South Ayrshire's Ageing Well movement recognised at the national iESE Awards 2025

South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and partners received the Silver Award for Transformation in Health and Social Care at this year's national iESE Awards for their Ageing Well: Focus on Frailty programme.

The award recognises our approach to addressing the challenges associated with the ageing demographics of South Ayrshire through preventative interventions, cross sector collaboration, and community-focused strategies.

Councillor Hugh Hunter said, "The Ageing Well work being taken forward in South Ayrshire is more than just a strategy, it is a social movement and encompasses our commitment to working with our communities for the best outcomes. The South Ayrshire HSCP and VASA began this journey due to the ageing population of our communities, however, it has grown further than that.  The focus is on prevention, getting the right support, at the right time, to allow us to thrive in our older years."

South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA) have led on the development of this work, with support from the South Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership. The journey began when South Ayrshire became one of Scotland's first Age-Friendly Communities, a growing social movement led by the World Health Organisation. The South Ayrshire Ageing Well Strategy and Action Plan was formally launched in September 2024.

Marie Oliver, CEO of Voluntary Action South Ayrshire said, "One of the biggest steps we have made in our Ageing Well journey has been the introduction of our Ageing Well Champions Boards. These boards are an opportunity for local people to really have their say in shaping our communities going forward. With three boards established across South Ayrshire with over 150 members, all residents over the age of 50 are encouraged to get involved."

iESE is a not-for-profit organisation created by local authorities as a shared resource to transform public services and retain experience within the sector. This year's ceremony saw local authorities, police services, fire and rescue services and health boards/trusts from across the UK brought together to share good practice and celebrate the hard work of those around the room in improving the lives of our communities. South Ayrshire HSCP was the only organisation representing Scotland this year.

The iESE magazine "transform" highlighted all winners from this year's event, describing the Silver award winning programme an iESE representative said, "South Ayrshire HSCP and partners comprehensive Ageing Well: Focus on Frailty programme take a whole system approach from primary prevention through to coordinated acute care when required and everything in between. It is designed to empower older adults to enhance their quality of life, and address the challenges posed by frailty whilst also skilling up teams to provide more coordinated and proactive support further upstream."