Lakeland Receives First Gold Standard Age Friendly South Lakeland Premises Award
Local Cumbrian business, Lakeland, has made history by becoming the first recipient of the newly created Age Friendly South Lakeland Premises Award. The award serves to recognize and celebrate businesses and organizations that have taken steps to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all ages.
Lakeland, renowned for its flagship store in Windermere, has been recognized for its efforts to make its premises age-friendly. The award is part of the Age Friendly South Lakeland initiative, which aims to promote age-friendly communities, allowing individuals to continue living in their homes, stay active, and contribute to their communities for as long as possible.
The Age Friendly South Lakeland Premises Award was established in 2021, with funding from an anonymous donor through the Cumbria Community Foundation and the NHS Morecambe Bay Population Health Fund, and support from the Center for Ageing Better. Age Friendly Coordinator Katie Gatt, along with a steering group of local representatives, developed a checklist for businesses and organizations to work towards in order to receive the premises award.
The checklist includes 40 points covering four key areas: physical environment, respect and inclusion, communication and information, and age-friendly recruitment. Businesses and organizations can receive bronze, silver, or gold accreditation, depending on the number of criteria they meet.
Lakeland, with its exceptional efforts to create an age-friendly environment, has been awarded the gold standard, making it the first recipient of this honor. Age Friendly Coordinator Katie Gatt expressed her delight in presenting the award to Lakeland and hopes that it will encourage other businesses and organizations to consider how they can improve the experience for older customers.
Lakeland Chairman Sam Rayner and General Manager of the Lakeland Café Julie Glandfield were presented with a certificate and window sticker to display in the store by Katie and Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation.
Ruth Fleming, Charitable Giving Lead for Lakeland, expressed her gratitude for being recognized as the first recipient of the award and the gold standard at that. She emphasized Lakeland’s commitment to providing excellent customer service and a safe environment for all visitors.
Cumbria Community Foundation’s Annalee Holliday also congratulated Lakeland on their achievement and hopes that other businesses and organizations will follow their lead in creating an age-friendly community.
The steering group overseeing the Age Friendly South Lakeland initiative includes representation from Active Cumbria, Age UK South Lakeland, Carer Support South Lakes, Community Catalysts, Kendal ICC, Morecambe Bay CCG, South Lakes Dementia Community, and Westmorland and Furness Council.
Cllr Helen Chaffey, Chair of Westmorland and Furness Council’s South Lakeland Locality Board, expressed the council’s support for the award scheme and its vision for Westmorland and Furness to be a great place to live, work, and thrive.
For businesses and organizations interested in applying for the Age Friendly South Lakeland Premises Award, please contact Katie Gatt at Katherine.gatt@gll.org or 07546 985705.
