Ministerial Advisory Forum on Ageing meeting minutes: 28 January 2026

Professor John Williams: Academia, Aberystwyth University
Professor Paul Willis: Academia, Cardiff University
Barry Stephens: Active Wales
Vicki Lloyd (VL): Age Cymru, Chair 
Faye Patton (FP): Care and Repair Cymru
Andrew Hinchliffe: Cymru Older People’s Alliance (COPA)
Cllr Leo Thomson: Local Authority Age Friendly Network Cardiff Council
Nicola Pitman: Local Authority Age Friendly Network Cardiff Council  
Cllr Hayley Gwilliam: Local Authority Age Friendly Network Swansea Council
David McKinney: Office of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
Dilys Jouvenat: Older Person’s Representative
Lyn Cadwalladr: One Voice Wales (Town & Community Councils)
Catherine Sharp: Public Health Wales
Karen Hughes: Public Health Wales
Stewart Blythe: Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
Dawn Jeffery: Welsh Women’s Aid
Anthony Jordan: Welsh Government
Rachel Lewis (RL): Welsh Government
Emma Harney: Welsh Government
Nik Cilia: Welsh Government

Formal apologies

Brian Godsell: National Pensioners Convention
Rachel Luxton: Older Person’s Representative
Jim McManus: Public Health Wales
Amal Beyrouty: Women Connect First

The meeting opened with a reminder that the session was being recorded and transcribed solely to produce minutes. the recording will be deleted once the meeting note is finalised.

It was confirmed that all but one of the actions from the previous meeting have been completed and will be discussed this morning. The remaining action for a planned discussion between Active Wales and Women Connect First has been delayed but is expected to take place next week. 

Officials summarised feedback from a recent discussion with the Big Lottery. It was advised that current proposal does not meet all the grant criteria, therefore the application will be paused to consider a different approach. 

It is proposed to develop a pilot scheme with local older people’s groups in 4 to 5 local authority areas. Groups will be asked to submit an EOI identifying a specific form of ageism to address.  

It was suggested that the pilot could draw on survey data from Public Health Wales to help identify the most important issues. (The research commissioned from Cardiff University in 2025 will also inform this stage of the work). 

Housing working group update

The group has been discussing health and housing links, independent living and adaptations, affordability and security, planning and placemaking, and pressures in social housing. 

Next steps include working with Welsh Government officials to build age‑friendly ideas into planning policy and inviting design and academic experts to advise on placemaking and housing design. The group will also consider the findings of the previous reports on housing an ageing population.

Action

• Welsh Government officials to reconvene the Ageism Working Group in February to discuss proposal to develop a pilot
• Public Health Wales colleagues to explore and share relevant survey data
• WG officials to schedule the next subgroup meeting (expected February to March) and issue invitations to planning colleagues and expert contributors

Proposals were presented to strengthen MAFA’s membership and structure. Attendance has been inconsistent during the past 12 to 18 months, and some local authority representation has lapsed following staffing changes.

The group discussed improving representation from diverse backgrounds (including disabled people) and enhancing health‑sector input. Barriers to digital participation for some older people were noted and options such as multiple local participation hubs and hybrid access were discussed.

Action

• Welsh Government officials will consider suggested actions to develop a MAFA Development Action Log, update the Terms of Reference to reflect any changes and circulate for comments

The MCSC updated members on the evaluation of the age-friendly funding to local authorities, highlighting progress with the Strategy for an Ageing Society since its launch in 2021. This includes investment to establish local age‑friendly officers and partnerships, broad participation across activities, events and support for healthy ageing activities. The Minister also noted that this work has received international recognition.

The evaluation highlighted several ongoing challenges such as rural isolation, transport barriers, digital exclusion and low awareness of services. The importance of maintaining momentum following a potential change in Government was emphasised.

There was a presentation by Cardiff Council which showcased collaborative working between the Age-friendly Lead and Age-friendly Champion which highlighted that to maintain a good working relationship there was regular structured planning, a refreshed WHO‑approved action plan, and innovation projects (for example, sexual‑health awareness for older adults and multilingual dementia‑prevention resources).

The use of newsletters, local forums and coordinated communications were also described, with acknowledgement that widening attendance remains a priority.

Action

• Welsh Government officials to arrange a dedicated session with MAFA members and local authorities to explore the evaluation findings in more detail

Welsh Government officials set out plans to refresh the annual delivery plan under the Strategy for an Ageing Society, incorporating evaluation learning and sharpening priorities (including a stronger emphasis on digital inclusion).

Members suggested integrating insights from new bi‑monthly surveys of older people which are being introduced by Cymru Older People’s Alliance (COPA).

Action

• update the current delivery plan across Welsh Government and convene a separate Working Group to discuss next refreshed delivery plan

There was a suggestion to utilise GP surgery information screens to share local age‑friendly activities (for example, warm spaces, group sessions) and reach older residents, particularly where local print media is limited.

Public health representatives agreed to raise this with primary care colleagues.

Action

• Public Health Wales colleagues to explore coordinated information‑sharing via GP practice screens

The Chair noted substantial work ahead across the ageism project development, housing subgroup activity, evaluation follow‑up, the delivery plan refresh and the membership review.

Action

• Welsh Government officials to prepare a consolidated MAFA work plan covering these strands for future meetings