Happy birthday Age Cymru

A WELSH older people’s charity is celebrating its second birthday this Friday (1 April 2011).

Age Cymru was set up in April 2009 following the merger of Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales.

The charity’s Chief Executive Officer Robert Taylor OBE says:

“Age Cymru was established with a vision to help create ‘a world where older people can flourish’.

“We were aware that there was confusion among the public about the differences between Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales and the work that both those organisations actually did.

“So we felt it was important to clear up those issues and make life easier for the older people of Wales by creating a ‘one-stop shop’ older people’s charity.

”By bringing together the combined strengths of Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales we also founded Wales’s most influential and best informed older people’s charity.”

Robert Taylor adds:

“In the two years since we created Age Cymru, the team here has achieved significant milestones in improving the lives of older people across Wales.

“From research that has provided solutions to help eradicate elder abuse, to establishing a confidential, trusted and expert information and advice service for older people across Wales - the team at Age Cymru has worked hard.

Robert Taylor concludes:

“I am very proud of what Age Cymru has achieved in the two years since the charity was created, but this is not a time to rest on our laurels.

“Older people in Wales need a strong voice to work with them, to protect their interests and to speak up on their behalf.

“This is why Age Cymru will continue to work with older people’s groups and organisations across Wales to ensure that all older people are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.”