Ministerial Advisory Forum on Ageing meeting minutes: 12 March 2025

Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care
Rachel Lewis, Head of Older Peoples Rights
Victoria Lloyd, Chair MAFA
Mary Wimbury
Andrew Lock
Nik Cilia
Andrew Lucas
Dawn Jeffrey
Dilys Jouvenat
Fay Patton
Hayley Gwilliam
Hazel Jones
John Williams
Peter Walters
Rachel Bowen
Tanya Harrington
Barry Stephens
Leonora Thomson
Sarah Capstick
Suzanne Kearsley-Evans

Chair opened the meeting and welcomed members.

The Minister for Children and Social Care highlighted population growth, with an estimated 1 million people aged 60 and over by 2031 and the importance of tackling ageism and promoting older people’s rights.

Intersectionality is an issue to address when addressing ageism. MAFA are key to this work and we need to work collectively as we move this agenda forward. Also important to work with the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefynydd and Chief Whip to raise awareness in line with other forms of discrimination.

Update on ageism working group

The ageism working group has met 4 times and conversations have been wide ranging. However, due to current funding pressures on Welsh Government and statutory services, it is important to be realistic about how the group can achieve their ambitious aims for a national conversation. The group agreed that alternative funding sources, such as the Big Lottery Fund, should be considered. (Big Lottery is funding the Age without Limits campaign delivered by the Centre for Ageing Better). The group is also keen to scope out whether Northern Ireland and Scotland could take part in this work as a 3 nations approach would broaden the campaign’s impact.

Feedback from engagement 

Victoria Lloyd provided an update on the findings from the ageism focus groups facilitated by Age Cymru at the end of 2024. A report will shortly be shared with members but key points made by older people include:

• challenges: perception of age, negative stereotyping, signage, media portrayal
• what may work: positive imagery (Age Cymru has a free picture library), intergenerational work and skill sharing (particularly digital) engagement
• environmental challenges: footpaths, transport, building accessibility
• institutional barriers and ageist language need to be addressed

Members thoughts on ageism work 

The following key points were noted:

• many groups and organisations may fold if not for older volunteers, which can challenge the narrative that older people are a drain on society
• childcare: people aged 60 and over are double caring for grandchildren and elderly parents
• we need to celebrate all the unpaid work older people do
• older people need to challenge ageist narrative and language
• the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities is a useful tool for developing thinking
• co-production, partnership and intergenerational work is valuable
• the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee recently led an inquiry into older people's rights and the Older People's Commissioner gave evidence. The report references the age-friendly work in Wales
• Swansea local authority is looking at whole life regulations for new home building and co-producing a programme of activities with older people including intergenerational myth busting
• Rachel Bowen asked whether the Minister for Children and Social Care (MCSC) would write to IPSO regarding their editor's code which does not mention age along with other protected characteristics. The Older People's Commissioner's new strategy and work plan will include ageism

Actions

• contact Victoria Lloyd if members have groups interested in being photographed for the photo library or being filmed
• engage age-friendly communities champions and cabinet members in the ageism agenda

The Minister for Children and Social Care responded by noting all the positive work already underway and stating that she is keen to learn from and roll out good practice to avoid a postcode lottery of access to services across Wales. Intergenerational activity is a positive way to challenge stereotypes about old and young people and should be encouraged.

The following key points were noted:

• members welcomed the plan and proposal to introduce guidance for professionals dealing with cases of self neglect
• older people often suffer abuse in silence, all facets of abuse are widespread and often missed
• issues relating to consent and capacity can make dealing with cases of abuse more complex, there is a need to safeguard older people suffering abuse who may have diminished mental capacity. Hazel Jones responded that a duty to act is in place however current legislation needs to be deciphered by multidisciplinary teams
• Hazel Jones is reconvening the task and finish group on self neglect which aims to draft new guidance

Actions

• have a specific housing agenda item with correct policy lead at a future MAFA meeting

Welsh Government is holding an event with banks, councillors, and third sector organisations to discuss cash access. Key points raised included:

• spending cash itself is an issue, with a question about whether Welsh Government could provide grants to businesses to accept cash payments
• changes to bus routes or withdrawal of services can limit access to cash
• the Post Office should promote its banking services to older people
• the Financial Conduct Authority has new powers to protect access to cash when the last bank closes in an area, but not in areas where all banks have already closed
• more people are using cash to manage their budgets due to rising cost of living (Citizens Advice advises people in debt to cut up their credit cards)
• banking hubs are a good solution but should have a separate room for private conversations
• access to free ATMs is an issue

Actions

• MAFA members attending banking event to feedback at next meeting

Cardiff University has successfully applied for an 8 week intern who will carry out research into the prevalence of ageism in Wales to support a future bid to the Big Lottery Fund. 

Subject areas for consideration at future meetings:

• transport
• banking
• cost of living
• health
• social care

Officials to look at the possibility of a future hybrid meeting of MAFA members.