AGE CONCERN LUTON

We believe that age needs respect. It needs kindness. Sometimes it needs help. Because there is strength in numbers, Age Concern and Help the Aged have joined forces to become Age UK – so that we can be here for everyone in later life. The new organisation we created in April 2009 brings together almost 120 years of shared history of working with and for older people. In July 2000, organisations sharing the name Age Concern came together to work in a federation: a structure which reflected their independence and autonomy but also their interdependence.

Age Concern England, as the national federation member, worked alongside local Age Concerns and provided support and leadership in areas like campaigning and policy. In 2001, Help the Aged merged with Research into Ageing. The charity continued to build on its research and policy work, and in 2005 it took a new strategic direction, shifting its focus to disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged achieved great success with its campaigns: 27, 000 people pledged support for the campaign against elder abuse and the Just Equal Treatment campaign led to a government promise to end age discrimination. In 2006, Help the Aged launched Cows ‘n’ Things, an ethical gift range sold in support of the charity’s work overseas.

In 2007, it launched intune, a company specialising in financial products for the over-50s, and engage, a business network helping companies to become age-positive. On 1 April 2009, Age Concern England and Help the Aged joined together to create a new charity dedicated to improving later life for everyone. As of April 2010, we are now known as Age UK.