Age Friendly Cotswolds
Listening
Connecting
Empowering
What is Age-Friendly Cotswolds?
Age-Friendly Cotswolds is a network of four voluntary organisations working together to create communities where people thrive as they age - feeling connected, valued, and able to shape the places they live.
4 Local Charities with a shared purpose
Age-Friendly Cotswolds brings together local voluntary and community organisations to work alongside older people, helping to strengthen connection, wellbeing and influence across towns and rural communities throughout the Cotswolds.
The Cotswolds has one of the highest proportions of older residents in Gloucestershire, and this number continues to grow. Many older people want to remain active, connected and involved in community life. However, challenges such as rural isolation, limited transport options, digital exclusion and fragmented services can make this increasingly difficult.
Age-Friendly Cotswolds is designed to address these challenges by supporting older people to live well, stay connected and play an active role in shaping their communities.
Age UK Gloucestershire
Age UK Gloucestershire will bring its expertise in supporting, advising and advocating for older people across the county. The organisation will help ensure that older people’s voices are heard within the initiative, contribute knowledge about ageing well, and support activities that enable residents to plan for later life and remain active and engaged in their communities.
The Churn Community Hub, Cirencester
The Churn Community Hub will act as the lead organisation for Age Friendly Cotswolds, coordinating the partnership and supporting the overall delivery of the initiative. With long-standing experience in reducing isolation and strengthening community wellbeing, The Churn will help bring partners together, ensure older people are actively involved in shaping the programme, and support community-led approaches that build stronger local connections.
Cotswold Friends,
Moreton-in-Marsh
Cotswold Friends will contribute its expertise in reducing loneliness and supporting independent living for older people across the Cotswolds. Through its extensive volunteer network and established services such as community transport, activities and befriending, the organisation will help connect older residents to their communities and support participation in local life.
Tetbury Area Youth & Community Trust
Tetbury Area Youth & Community Trust will support the initiative through its strong local relationships and community-led approach in Tetbury and surrounding rural areas. Building on its experience of creating inclusive community spaces and programmes, the organisation will help develop opportunities for social connection, participation and wellbeing, working alongside residents to strengthen community life for people as they age.
Our Priorities
Our work focuses on four key themes
Health & Wellbeing
Supporting people to maintain their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
Social & Civic Participation
Creating opportunities to connect with others and contribute to community life
Empowerment & Resilience
Helping people build confidence, independence and the skills to navigate change
Impact & Influence
Ensuring older people's voices are heard and help shape local services and decision-making
Early Feedback
As we engage with communities across the area, we are already hearing inspiring stories about what helps people feel connected, valued, and part of where they live. These conversations will help shape the future of the programme and ensure it reflects the priorities that matter most to local people.
We encourage all Cotswold residents to complete our survey so that we can build a comprehensive picture of local needs and aspirations. Your feedback will help ensure the programme delivers meaningful benefits for communities across the district.
Service Areas
Age UK Gloucestershire - supporting, advising and advocating for older people across the county
Cotswold Friends - Service Lead for the North Cotswolds, providing Ageing Friendly, befriending, hospital support, independence support, carer wellbeing and community activities
The Churn Project - Service Lead for Cirencester and Central Cotswolds, providing Ageing Friendly, befriending and good neighbours for older residents
TAYCT - Service Lead of Tetbury and surrounding villages, providing community engagement and activities to build an age-friendly local community hub
Cotswold Friends - providing volunteer community transport
Community Chest Grants
Alongside our four priority themes, we are launching a Community Chest Grant Scheme. This fund will provide small grants to support locally led ideas and projects that help strengthen connections, reduce isolation and improve the lives of older people in their communities. Contact your local organisation to find out more.
Donors
The Summerfield Charitable Trust is providing the £1 million investment that enables the Age Friendly Cotswolds initiative to take place. As a long-standing Gloucestershire funder, the Trust supports local organisations to deliver projects that strengthen communities and improve wellbeing. Through this investment, the Trust aims to support collaborative, community-led work that helps older residents remain connected, valued and able to thrive.
Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance
Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance has supported the development of the Age Friendly Cotswolds initiative, helping bring together partners from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. The Alliance promotes collaboration and partnership working, ensuring the initiative builds on local strengths and creates meaningful opportunities for older people to remain active contributors to their communities.
This Is A Shared Effort Made Possible With Your Help
Help make the Cotswolds a place where people thrive as they age.
Click on your local area above to find out what is happening near you.
Get involved in your community
Share your ideas and experiences in our Survey Link
Volunteer with one of our trusted local charities
Interested in getting involved?
Please do get in touch
@ Age Friendly Cotswolds by CW Freelance