Belfast has been announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the latest European member of its Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC).

The label has been bestowed upon Belfast due to the city's "age-friendly policies," such as "addressing issues of dignity and empowerment, supportive physical and social environments and access to services as well as support for the values of right to health, equity, solidarity and sustainability."

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Nichola Mallon, said: "This is very good news for Belfast and for all those partners with whom the council is working to make Belfast as age-friendly as possible.

"Older people provide a valuable service to society both in what they have already done and their ongoing contribution. Many older people continue to work, others volunteer, unstintingly, in their communities or continue to support their families in a range of different ways. Many are the unsung heroes of Belfast."

The news comes head of the launch next month of the annual Older Volunteer of the Year Award in Belfast, which allows groups or individuals to nominate an older person they feel is providing a service to the community.

Chair of the council's All-party Reference Group on Older People, Councillor Bernie Kelly said:"We have been working collaboratively, as part of Belfast’s Healthy Ageing Strategic Partnership, and with older people themselves on our Age-friendly strategy for a number of years now and continue to make progress.

"We regularly take the views of older people into account when deciding policy. For example, our BeWarm oil savings stamps scheme, which helps families budget better for fuel bills, was introduced in an effort to help older people in particular meet winter bills. This proved so successful we have rolled it out for anyone across the city to use."

(IT/MH)