Older People’s Manifesto 2012-16

Gordon Deuchars, Age UK London

3 July 2014

Our joint Older People’s Manifesto with GLF

Many older people are or feel excluded by negative images and stereotypes

Some suffer multiple discrimination because of their age and other personal characteristics

We called on Mayoral candidates to:- Challenge negative images of older people, raise awareness

of their contribution to society

Challenge stereotypes and celebrate diversity

Safe, reliable, affordable and accessible transport is vital.

It supports social inclusion, health and older people’s contribution to society.

We called on candidates to:- Safeguard the Freedom Pass and take action on bus driver

training, maintenance of buses, accessible stations and door-to-door transport

The Freedom Pass and good-quality transport

Crime and disorder are major issues for older people.

The fear of crime can itself be a serious problem.

We called on candidates to:- Increase or maintain the number of police on the beat- Promote intergenerational work to increase understanding

and mutual respect

Ensure that older people feel safe and secure wherever they go

Older people are entitled to warm, safe and secure accommodation that suits their needs

Their needs may change as they age

We called on candidates to: - Use Mayoral powers to help older people to fight fuel

poverty, have sufficient living space and live in accessible homes

- Ensure there is adequate provision of specialist housing for older people

Promote suitable, affordable housing

The Mayor has duties to improve the health of all Londoners and reduce inequalities in health outcomes across London

Older people are the top adult users of health and social care services

We called on candidates to:- Include older people as lay members of the London Health

Improvement Board- Champion prevention and high quality health and social

care services for older people

Champion high-quality, appropriate health and social care services

Older people bring a wealth of experience, skills and knowledge to the workplace.

Older people also have a key role to play in volunteering.

We called on candidates to:- Ensure that employment and training schemes target

people aged 50+ as well as younger people- Promote volunteering opportunities for older people

Support equal opportunities in employment and volunteering

Cluttered, badly designed and badly maintained streets can be inaccessible and hazardous to older people.

We called on candidates to:- Work with local authorities, TfL, utilities and others to make

streets safer and more accessible

Make London’s streets safer and more accessible

Older and disabled people want to be able to stay fit and active and take part in London’s cultural and intellectual life.

We called on candidates to:- Prioritise older people in the Health Inequalities Strategy

and Cultural Strategy- Take a range of other steps to promote fitness, activity and

involvement

Help enable older people to stay fit, active and involved

Older people need accessible information on all aspects of living in London.

We called on candidates to:- Ensure all information published by the Mayor/Assembly is

available in simple and accessible formats- Signpost where clear and accessible information is

available- Continue to tackle digital exclusion

Make information simpler and more accessible

Thank you.