Celebrating a month of Age-friendly Gwynedd activities

A warm welcome is offered to members of the public to Cyngor Gwynedd’s 'Byw'n Dda, Byw'n Iach' event, which is the culmination of a series of events held throughout the county over recent weeks with the intention of helping people to age well.

The session aims to give older people the opportunity to try new activities, create social connections and to find out what support is available.

During the session - which will be held at Canolfan Byw’n Iach Arfon, Caernarfon on 1 November - the new Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, will be present to answer questions from attendees and to explain her priorities over the coming year.

The event is organised by the Adults, Health and Well-being Department as part of activities organised following Gwynedd’s recognition as an Age-friendly community by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in April 2024.

This international status means that Cyngor Gwynedd, and more than 30 partners, are working together to make Gwynedd a pleasant, safe and accessible place for people as they age. As part of the work to celebrate and recognise the contribution of older people in our communities a series of events have been arranged to build resilient communities and reduce isolation across the county during the autumn, starting with the International Day of Older People on 1 October.

Some of the successful events held over the past few weeks include:

• On International Day of Older People, some stories of older people in Gwynedd were shared on social media, for example photos from Plas Maesincla residents, one of the Council’s residential homes sharing their ageing well secrets; and celebrating local heroes with Dementia Actif Gwynedd.
• The first ‘Byw’n Dda, Byw’n Iach’ event was held at Porthmadog, where dozens of older people from Gwynedd came together to hear from organisations about the support available, as well as having the opportunity to sample various activities, to chat and to socialise.
• Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care, Welsh Government, visited Canolfan Noddfa, Caernarfon so that she could see how some Gwynedd residents are supported as they age, and how the Council is working in partnership to reach its age-friendly goal.
• An intergenerational event was held at Awel y Coleg, Y Bala where there was an opportunity for people to socialise and share stories comparing today and yesterday.

Dilwyn Morgan, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being and Gwynedd Age-friendly Champion said:

"We are proud of all the intergenerational work taking place across Gwynedd. One of our top priorities in our age-friendly work is to support partners to be able to offer opportunities that bring people of all ages together to build stronger, more resilient communities which, over time, will become more age-friendly."

"Receiving the recognition back in April was only the start of the journey. The Council is working with partners and older people in Gwynedd to raise awareness, build on the momentum and make Gwynedd a pleasant place in which to become older.

"I would encourage older people who want to know more about what is available to them, and how they can continue to enjoy the things that are important to them, to come to the session at the leisure centre. More activities will be organised, and we ask people to keep an eye out for further details."

The ‘Byw’n Dda, Byw’n Iach’ event is held at Canolfan Byw’n Iach Arfon, Caernarfon on 1 November between 10am-2pm.  There’s a warm welcome to anyone to drop by.

The Council is developing new ways of contacting people who have an interest in this field. ⁠To register to receive information on the Age-friendly Gwynedd programme, contact us either on e-mail: OedGyfeillgar@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or write to Gwynedd Age-friendly, c/o Supporting Health and Well-being Manager, Pencadlys Cyngor Gwynedd, Stryd y Jêl, Caernarfon LL55 1SH. More information, and a copy of the action plan, is available on Cyngor Gwynedd's website: Age-friendly Gwynedd (llyw.cymru)