From Age Concern to Age UK: A History of Support
To fully answer the question of what does Age Concern UK do, one must first understand its evolution. The National Old People's Welfare Committee, which was first established in 1940, adopted the name Age Concern in 1971. This organization operated as a federation of independent local charities. In a significant move to create a stronger, unified voice for older people, the national body, Age Concern England, merged with the charity Help the Aged in 2009 to form Age UK. This new entity consolidated resources and amplified its ability to campaign and provide extensive services.
The National Body: Age UK
The national Age UK charity operates on a large scale, influencing policy, conducting research, and providing nationwide services. Their work is multifaceted, focusing on improving later life for everyone. The core functions include:
- Information and Advice: Age UK offers free, confidential, and impartial advice on a huge range of topics through its helpline and website. This includes guidance on money and benefits (including help with claiming benefits often overlooked), legal issues, housing options, care, and navigating health services. Their online resources, including factsheets and guides, are accessed by millions annually.
- Combating Loneliness: Loneliness and social isolation are critical issues for many older people. Age UK addresses this through several services, including their free national telephone friendship service and a partnership with The Silver Line, a 24-hour helpline for support and conversation.
- Advocacy and Campaigning: As a leading voice on aging, Age UK actively campaigns on issues that affect older people, such as ageism, pension fairness, and social care reform. They work with policymakers at local, national, and international levels to influence change and ensure older people's voices are heard.
- The Age UK Network: Age UK works in partnership with other national charities like Age Scotland, Age Cymru, and Age Northern Ireland, as well as a large network of over 120 independent local Age UKs. This network ensures that both national campaigns and hyper-local support are available across the country.
The Local Touch: Independent Age Concerns
While the national organization is Age UK, many local Age Concern organizations still exist and operate as independent charities. These local branches provide community-driven, tailored support based on the specific needs of their area. This ensures that help is accessible and relevant to the people who live there.
Services offered by local Age Concerns or local Age UKs often include:
- Befriending services, which may be face-to-face visits or regular phone calls.
- Day centres offering social activities and hot meals.
- Handyperson services for small jobs around the home.
- Computer and IT training to help older people get online.
- Exercise and social activities, such as walking groups or lunch clubs.
- Transport services to help with trips to appointments or social events.
- Support for carers and people living with dementia.
How to Access Support from Age UK and Local Age Concerns
For anyone seeking help for themselves or an older loved one, knowing how to navigate the system is important. The process is straightforward:
- Start with the National Advice Line: Call the Age UK Advice Line at 0800 678 1602. This is a free, confidential service open 365 days a year. Advisers can offer support on a range of issues and signpost you to other resources.
- Check the Website: Visit the Age UK website to access their extensive library of factsheets and guides, covering everything from benefits to health. This is an excellent starting point for information gathering.
- Find Your Local Service: Use the "in your area" search tool on the Age UK website to find the closest Age UK or independent Age Concern branch. They can provide direct, local support and information on their specific services.
- Use The Silver Line: If loneliness or isolation is the primary concern, The Silver Line offers a 24-hour helpline at 0800 4 70 80 90, providing friendship and support around the clock.
Age Concern vs. Age UK: A Comparison
To clarify the relationship, here is a comparison of the former Age Concern England and the current national organization, Age UK.
| Feature | Age Concern England (Pre-2009) | Age UK (Post-2009) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | A national federation of local charities. | A single national charity created by a merger with Help the Aged. |
| Reach | National reach through a federation model. | National reach with a unified branding and strategy. |
| Local Link | Supported independent local Age Concerns. | Works with both affiliated local Age UKs and independent Age Concerns. |
| Services | Provided services through its federation members. | Offers comprehensive national and local services under one name. |
| Primary Function | A national lobby and service provider. | A powerhouse of services, advocacy, and campaigning. |
Conclusion: A Continued Commitment to Senior Welfare
While the name Age Concern UK is no longer the national standard, the mission and commitment to supporting older people have been carried forward and strengthened by Age UK. From providing crucial information and advice to campaigning for policy change and directly combatting loneliness through befriending services, Age UK ensures that the needs of older people remain a national priority. The network of independent local charities, many of which still bear the Age Concern name, continues this legacy at a community level. Those looking for help can be confident that a robust and caring support system is in place, ready to provide assistance on a wide range of issues. For further reading and comprehensive information on all services, visit the official Age UK website at Age UK website.
