Age Concern and Help the Aged
Encyclopedia
Age UK is a registered charity in the United Kingdom
, formed on 25 February 2009, and launched on 1 April 2009, which combines the operations of the previously separate charities Age Concern
and Help the Aged
to form the UK's largest charity for older people. The charity operated under its original charity names as "Age Concern and Help the Aged" until the new brand launch on 19 April 2010. It also includes separate but interdependent charities for the nations called Age Scotland
, Age Cymru and Age NI
, as well as its commercial services arm, Age UK Enterprises.
The merger was the largest among charities in the UK since that of the Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial Cancer Research in 2002 to form Cancer Research UK
.
s, and income raised through its commercial services arm, Age UK Enterprises.
The merger was first confirmed in September, when Dianne Jeffrey was confirmed as the new chair of trustees.
Tom Wright CBE
, previously chief executive of VisitBritain
, and Trustee of the Imperial War Museum
was appointed Chief Executive of the new charity in November 2008.
Operating as a social enterprise, Age UK Enterprises’ product range currently includes: Travel, Home and Motor Insurance (provided by Ageas Insurance Limited); Motor Breakdown cover (provided by Europ Assistance Holdings Limited); Gas and Electricity, Funeral Plan, Annuities Service, Equity Release, Wills and Legal Services, Holidays, Lifebook and Personal Alarms.
Products and services can be purchased either online through Age UK’s website, by telephone, or through the UK-wide network of Age Concerns/Age UK offices.
and can be traced back to a realisation in that country of the effects on aged people of the Second World War
; the dislocation and breakdown of family life arising out of conscription
led to a recognition that existing poor law
s failed to provide effective support for old people separated from family support networks.
In 1940, the Old People’s Welfare Committee (OPWC), chaired by Eleanor Rathbone
, was formed as a forum for discussion between government and voluntary organisations. OPWC was a sub-committee of Liverpool Personal Service Society
(PSS). In 1944, the committee changed its name to the National Old People’s Welfare Committee (NOPWC), and took on responsibility for coordinating the activities of numerous local OPWCs.
From the 1950s onwards, NOPWC accessed government and local funds associated with the post-war development of the welfare state
, to provide services to local committees, and training to wardens of old people's homes.
In 1971, under the direction of David Hobman
, the NOPWC changed its public name to Age Concern, and separated itself entirely from government and the National Council for Social Service, (now NCVO). It did so while also launching a 'manifesto for old age' and establishing itself nationally as a lobbying body as well as an organisation that engaged in service provision and enhancement, training and research.
The directors of Age Concern England have included David Hobman
, Sally Greengross
, and Gordon Lishman
.
In 1986 Age Concern established an Institute of Gerontology
at King's College London
into which it folded its own Age Concern Research Unit.
, Brian Cox and Ian McKellen
appeared in a series of TV advertisements to support the new charity. All three actors gave their time free of charge.
Tom Wright, the new charity's Chief Executive, stated "Age Concern and Help the Aged is a single organisation with one clear objective - to make a real difference to the lives of older people. By combining the unique strengths, skills and experience of our two great charities, we have created one united organisation that will be stronger and more influential than ever before."
, in which participating solicitors waive their usual fee to write a basic will and in exchange invite the client to donate to charity.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, formed on 25 February 2009, and launched on 1 April 2009, which combines the operations of the previously separate charities Age Concern
Age Concern
Age Concern was the banner title used by a number of charitable organisations specifically concerned with the needs and interests of all older people based chiefly in the four countries of the United Kingdom....
and Help the Aged
Help the Aged
Help the Aged was a United Kingdom based, international charity, founded in 1961 by Cecil Jackson-Cole, to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. It merged with Age Concern in 2009 to form Age UK.-Organisation and campaigns:...
to form the UK's largest charity for older people. The charity operated under its original charity names as "Age Concern and Help the Aged" until the new brand launch on 19 April 2010. It also includes separate but interdependent charities for the nations called Age Scotland
Age Scotland
Age Scotland is a registered charity in Scotland, formed on 1 April 2009 by the merger of Help the Aged in Scotland and Age Concern Scotland....
, Age Cymru and Age NI
Age NI
Age NI is a registered charity in Northern Ireland, formed in April 2009, which combines the operations of the previously separate charities Age Concern NI and Help the Aged in Northern Ireland to form Northern Ireland's largest charity for older people...
, as well as its commercial services arm, Age UK Enterprises.
The merger was the largest among charities in the UK since that of the Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial Cancer Research in 2002 to form Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer...
.
Structure
Age UK was formed from the merger of Help the Aged and Age Concern, creating an organisation with a combined income of around £160 million, including £47 million a year raised through fundraising, and over 520 charity shopCharity shop
A charity shop, thrift shop, thrift store, hospice shop , resale shop or op shop is a retail establishment run by a charitable organization to raise money.Charity shops are a type of social enterprise...
s, and income raised through its commercial services arm, Age UK Enterprises.
The merger was first confirmed in September, when Dianne Jeffrey was confirmed as the new chair of trustees.
