BACKGROUND

• Age Alliance Wales (AAW) is the alliance of national voluntary organisations working, either exclusively or primarily, with and for older people in Wales.

• The Alliance was created as a result of devolution. It started with a few organisations that realised the importance to lobby and make representation to the new government in Wales about older people’s issues from a voluntary sector perspective. Consequently AAW was formally launched in January 2000 with the endorsement of the then First Secretary, the Rt Hon Alun Michael. AAW now has a membership of 20 organisations.

• Since its launch in January 2000 AAW has met with Assembly Members from the four political parties to discuss the key issues affecting older people and to explore, within this context, the views and policies held by the AMs and their respective parties.

• As a result of the sharing of professional expertise and effective collaboration of AAW members, the Alliance has now been recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) as well as by other bodies, such as the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) and Wales Council for Vuluntary Action (WCVA), as the appropriate forum for consultation on issues relating to ageing and the voluntary sector.

• The networking and information sharing role of the Alliance has provided a model of good practice that is being considered, or duplicated by many others (eg Scotland and Northern Ireland voluntary sectors).

• At the request of the Minister for Health and Social Services, an agreement of bi-annual meetings has been established where a number of national policy issues are discussed and debated.

• The Alliance has also been instrumental in supporting the establishment, and taking forward the work of the All Party Group on Older People, to which Age Concern Cymru acts independently as the Secretariat.

• Similarly, AAW has contributed to a number of Welsh Assembly Government consultation steering groups that include amongst others, commisssioning the National Service Framework for Older People. AAW was also a member of the steering group that prepared the “When I’m 64…and More” report that led to the Strategy for Older People. back to top

THE NEED

• Clearly the implementation of the Strategy for Older People across Wales has indicated that the        WAG recognises that the challenges facing older people in Wales are complex and wide-ranging, and that these can only be tackled by a robust, strategic, and unified approach.

• The voluntary sector in Wales is placed in an increasingly important role to meet the aspirations of Phase 2 of the Strategy. Consequently, AAW aims to engage with the WAG in a constructive partnership in order to build the positive framework against which older people in Wales can foster their self-determination and receive the treatment and services they need. back to top

THE CURRENT POSITION

• Alliance members elect a Chair and Vice Chair anually, and strategy funding enables the  employment of a full time Officer and part-time Assistant. Biannual meetings of the Chief Executives (CEO) and/or strategy makers of the member organisations is one of the key factors motivating and moving the Alliance in the right direction. This will be supported by task and finish sub-groups as determined by the CEO meetings, and a Steering Group (Chair, Vice Chair, AAW Officer, and a representative of a member organisation). A feature of these meetings is to receive presentations by invited speakers from the various sectors of Wales-based, as well as UK-wide agencies. back to top

MISSION STATEMENT

National Voluntary Organisations, working together with, and for older people in Wales. back to top

AIMS

1. To represent the concerns and further the interests of older people in Wales to policy makers, strategic planners, and funders.

2. To maximise the ability of each member organisation to fulfil their role of promoting the well being of older people.

3. To work with, and for, older people through the co-operative use of the knowledge and expertise contained within the membership of Age Alliance Wales. back to top

OBJECTIVES

1. To create opportunities for networking, information sharing, and joint learning amongst members.

2. To monitor trends and legislative measures affecting older people in Wales.

3. To respond, comment and make representation on strategies, policies, and consultation documents that impact on older people in Wales.

4. To identify and seek to address emerging issues affecting older people in Wales.

5. To produce relevant information for the Welsh Assembly Government, members of the Alliance, and other interested parties.

6. To seek opportunities to work in partnership to campaign proactively on behalf of older people.
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STANDING ORDERS

1. Age Alliance Wales (AAW) is an alliance of like-minded organisations and shall not seen to replace or supplicate the work of any of its members.

2. Membership is open to any national voluntary organisation in Wales that can demonstrate a commitment to the aims of AAW and a major involvement in working with older people.

3. Each year the members of the Alliance will elect from amongst themselves individuals to act as Chair and Vice Chair.

4. Requests for AAW representation on working groups, committees etc., or at conferences, events etc, will be considered by the Chair, Vice Chair, and AAW Officer. At times it may be appropriate to ask Alliance members to represent the Alliance. When representation has been agreed, the details will be circulated to members by the AAW Officer.

5. Members representing AAW will be expected to consult with other members, represent the views of AAW rather than of their own organisation, and provide feedback to the Chair/Vice Chair/AAW Officer for dissemination.

6. Letters, statements, or documents produced on behalf of AAW will normally be agreed at a meeting of the Alliance. In special circumstances, the Chair, Vice Chair and AAW Officer may give such approval provided the documents are circulated to members or reported asap.

7. Discussions concerning individuals, and/or individual organisations, will be strictly confidential.
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CONTACT US AT:

or phone:  029 2043 1544

or e-mail:  malcolm.andrews@agecymru.org.uk

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