Shaping communities where people thrive as they age
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.
Four 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
Bringing 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, helping people to live with confidence, purpose and strong social connections.
The Churn Community Hub, Cirencester
Having long-standing experience in reducing social isolation and strengthening wellbeing within the Cirencester and surrounding rural areas. The team will bring community partners and local people together to ensure older people are actively involved in shaping community-led projects that help people thrive as they age, while celebrating their skills, experience, and valuable contribution to community life.
Cotswold Friends,
Moreton-in-Marsh
Over 48 years of 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 continue to help connect older residents to their communities and support participation in local life, enabling them to remain active, engaged and valued members of their communities.
Tetbury Area Youth & Community Trust
Providing strong local relationships and a community-led approach in Tetbury and surrounding rural areas. Building 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, ensuring that older people remain active, connected and valued within their communities.
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
The Churn Community Hub
Tetbury Area Youth & Community Trust
Cotswold Friends Transport
Cotswold Friends
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.
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.
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 with the service provider in your area
@ Age Friendly Cotswolds