Age NI
Encyclopedia
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. The charity operated under its original charity names as "Age Concern NI and Help the Aged in Northern Ireland" until the new brand launch on 26 March 2010. It also works interdependently with charities for the nations called Age Cymru, Age Scotland
and Age UK.
s.
Anne O'Reilly, previously Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission, was appointed Chief Executive of the new charity in April 2009. Her previous experience includes ten years as Director of Help the Aged in Northern Ireland, Chair of NICVA for six years, Chair of Engage with Age (an interagency community development partnership) and Director of Women’s Resource and Development Agency.
Age NI adopts shared governance as part of its organisational culture. This is to ensure those primarily affected by the decisions of the organisation are given the opportunity to be involved in the decision making process.
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
, Baroness Greengross, and Gordon Lishman
- the current Director General.
In 1986 Age Concern established an Institute of Gerontology
at King's College London
into which it folded its own Age Concern Research Unit.
Anne O'Reilly, the charity's Chief Executive, stated "By 2029, the number of over 60s here will increase to 600,000. Ageing is a global phenomenon. Age needs a voice in Northern Ireland and now it has one - Age NI."
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, formed in 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....
NI 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:...
in Northern Ireland to form Northern Ireland's largest charity for older people. The charity operated under its original charity names as "Age Concern NI and Help the Aged in Northern Ireland" until the new brand launch on 26 March 2010. It also works interdependently with charities for the nations called Age Cymru, 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....
and Age UK.
Structure
Age NI was formed from the merger of Age Concern NI and Help the Aged in Northern Ireland , creating an organisation with a combined income of around £5 million, raised through corporate partnerships, fundraising, public funding and 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.
Anne O'Reilly, previously Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission, was appointed Chief Executive of the new charity in April 2009. Her previous experience includes ten years as Director of Help the Aged in Northern Ireland, Chair of NICVA for six years, Chair of Engage with Age (an interagency community development partnership) and Director of Women’s Resource and Development Agency.
Age NI adopts shared governance as part of its organisational culture. This is to ensure those primarily affected by the decisions of the organisation are given the opportunity to be involved in the decision making process.
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...
, Baroness Greengross, 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:...
- the current Director General.
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 NI brand has been launched (on 26 March 2010) and new brand-awareness develops during 2010.Anne O'Reilly, the charity's Chief Executive, stated "By 2029, the number of over 60s here will increase to 600,000. Ageing is a global phenomenon. Age needs a voice in Northern Ireland and now it has one - Age NI."