Interventions to promote ageing in place: developing the Village model in Manchester
Quality in Ageing and Older Adults
ISSN: 1471-7794
Article publication date: 25 July 2023
Issue publication date: 20 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The Village model, most extensively developed in the USA, is an innovative response to ageing populations and older adults who wish to remain living independently within their community. The “Urban Villages” participatory action research study aimed to test the potential of the Village model to work with groups of older adults in two economically deprived, inner-city neighbourhoods in Manchester, UK.
Design/methodology/approach
Participatory methods were used to work with residents to, first, adapt the Village model to the Manchester setting, and second, to develop and deliver community projects that supported ageing in place. The study aimed to involve marginalised individuals and groups in the co-design, leadership and implementation of the projects. Ethnographic methods were applied to observe and reflect on the development of “Urban Villages”. Interviews and focus groups were organised to gather the views of the residents involved in the community projects.
Findings
Residents were supported to develop and test seven projects, all aimed at reducing social isolation and supporting ageing in place. The study provides new insights into challenges related to co-production with older people in deprived neighbourhoods. These challenges are presented under the following headings: individual capacity and expectations; collective capacity including communication and knowledge; and the capacity of place.
Originality/value
To date, only a limited amount of literature is available showing how co-production with older adults can be realised when working with marginalised groups and deprived communities. The paper explores the potential of participatory approaches to develop age-friendly initiatives through strengthening the capacity of older adults to age in place.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors of this report would like to express their gratitude to the many people who supported and gave their time helping the Urban Villages project, particularly the community project leaders. The Urban Villages Research was made possible through generous funding from: Manchester City Council, Manchester Health and Social Care Commissioning, the Faculty of Humanities Strategic Investment Fund, the Office for Social Responsibility, the Alliance Manchester Business School, and the Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing.
Citation
Doran, P., Goff, M. and Phillipson, C. (2024), "Interventions to promote ageing in place: developing the Village model in Manchester", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 56-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-03-2023-0022
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited