A NEW community programme designed to help people aged over 50 stay connected, active and independent has been launched in Dukinfield and Stalybridge.
Live Well in Later Life (LWILL) was officially unveiled at The Together Centre in Dukinfield, where residents, community groups and local organisations learned more about the initiative and how they can help shape it.
The project, run by Jigsaw Support and backed by Tameside Council, forms part of Greater Manchester’s wider commitment to creating age-friendly communities and supporting people to live well as they grow older.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, Jigsaw Support says the programme will focus on listening to local people and developing support based on what matters most to them.
The scheme builds on the success of the Ageing in Place project in Ridge Hill, Stalybridge, which ran between 2022 and 2025. That initiative led to the creation of Health Care Champions, community planting projects and the formation of Ridgehill Together, a charity established to continue supporting local residents.
Councillor Jackie Lane, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Inclusivity, said: “Listening to what support our communities need is at the heart of Live Well in Later Life. We’ve seen great things grow in Ridge Hill during the pathfinder project and so it’s exciting to see how Dukinfield and Stalybridge will build on this learning.
“Every town in Tameside is unique and I really encourage residents in the area who are over 50 to get involved and shape exactly what local support they need to live well.”
Phil Brooke, Community Engagement Worker for Jigsaw Support, said: “Live Well in Later Life is about working with residents to understand what matters most to them and building on the strengths that already exist in Dukinfield-Stalybridge.
“We want to bring together local people, community groups and partner organisations to create more opportunities for people to stay connected, active and supported as they get older. Ultimately, we hope this programme will help shape a community where people can live well, feel valued and age positively. We are particularly keen to hear from people who may not usually get involved, so that this work reflects the needs of the whole community.”
Residents aged 50 and over living in Dukinfield and Stalybridge are being encouraged to share their views through a community survey and help shape the programme’s future direction at https://support.jigsawhomes.org.uk/information-article/live-well-in-later-life