Age-Friendly Benches are unveiled in Cheetham Hill for older residents

A total of 10 new benches help older residents navigate their local neighbours have been unveiled in Cheetham Hill.

The Age Friendly benches are in specific locations across the area following close consultation with older residents and community groups to address their needs, habits and experiences. 

 The new outdoor seating is near a mosque (Khizra), guidance hub, a post office and church on Waterloo Road and Belott Street Park. A medical and advice centre on Levenhurst Road also have new benches and corners of Cheetham Hill Road/Heywood Street, Cheetham Hill Orad/Albyns Avenue and Bellott Street Park/Heywood Street have also welcomed new seating.  

The benches have been designed to create local routes, focus on independence and ensure older people have easy connections to services and transport routes. Of course, the benches are available for everyone to use who may need them. 

Cheetham Hill, which has over 400 residents aged 66 and older, received the £170k investment into the benches as part of city-wide funding from the Clean and Green campaign. Launched in July last year, the council’s £15ml investment project to improve aims to improve Manchester’s neighbourhoods and make them eco-friendly.  

Age-Friendly benches have already been installed throughout the city, including Whalley Range, and the roll out of 49 more will continue in Levenshulme, Fallowfield, Northenden, Brooklands, Baguley, Sharston and Wood House Park. 

The new community routes places older people at the heart of its planning, ensuring they have the independence and confidence to move around their neighbourhoods with ease.  

By working closely with residents, the project has created tailored pathways that connect people to essential services, community hubs, and public transport links. 

This collaborative approach not only strengthens local networks but also supports older adults in maintaining active, connected, and fulfilling lives within their communities. 

The Age-Friendly Benches scheme has plans to join the networks, meaning residents will be able to travel further and experience other communities.  

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “We care deeply that all our residents are considered and see themselves reflected in the communities they live in. That is why the Age-Friendly Benches programme is so important, because it is giving older people the confidence to make their way around our towns and parks. 

“I’m really pleased to see how closely we’ve worked with older residents to ensure their needs are met and that they can now enjoy their local neighbourhood to the fullest.” 

Elaine Unegbu, Chair of Age-Friendly, said: “The installation of Ageing-Friendly AF) benches were done with community members input in the decision making and they therefore feel a strong sense of ownership.AF benches serve as resting places, reduces isolation and loneliness, improves exercise and has a positive impact on improving health and wellbeing. They also facilitate socialising and building relationships across the generations.

Christine Ricard, Community Development Worker at Whalley Range, said: “Our residents and Age-friendly Whalley Range were instrumental in getting our 12 age-friendly benches installed in Whalley Range in 2018 – and we haven’t looked back since.  

“This means even more people with mobility and health issues, everyone in the community will find it easier to get to our GP surgeries, bus stops, local shops and community centres. 

“Sitting on the benches invites conversations, makes it easier to walk to the shops and improves health and wellbeing by getting out in the fresh air and knowing there is somewhere to rest along the way.” 

Norman Goodman, a Cheetham Hill resident, said: “It’s a very good idea to have the benches, because I’m 75-years-old and a lot of people do need extra support to sit down when they are out shopping and having a walk. Pregnant women and disabled people all need the extra help. The area it not affluent, so any improvement is good for the environment and the appearance. 

“Personally, I do have a few health problems, I use a walking stick so to me it’s good, because I do need to stop at time.  Before the benches were installed, I had to use a bus stop. I can sit down for 10 mins now and that can apply for hundreds of other people too.”