Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care
This year the UK’s theme for the International Day of Older People is Building belonging: Celebrating the power of our social connections. The National Survey for Wales shows that older people feel a greater sense of belonging in their communities than younger age groups. It also shows that 38% of people over 65 volunteer –the highest figure of any age group.
Today, we applaud the vital role that older people play in creating social connections with others; from a nod and a smile as we pass a stranger to nurturing and lasting relationships that develop through shared values and interests.
To maximise the impact of this social solidarity in Wales, I am pleased to announce funding of £1.1 million will continue to be split equally between local authorities in 2026 -27, for a post to champion an age friendly Wales. This funding has been in place since 2022 and across Wales Age Friendly Officers are empowering older people to take an active role in their local communities. The officers are also building strong connections with third sector organisations, leading to the creation of a range of local activities with and for older people.
For example, I recently met the Valeways Well-being Strollers to celebrate the ways older people in Barry are creating opportunities to make friends and enjoy gentle exercise. The group was developed in partnership with a volunteer led local third sector group ‘Valeways’ and the Vale of the Glamorgan Council’s Healthy Living Team. The Age Friendly Vale Officer has helped to set up more walking groups across the area.
Older people frequently ask for improved information about activities in their communities. By providing funding support to local authorities, Welsh Government has boosted the range of opportunities for older people to connect.
Welsh Government continues to lead the way in combatting ageism and developing innovative policy with and for older people. We published the Strategy for an Ageing Society in 2021, which aims to ‘build a Wales where ageism does not limit potential or affect the quality of services older people receive.’ We also established the world’s first Older People’s Commissioner in 2008. The fourth Commissioner, Rhian Bowen-Davies, continues to be a strong advocate of older people’s rights and is actively involved in creating an age friendly Wales.
Earlier this year, I funded Age Cymru to produce a video of older people challenging the negative portrayals of ageing that remain prevalent in society and can prevent older people from connecting with others and living a full life.
As one of the older people featured in the video says “I feel invisible, people tend to ignore you when you’re old.”
With so many people celebrating Older People’s Day in Wales, and across the world, I want to send a strong message that older people’s contributions need to be recognised and celebrated – everyone has value regardless of age or circumstance.