Ageing is something that touches all our lives, whether we’re growing older ourselves, caring for a loved one, or thinking ahead to what kind of life we want to lead in the future. In Suffolk, we are fortunate to have a growing population of older adults who bring tremendous value to our communities. Whether it’s through volunteering, caregiving, or simply sharing their life experience, older adults are a cornerstone of our social fabric.
However, the way we think about ageing needs to evolve. Too often, older adults are seen through a narrow lens of decline and dependency. The reality is far more diverse. People experience ageing in profoundly different ways, influenced by their health, economic circumstances, and the opportunities available to them throughout their lives. Suffolk’s 2024 Annual Public Health Report makes it clear that we need to challenge outdated stereotypes and work together to create environments that enable all older people to thrive.
The report highlights the importance of age-friendly communities—places that actively support older adults to live healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives. This means ensuring older people have access to good housing, transport, health services, and opportunities to connect socially. It also means addressing the barriers that older adults may face, such as digital exclusion, loneliness, or limited access to public spaces.
One of the key findings of the report is the impact of loneliness and isolation on health. We know that being socially connected is just as important for our wellbeing as being physically healthy, yet many older adults report feeling cut off from their communities. This is where local action can make a real difference. From befriending schemes to community centres and intergenerational activities, there are many ways we can build stronger connections and reduce loneliness.
To shape this year’s report, Suffolk County Council worked closely with Healthwatch Suffolk, gathering insights directly from older residents about their experiences and aspirations. Their feedback paints a clear picture of what matters most to our older population: maintaining independence, staying active, and feeling valued by their communities.
The Integrated Care Academy also conducted three Ageing Well Challenge Labs, bringing together experts, stakeholders, and community leaders to explore innovative ways of supporting healthy ageing. These collaborative sessions highlighted practical solutions, such as improving access to physical activity programs, tackling ageism in the workplace, and ensuring people can navigate health and social care systems with ease.
As a council, we are committed to turning the recommendations from this report into meaningful action. This includes working with our partners in health, housing, transport, and the voluntary sector to ensure older people can access the support they need. For example, initiatives like the Warm Homes Suffolk scheme are helping older adults stay safe and healthy during the winter months, while our focus on active travel is ensuring that people of all ages can move around their communities safely and confidently.
But this isn’t just about services—it’s about attitudes, too. We all have a role to play in making Suffolk a place where ageing is celebrated and supported. That means challenging ageist attitudes, valuing the contributions of older people, and creating opportunities for all generations to connect and learn from one another.
As we look to the future, the challenge of supporting an ageing population is one we must embrace together. I encourage everyone to read the full 2024 Annual Public Health Report and think about how you can play a part in making Suffolk an age-friendly county. Whether you’re a local business, a community group, or simply a neighbour, there’s so much we can do to support the wellbeing of our older residents.
Ageing is a journey we all share, and by working together, we can ensure that Suffolk is a place where everyone, regardless of age, can live their best life.
For more information, or to access the full report, visit the Healthy Suffolk website at www.healthysuffolk.org.uk/jsna
