A NEW partnership is being launched tomorrow in a bid to strengthen the voice of older people in the district.

The Bradford District Positive Ageing Partnership currently comprises more than 15 voluntary and community sector organisations that support, provide services or work alongside older people.

The partnership, which is being launched on UN Older People's Day tomorrow, follows on from the Older People's Partnership, led by Bradford Council, which ended in 2017.

Stephanie Smith, director of services at Age UK Bradford District, and chairman of the partnership, told the Telegraph & Argus: "We have such a rich voluntary and community sector in Bradford and the new Positive Ageing Partnership is an opportunity for us to come together and work collaboratively to make Bradford District an all age friendly district.

"We want to encourage as many groups that work alongside older people in their communities, as well as older people living across Bradford District to support this partnership and get involved."

She added that at the launch on International Older People's Day they will be recognising and celebrating the contribution of older people that live in our local communities.

Rachel Neualerts, from Positive Minds, which works to support older people and the agencies and organisations that work with them, said: "Bradford is a fantastic city with fantastic groups and services for older people. The Positive Ageing Partnership gives us all the opportunity to make links with each other for the benefit of older people."

Masira Hans, from Sharing Voices, said: "We became involved in the Positive Ageing Partnership to champion the voices of BME communities, to ensure services are accessible and equitable for all the communities that reside in our district and to highlight the additional cultural issues pertaining to older people.

"We believe this is a much needed initiative and this partnership will bring service providers together for much wider perspectives on the current services and promote partnership working across the system."

The organisations involved have been working together over the last 12 months to establish the new partnership which will focus on engaging with older people, as well as contributing to the district's strategies that effect or impact on older people living in our communities.

They will also work alongside statutory partners to make Bradford an all age friendly district.

The purpose of the new partnership is: "To support a way for individuals, organisations and professionals to communicate, plan and share ideas to bring together and strengthen a voice for older people."

Its vision is: "To make the wider District of Bradford a people friendly place, where older people are recognised, valued and celebrated. Our vision is that by working together we will ensure that older people, across our district, have a voice that is listened to about issues that are important to them."

Members include: Age UK Bradford District, Positive Minds, Open House, CABAD, Equality Together, BTM, HALE, BD4 Community Trust, AWOC, BCB, Carers Resource, BDSP, Equality Together, Royds and Sharing Voices.

Other organisations, such as the Council, are expected to be involved as associate members.