Our work in Leeds
We are partnering with Leeds City Council and Leeds Older People’s Forum to ensure more people in the city enjoy a good later life.
Our activities in Leeds build on the city’s track record as an age-friendly city, and its commitment to be the best city to grow old in, where people age well, and older people are valued.
In December 2017, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Leeds City Council and Leeds Older People’s Forum to establish a five-year, strategic partnership to collaborate on a number of joint priorities.
The purpose of the partnership is to enable Leeds to adopt evidence-based practices, pilot innovative approaches, and to generate new evidence of ‘what works’ for ageing well that can be disseminated locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
The partnership is focusing currently on transport, community and neighbourhoods, and housing. Our current work together includes:
Transport
Older people in Leeds told us they find shorter journeys challenging, since most public transport comes in and out of the city centre but doesn’t always connect the areas around the city.
When going out, many people rely on lifts, taxis (where affordable) or they don’t leave their house at all. Medical appointments can often be missed due to transport difficulties.
We have been working with partners in Leeds and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to develop a prototype of a collaborative community transport business model, which could provide a solution to these and other unmet travel needs of older people in Leeds.
Communities and neighbourhoods
We carried out primary research into community contributions in later life in Leeds (Holbeck and Beeston) along with four other neighbourhoods in the UK. The report identified the motivations and barriers to informal volunteering which are informing local and national action.
Leeds Neighbourhood Networks
We are commissioning an in-depth evaluation of the Leeds Neighbourhood Networks, which consists of approximately 35 community organisations operating across the city. The activities offered by paid staff and volunteers aim to support older people to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible by creating stronger neighbourhood-level networks and connections between residents.
Housing
We have commissioned research to better understand the needs of people in later life for information and advice on housing options in Leeds. We are working with partners to develop recommendations and try new ways to improve how people can access the right information and advice when they need it, rather than at a point of crisis.