Improving life for older people: helping councils make a difference.

Purpose – The Ageing Well programme is designed to improve life for older people and works with councils to help them make better places for people to grow old in. The purpose of this paper is to look at the programme and the work being carried out. Design/methodology/approach – The paper talks about the programme's origins and purpose, the work it has been doing, and the legacy it will leave for councils to work well in the future. Findings – The programme has shown different councils face different issues within the ageing agenda, and therefore need different solutions. Councils need to engage with older people to support them fully and to embrace the ageing agenda. Practical implications – The programme is aimed at improving provision for older people in many areas. This work needs to continue despite the challenge local authorities face with budgets. Support from the Ageing Well programme has helped councils identify innovative ways to look at the ageing agenda and this needs to continue. Social implications – The programme encourages councils and the wider public to see older people in a more positive light. It helps to show older people as an asset to society, whether the economy or through volunteering and life experience, and helps councils really embrace making their area a better place in which to grow old. Originality/value – This paper will help councils which are not already working with the Ageing Well programme see its value and access its support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]