Key Points
- Pioneering partnership between Age UK Bolton and Bolton Council is delivering significant social and economic benefits for older residents, including over £500,000 in secured benefits and direct energy refunds.
- Collaborative programmes are focused on tackling isolation, supporting independent living, and enhancing the age-friendliness of Bolton’s communities.
- Recent Age-Friendly consultations with input from older people have triggered tangible improvements in local infrastructure and planning.
- A broad suite of bespoke support services ranges from hospital discharge support to financial advice and befriending initiatives.
- The partnership is working towards making Bolton a globally recognised Age-Friendly Community and is a member of the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities.
- Impact reports detail real-world case studies—like ‘Rita’s story’—demonstrating major quality-of-life improvements.
- Local strategy involves joint efforts with Greater Manchester authorities and volunteer champions to create a more inclusive, safer borough for the elderly.
- Strong emphasis on building resilience, promoting healthy ageing, and connecting vulnerable residents to practical support like home services, form-filling, and exercise classes.
- Partnership aims to be the first point of contact for anyone over 50 in Bolton seeking assistance.
- Ongoing, transparent reporting and engagement ensures plans are informed by real experiences of Bolton’s older citizens.
A pioneering partnership between Age UK Bolton and Bolton Council is transforming the lives of older residents across the borough—offering financial relief, independent living support, and reshaping the town’s approach to ageing, with direct input and deep collaboration at its core.
How Is the Age UK Bolton and Council Partnership Making a Difference for Residents?
As reported by the Age UK Bolton communications team, this partnership has already secured over £500,000 in benefits for older people and delivered targeted support such as £1,175 in energy refunds for individual cases. In its recent Activity and Impact Report, Age UK Bolton’s Chief Executive Lauren McKechnie outlined the scope of their work, including comprehensive financial advice, hospital discharge assistance, and various practical services aimed at the most vulnerable locals.
According to the Age UK Bolton quarterly impact documentation,
“our services help older people reclaim financial independence, resolve long-term bureaucratic issues, and access essential health and social support”.
In several highlighted cases, clients described the support as “life-changing”, citing improved access to entitlements, safe home environments, and renewed mental wellbeing. The Home from Hospital team, for example,
“became Rita’s first point of contact, providing reablement support and connecting her to a range of vital services”.
What Specific Services Are Offered to Older Bolton Residents Through This Partnership?
Drawing from the detailed statements by Age UK Bolton, the charity’s bespoke suite includes:
- Direct financial advice, such as help with Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, and energy bills.
- Home from Hospital support, which assists discharged patients with practical daily living.
- Information and Advice centres, responding to general and specialist queries on forms, benefits, and care entitlements.
- Befriending services to combat loneliness, and social clubs for ongoing connection.
- Strength and Balance and other health/wellbeing activities, promoting independence.
In the words of Age UK Bolton Chief Executive Lauren McKechnie,
“these stories reflect the powerful, life-changing work that’s possible when we come together to meet the diverse needs of older people in Bolton”.
Each service is uniquely tailored to the situation; for Rita, this included escorted bank visits, securing lost entitlements, arranging for accessible medication delivery, and linking her with future housing and befriending resources.
How Are Real Residents’ Lives Changing Because of These Joint Initiatives?
According to “Local Funding, Lasting Impact”, a report from Age UK Bolton’s communications, case studies are central to evidencing the partnership’s success. Rita, an 83-year-old from Bolton, is one example among many:
“Diagnosed with diverticular colitis, diabetes, and strokes, her memory became impaired and her independent life was at risk. Age UK Bolton’s Home from Hospital team became her first point of contact, providing reablement, securing Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit, and connecting her to befriending and home services. Within weeks, her life had transformed—she regained control over her finances, received timely medication, and felt relief from isolation”.
Such outcomes are not isolated. Quarterly reports confirm hundreds of residents receiving energy refunds, successful benefit claims, and ongoing support for everything from cleaning and shopping to planning future care.
What Is the Age-Friendly Strategy and How Are Residents Involved?
As detailed by Age UK Bolton and Bolton Council, the Age-Friendly Strategy 2025–2028 is a roadmap that places older people at the centre of policymaking. The process has been collaborative from the outset; in 2024, Ageing Well teams organised walking consultations across the town centre, engaging over-50s to identify barriers like inaccessible pavements or inadequate seating.
According to the summary of consultation outcomes published by Age UK Bolton, work began almost immediately to address these issues:
“Bolton Council is making important changes to Bolton town centre following an age-friendly consultation… work has started on Great Moor Street to improve the pavements… More work is planned to take place in the town centre as a result of the consultation, including installing more seating and places to rest”.
These actions align Bolton with the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities and further efforts to join the World Health Organisation's Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities. All plans are underpinned by direct engagement with older adults and continuous impact assessment.
Who Is Behind the Partnership—And How Do Volunteers and Stakeholders Contribute?
Founded in 1947, Age UK Bolton is one of the area’s most dynamic charities, now with over 200 volunteers and 50 staff, dedicated to serving the borough’s over-50s. Mobilised by the vision that
“as we age, we all have the necessary opportunities, information and support to enjoy an independent and fulfilled quality of life”,
the organisation acts as both a direct service provider and an advocate within the local Age Well Partnership.
New team members, such as Information & Advice Officer Emily Wynn and Volunteering Team Leader Kirti Mistry, strengthen the network’s reach, skills, and responsiveness. Collaboration extends to partnerships with national Age UK, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and a broad coalition including local health teams and housing associations.
What Does the Future Hold for Bolton’s Older Residents Through This Partnership?
With the launch of the 2025–2028 Age-Friendly Strategy and a record of documented improvements—from upgrades to Bolton town centre to securing essential financial benefits—the partnership’s ambitions remain high. Age UK Bolton, in collaboration with the Council and multiagency partners, is committed to:
- Continuing resident-led consultations to inform policy and infrastructure investment.
- Expanding practical support services, particularly for the most vulnerable or isolated.
- Enhancing volunteer recruitment and specialist training for more tailored care.
- Measuring and publicly reporting on the tangible impacts of all initiatives.
How Do Residents Access Support or Get Involved?
Residents over 50 can contact Age UK Bolton directly via the Information & Advice Service (01204 382411) for guidance on the full range of programmes, or visit their office for personal assistance with any query, including form-filling, befriending, or practical home support.
For volunteering, residents are encouraged to join Age UK Bolton’s expanding team, helping with peer support activities, consultation events, and home visits.
Why Is the Bolton Model Attracting Wider Attention?
The joint strategic approach, transparent reporting, and authentic integration of older people’s voices set Bolton’s model apart. As noted in official communications, this
“partnership working is ensuring not only improved quality of life for today’s older residents, but is building a borough fit for ageing generations to come”.
The collaboration is now cited within regional and national best practice circles, with formal aspirations for global recognition through the World Health Organisation’s networks.
What Do the Partners Say About Their Success So Far?
Quoting directly from Age UK Bolton’s impact statement, Lauren McKechnie, Chief Executive, concluded:
“I truly believe these stories reflect the powerful, life-changing work that’s possible when we come together to meet the diverse needs of older people in Bolton. The difference we make is being felt across the community”.
As implementation continues, Age UK Bolton and Bolton Council have set a benchmark for partnership-driven, community-informed support for older citizens—one that’s already changing lives and poised for even greater impact in the years ahead.