1. Paul McGarry, Head GM Ageing Hub, GMCA and University of Manchester

2. 3 GM Ageing Strategy: priorities
• GM will become the first age-friendly city region in the UK
• GM will be a global centre of excellence for ageing, pioneering new research, technology and solutions across the whole range of ageing issues
• GM will increase economic participation amongst the over-50s

3. GM Ageing Hub Set up 2016 by Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Coordinate a strategic response to the opportunities and challenges of an ageing population
Programmes of activity around
Economy and work
Age-friendly places
Healthy ageing
Housing and planning
Transport
Age-friendly culture

4. Context/Ways of working
GMS Priority 10
GM Ageing Hub Steering Group
Research-policy-practice
International partnerships
Local age-friendly plans
On-line platform
Partnership with Centre for Ageing Better

5. Demographics
GM population is set to grow by 13% by 2039 to reach 3.1 million, it will be driven by growth in the number of older people
By 2039 GM’s working age population is set to grow by 5%; the number of GM residents aged 65+ will expand by 53% over the same period to reach 650,000
Overall, the number of residents over 50 in GM will grow by a third by 2039
More than one-fifth of GM’s year olds are out of work, considerably higher than the national average. Increasing the employment rate of the over 50s to the all age GM average could increase GVA by as much as £901.6m .

6. GM is ageing unequally

7. Economy and Work: Task group
Monitor the impact of existing work, skills and growth programmes in the context of ageing populations
Influence policy-making and commissioning budgets across GM, and nationally
Link between researchers, policy-makers and commissioners
Develop the case for, and promote the economic opportunities of ageing populations
Provide a platform for the analysis of existing and future patterns of employment and skills for older workers
Provide support and advice to employer-facing programmes .

8. Economy and Work Three year objectives
Create a GM network of public and private age-friendly employers
Reduce number of older workers falling out of work due to ill-health or caring responsibilities
GM agencies and businesses taking advantage of the economic opportunities of ageing populations, such as goods, services and tourism .

9. Economy and work – what’s new
Oldham launched integrated Ageing Well hub in Werneth (see right)
Working Well
Now supported 620 over-50s into sustainable work
Launched Working Well (Work and Health Programme) and designed and secured funding for Working Well (Early Help)
Launched consultation for GM Good Employer Charter

10. What’s new -2
GMCA working with Timewise to look at flexible recruitment best practice
Agreed a joint project team with DWP to deliver Autumn Budget commitment
JCP GM District awarded six contracts to providers offering support to older workers in GM in the last year (to Feb 18). A total of 328 claimants have been supported by these programmes.
JCP has 31 older worker ‘champions’ based in its local offices

11. What’s next
Develop, test and learn over 50s programme with DWP, CFAB, etc
Develop opportunities for older apprenticeships
Work with Jobcentre Plus’ network of Ageing Champions to build capacity
Commission Working Well (Early Help) and Working Well business engagement events
Work with Greater Manchester/Sport England on Local Delivery Pilot
Scope opportunities for integrating mental health and employment support
AFA-funded Working Potential two-year project to support carers into employment Bolton, Salford and Wigan
EU partnerships – ESPON
Industrial Strategy

12. Challenges and discussion points
Scale of shift needed in disdvateged areas
Health profile of poorest third of young 50s
Lack of strategy for left-behind baby-boomers

13. For more info: paul.mcgarry@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
@GMAgeingHub