A new scheme aimed at making town centres in Nottinghamshire more accessible for older people has been launched in Mansfield.
Age Friendly Nottinghamshire’s Take A Seat initiative wants more shops, businesses and meeting places to have a seat available in case an older person needs to catch their breath and rest while they are out shopping.

The scheme, supported by Mansfield District Council, aims to raise awareness of how older people sometimes struggle to access their local area because there is not enough seating available for them to rest.

Advice is also provided to premises on how to make them more age friendly in other ways, such as making sure floors are level and clutter free to prevent trips and slips, lighting is clear and bright, steps have a handrail, products on shelves are within easy reach, toilets are provided where possible and any music is played at a moderate level.

We Are Age Friendly stickers will be displayed in all shops and premises taking part in the initiative.

The sticker aims to reassure older shoppers that they will be given a warm welcome and offered a chair to have a seat and rest.

The first business to sign up to the scheme in Mansfield was Debenhams.

The names of other Age Friendly businesses will be listed at the Take A Seat webpage — www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/takeaseat — as they sign up.

Coun Gordon Wheeler, vice-chairman of the Communities and Place Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council and Age Friendly Ambassador for Nottinghamshire, said: “Simple initiatives like this can really make a difference to people’s lives.

“We are passionate about helping older people and those with disabilities to stay independent and connected to their communities — the Take A Seat initiative will help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation by ensuring older people can still get out and about.”

A third of older people are identified as lonely. Many become isolated because they find it increasingly difficult to walk from their homes to local shops and community venues.

A lack of seating to rest when out can be a significant barrier to them leaving their home.

Take A Seat is free to sign up to for businesses and will be rolled out to other areas of the county over the next two years.
Go to www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/takeaseat

Pictured is Coun Gordon Wheeler (back row, second right) with Debenhams staff and customers at the launch of the Take A Seat campaign in Mansfield town centre.