Tom Wright CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
, previously chief executive of VisitBritain
VisitBritain
VisitBritain is the name used by the British Tourist Authority, the tourist board of Great Britain incorporated under the Development of Tourism Act 1969....
, and Trustee of the Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire...
was appointed Chief Executive of the new charity in November 2008.
Age UK Enterprises
Age UK Enterprises offers products and services that are designed to either address market failure and/or meet its objective of offering products that provide value for money - for example, none of its insurance products have upper age limits.Operating as a social enterprise, Age UK Enterprises’ product range currently includes: Travel, Home and Motor Insurance (provided by Ageas Insurance Limited); Motor Breakdown cover (provided by Europ Assistance Holdings Limited); Gas and Electricity, Funeral Plan, Annuities Service, Equity Release, Wills and Legal Services, Holidays, Lifebook and Personal Alarms.
Products and services can be purchased either online through Age UK’s website, by telephone, or through the UK-wide network of Age Concerns/Age UK offices.
Age Concern
Age Concern's origins are BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and can be traced back to a realisation in that country of the effects on aged people of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
; the dislocation and breakdown of family life arising out of conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
led to a recognition that existing poor law
Poor Law
The English Poor Laws were a system of poor relief which existed in England and Wales that developed out of late-medieval and Tudor-era laws before being codified in 1587–98...
s failed to provide effective support for old people separated from family support networks.
In 1940, the Old People’s Welfare Committee (OPWC), chaired by Eleanor Rathbone
Eleanor Rathbone
Eleanor Florence Rathbone was an independent British Member of Parliament and long-term campaigner for women's rights. She was a member of the noted Rathbone family of Liverpool.-Life:...
, was formed as a forum for discussion between government and voluntary organisations. OPWC was a sub-committee of Liverpool Personal Service Society
Liverpool Personal Service Society
Liverpool Personal Service Society is a UK charity covering North West England, Staffordshire, North Wales and Scotland. PSS provides a personal service and practical help tailored to meet the individual needs of people in their community...
(PSS). In 1944, the committee changed its name to the National Old People’s Welfare Committee (NOPWC), and took on responsibility for coordinating the activities of numerous local OPWCs.
From the 1950s onwards, NOPWC accessed government and local funds associated with the post-war development of the welfare state
Welfare state
A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
, to provide services to local committees, and training to wardens of old people's homes.
In 1971, under the direction of David Hobman
David Hobman
David Hobman, CBE was a British social activist, broadcaster and the first Director of Age Concern England.-External links:* Daily Telegraph obituary...
, the NOPWC changed its public name to Age Concern, and separated itself entirely from government and the National Council for Social Service, (now NCVO). It did so while also launching a 'manifesto for old age' and establishing itself nationally as a lobbying body as well as an organisation that engaged in service provision and enhancement, training and research.
The directors of Age Concern England have included David Hobman
David Hobman
David Hobman, CBE was a British social activist, broadcaster and the first Director of Age Concern England.-External links:* Daily Telegraph obituary...
, Sally Greengross
Sally Greengross, Baroness Greengross
Sally Greengross, Baroness Greengross is a British politician. Sally Greengross was raised to the peerage as Baroness Greengross, of Notting Hill in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in the year 2000....
, and Gordon Lishman
Gordon Lishman
Arthur Gordon Lishman CBE, known as Gordon Lishman is a British social activist, writer and former Director General of Age Concern England.-Career:...
.
In 1986 Age Concern established an Institute of Gerontology
Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging...
at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
into which it folded its own Age Concern Research Unit.
Help the Aged
Help the Aged was founded in 1961 by Cecil Jackson-Cole, with the aim to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.Branding
The two brand logos from the merged charities will gradually disappear now that the new Age UK brand has been launched (on 19 April 2010) and new brand-awareness develops during 2010. Hollywood stars Eleanor BronEleanor Bron
Eleanor Bron is an English stage, film and television actress and author.-Early life and family:Bron was born in 1938 in Stanmore, Middlesex, to a Jewish family of Eastern European origin...
, Brian Cox and Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen
Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He has received a Tony Award, two Academy Award nominations, and five Emmy Award nominations. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction...
appeared in a series of TV advertisements to support the new charity. All three actors gave their time free of charge.
Tom Wright, the new charity's Chief Executive, stated "Age Concern and Help the Aged is a single organisation with one clear objective - to make a real difference to the lives of older people. By combining the unique strengths, skills and experience of our two great charities, we have created one united organisation that will be stronger and more influential than ever before."
Fundraising
Age UK helps to fund, and is aided with funds raised by, the national will-making scheme Will aidWill Aid
Will Aid is a charity will-writing scheme designed to reinforce the need for everyone to have a professionally drawn-up will and to raise funds for the participating charities....
, in which participating solicitors waive their usual fee to write a basic will and in exchange invite the client to donate to charity.
External links
- Background to the Age Concern/Help the Aged merger a CommunityCare website article, (Retrieved 1 April 2009)
- Head to head: Help the Aged vs Age Concern Intelligent Giving website article. (Retrieved 1 April 2009)