, and it’s wonderful to see initiatives such as Age Friendly Cotswolds creating opportunities for older people to stay connected, share their experiences and continue to play an active role in their communities. Events like this also give us a chance to listen, learn and build relationships with other organisations who share our commitment to supporting people to live well as they age.

Attending events like these is an important part of building strong, connected communities. They provide an opportunity for local organisations to come together, share knowledge and understand the experiences and needs of older people in the communities they serve. For Edwardstow and OSJCT, being present at these events means we can build meaningful relationships with local groups, discover new opportunities for collaboration and ensure that the voices and experiences of older people remain at the heart of conversations about our communities. By coming together and sharing ideas, we can help create positive change and make the North Cotswolds a place where people can continue to feel connected, included and valued as they grow older.

The event highlighted the important role that local businesses, community groups, organisations and individuals can play in creating places where people can remain active, connected and involved throughout later life.

International Day of Older Persons provides an opportunity to recognise the contribution older people make to our families, communities and society, while also considering how we can remove barriers and create environments where people can continue to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.

For us at OSJCT, that work extends beyond the care we provide. It is also about being part of the communities we serve, building relationships and supporting initiatives that help people feel a sense of belonging.

We are delighted to support Age Friendly Cotswolds and look forward to continuing to work alongside local partners to help make the North Cotswolds an even more age-friendly place.

Together, we can help create communities where people of all ages can connect, contribute, feel valued and thrive.