TO help older people feel more confident about leaving their homes, housing providers across Greater Manchester are encouraging local businesses to sign up to the ‘Take a seat’ scheme in a bid to make the region more inclusive, accessible and age-friendly. Inspired by a similar project in New York City, the scheme simply asks local businesses to make seats, toilets and a drink of water available to people who may need them.

Businesses that sign up to the scheme are also given a checklist of ways to make their premises more age- and dementia-friendly by displaying clear signs, store items within easy reach, and keep floors clutter-free.

The idea has already been successfully implemented and delivered in south Manchester. ‘Take a seat’ ties in with GM Mayor, Andy Burnham’s ambitions to make Greater Manchester the UK’s first age-friendly city region, and is part of wider plans designed to make our shops and local town centres more accessible to everyone.