A Cross-Island Commitment: Advocating for Older Islanders with MPs Richard Quigley & Joe Robertson

A Cross-Island Commitment: Advocating for Older Islanders with MPs Richard Quigley & Joe Robertson

With the Isle of Wight now split into two distinct parliamentary constituencies, ensuring that older residents have a strong, unified voice in Westminster has never been more important. Recently, Age UK Isle of Wight was delighted to welcome both of our local MPs—Richard Quigley (Isle of Wight West) and Joe Robertson (Isle of Wight East)—to discuss the unique challenges facing our older population and the vital work we do to support them.

These meetings provided a crucial opportunity to showcase our frontline preventative services, from dementia support and digital inclusion to our Good Neighbour Scheme. We engaged in candid discussions about the pressing issues impacting our community, including the ongoing social care crisis, the rising cost of living, and the absolute necessity of sustainable funding to ensure no older Islander is left to age alone. By working closely with both of our MPs, we are reinforcing our cross-Island commitment: advocating for a future where every older person on the Isle of Wight is respected, valued, and supported to live independently.

Welcoming Richard Quigley MP (Isle of Wight West)

In late January, we were delighted to welcome Richard Quigley and his office manager, Max Nicol, to our new offices in St Thomas' Square. Richard met with our Chief Officer Maria Bunce, Chair of Trustees Lorraine Buckman, and our Charity President Nick Hayward to learn more about the practical help and guidance we provide to residents over 50.

A major focus of this meeting was the sheer, growing demand for our preventative services and the reality of our funding model. Many people don't realize that while we share a brand with the national Age UK organization, we rely solely on generating our own funding and we don't we receive funds from the Age UK charity shops on the Island. Richard was highly receptive to this, noting how important it is for the community to understand that we must raise all our own funds to keep our local services running. He emphasized his commitment to supporting our work as we navigate the increasing need for sustainable funding in a followup meeting our Marketing and Digital Communication Officer Joe Hodgkinson had at Richard's constituency office.

Welcoming Joe Robertson MP (Isle of Wight East)

Following Richard's visit, we were equally pleased to host Joe Robertson in mid-February. Joe sat down with Lorraine and Maria, as well as our Marketing and Digital Communications Officer, Joe Hodgkinson, to see firsthand the impact our team has on mitigating the daily challenges faced by older Islanders.

During his visit, we discussed our frontline efforts to tackle isolation and loneliness, alongside the everyday support that empowers older people to meet their needs with dignity. Joe praised the remarkable scale and variety of support we offer as a fully independent local charity, reiterating the message that every single pound raised for Age UK Isle of Wight stays right here on the Island. 

He described the meeting as "incredibly helpful" and expressed a strong desire to work closely with us in the future to ensure our older residents are fully supported.

How You Can Help Us Continue This Vital Work

Advocating for our older residents at a parliamentary and constituency level is a crucial part of what we do, but the day-to-day delivery of our lifeline services relies entirely on the generosity of our local community. As both Richard and Joe highlighted during their visits, Age UK Isle of Wight is a 100% independent local charity. Every single penny we raise stays right here on the Island to support your friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

As demand for our services continues to grow, we need your support now more than ever to ensure no older Islander is left to struggle alone. Here is how you can make a real difference today:

• Make a Donation: Whether it is a one-off gift or a regular monthly contribution, your donation directly funds our frontline preventative services and support networks. Make a donation to Age UK Isle Of Wight

• Become a Volunteer: Give the gift of your time! From our Good Neighbour Scheme to helping out at our events, our volunteers are the heartbeat of our charity. Volunteer Opportunities

• Spread the Word: Share this article with your network to help us raise awareness about the realities of aging on the Isle of Wight and the fact that our local branch relies entirely on local funding. 

If you or someone you know is over 50 and needs support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team today. You can call us on  01983 525282 or email info@ageukiw.org.uk.