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• 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 • 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 • 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 National Voluntary Organisations, working together with, and for older people in Wales. back to top 1. To represent the concerns and further the interests of older people in Wales to policy makers, strategic planners, and funders. 1. To create opportunities for networking, information sharing, and joint learning amongst members.
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.
CONTACT US AT: AAW Officer Age Alliance WalesTy John Pathy 13/14 Neptune Court Vanguard Way Caerdydd / Cardiff CF24 5PJ or phone: 029 2043 1544 or e-mail: malcolm.andrews@agecymru.org.uk
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