A pilot project aims to establish Horncastle as East Lindsey's first Age-Friendly town, with a new business award scheme and a range of community initiatives designed to make the town even more accessible for older residents.
East Lindsey District Council and Horncastle Town Council are working in partnership on the pilot project.
East Lindsey has been recognised as an Age-Friendly Community since 2019, when the district council joined the UK Network of Age Friendly Communities. This commitment helps ensure that older residents can lead healthy, active and independent lives, participate in local activities and continue contributing to their communities for as long as possible.
Following an assessment of six locations across the district, Horncastle was identified by the council as the strongest candidate for the pilot scheme due to its existing age-friendly qualities.
The project aims to build on these strengths and support Horncastle Town Council in gaining recognition as an Age-Friendly Community in its own right. Working together, the two councils will explore ways to make the town even more inclusive for older residents.
As part of the pilot, East Lindsey District Council's Healthy Communities and Place teams are developing an Age-Friendly Business Award Scheme for local businesses, launching this autumn.
The scheme will encourage organisations to adopt age-friendly practices and sign up to the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge. Businesses will be able to work towards recognition using the Centre for Ageing Better's Age-Friendly Business Framework.
The Framework is based on five key principles:
Your People - Age-inclusive employment practices, training and awareness, challenging age-related stereotypes, empowering staff of all ages and creating a positive and supportive workplace culture.
Your Premises - Accessible layouts and entrances, appropriate furniture and facilities, consideration of lighting, noise and other sensory factors, health and safety and easy and welcoming customer interactions.
Your Communications - Easy-to-find information, clear language and readable formats, effective signs and labels, positive representation of older people, accessible communication channels.
