OLDER PEOPLE
Overall Purpose
The Older Peoples Thematic Group brings together individuals and organisations to work together in a collaborative way to address the challenges and opportunities for Older People. It will review the research, statistics and available material to outline the current issues and challenges facing older people generally and in the County.
In particular, it will:
Review emerging, trends, patterns and key insights
Work as a group to agree suitable key priorities and thematic goals.
Represent those priorities and goals to funders and stakeholders.
Identify ways to support each other and promote sector sustainability.
Key Priorities
There is a very ‘competitive’ environment for raising unrestricted funding. There is widespread concern over the economy and personal finances. There are several current issues for older people. The recent Age UK report (September 2025): The State of Health and Care in England 2025 sets out the challenges, which are very relevant for Northamptonshire. The full report is attached.
The Age UK Health and Care Report 2025 reveals that older people in England are living longer but with more health issues, including frailty and cognitive decline. Social care services are overstretched, with many unable to access the support they need. Informal carers face increasing pressure, and preventive care remains underfunded. The report calls for a shift toward integrated, person-centred care and greater investment in community support. It urges policymakers to involve older people in shaping services and to address growing inequalities. Without urgent reform, the gap between life expectancy and quality of life will continue to widen.
For many families including older people, this is resulting in a ‘perfect storm’ where they are constrained due to increased prices, reduced spending power and more challenges – leading to a lack of opportunity and reduced independence.
Organisations supporting older people are currently facing high costs, staff shortages and inflation. There has been a marked reduction in funding from statutory partners, the local authorities and health and funding is in very short supply. The lack of funding over the medium and longer term means that sustainability is now under threat as organisations ‘live hand to mouth’.
There has also been excellent work taken forward by the Healthy Active Ageing Group, led by Jackie Browne of Northamptonshire Sport. This Group meets bi-monthly and has a wide engagement of stakeholders on this agenda.
Previous Highlights
The Older Peoples Thematic group has reviewed the research and statistics available in relation to the challenges faced by older people in the County and pulled together an influential report. The report consulted with key decision makers and compiled information from most of the members of the Group who have participated actively in its formation.
The report highlights 3 areas that are around solutions that activate and enable the capacity of the community sector, the community and people themselves.
1. Community – active communities and networks, building community networks of activities, interests and events, locally based with access for all whether they have health issues or not.
2. Prevention, messages and communications for all older people to support prevention, care and management of health conditions. With a specific focus on 50+ to influence health, get active, prepare for retirement, future health issues and potentially being a carer.
3. Support and services - for people with health and long-term conditions and their carers
A facilitating challenge:
4. Transport to enable people to get to appointments for health, exercise classes and activities.
And to ensure good alignment with the Integrated Care System and communities:
5. LAPs, engage with each area LAP (Local Area Partnership) to support them with data, knowledge of services and delivery, and in developing options to deliver support to our communities
If you would like further information regarding this group, please do feel free to email the contacts below: