Older People's Strategy - Newcastle City Council

18Newcastle City Council has signed up to a Compact Agreementwith the voluntary sector and discussions are underway withthe Primary Care Trust to undertake a similar process. Thisprovides a good practice framework for the relationship thatstatutory agencies have with the voluntary sector.KnowledgeWe need to build knowledge and understanding of howsociety is ageing and influencing research and developmentprogrammes. Research has shown that the adverse effectsof ageing are far more amenable to positive intervention thanis generally recognised. Research will help us to gather theevidence to inform the development and implementation ofthis strategy and to develop products and services to supporthealthy, independent living.Newcastle is fortunate in having two major universities, both ofwhich undertake research to address quality of life issues forolder people – the Institute for Ageing and Health (NewcastleUniversity) and the Centre for Collaborative Gerontology(University of Northumbria).Proposals for a Campus for Ageing and Vitality within theNewcastle Science City initiative will build on the work of theInstitute for Ageing and Health to create a vibrant, leadingcentre for ageing and health research in Europe.Newcastle also has links with the World Health Organisation(WHO) through its membership of the WHO Healthy CitiesProgramme. WHO is currently running two programmesthrough which we can share practice with other European