Age Concern

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Image:Ac logo pms.gif Age Concern is a federation of over 400 charitable organisations (NGO's) specifically concerned with the needs and interests of all older people - those over the age of 50 - based chiefly in the United Kingdom.

As well as providing practical support at a local level, Age Concern campaigns on issues such as age discrimination and pensions, and works to influence public opinion and government policy about older people.

Age Concern's origins are British 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 laws failed effectively to support 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. 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 the NOPWC changed its name to Age Concern, and separated itself entirely from government.

Over the last half of the twentieth century, numerous Age Concern organisations have been established, working at local and national levels; England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each has separate charitable organisation working under the Age Concern banner.

Similar organisations exist in New Zealand, Spain, the Ukraine, and elsewhere. There is a strong international network considered to be one of the leading authorities on aging related issues.

In 1986 Age Concern established an Institute of Gerontology at King's College London.

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