Established in 1947, Age Concern Cymru has undergone many changes both in name and policy, but its principal aim of supporting older people in Wales has always remained the same.

1950s-1960s

Beginning life as the Old People’s Welfare Committee (part of the long established National Council of Social Service), the organisation focused on providing meeting places for older people and seeking training for care workers. However, with the sixties came new values and lifestyles. Older people developed a more dynamic image and the Committee responded by providing information services. From 1962, it changed its name several times, first to ‘Care of the Elderly’, then to ‘Committee for the Welfare of the Elderly in Wales and finally in 1969 to 'The National Council for the Care of the Elderly in Wales/Cyngor Cenedlaethol Henoed Cymru.'

1970s-1980s

By the early 1970s the charity had developed its direct services to include meals on wheels, chiropody and home help. It became independent from the Council of Social Service in 1976 and became known as Age Concern Wales/Cyngor Henoed Cymru. 1987 was ‘Year of the Elderly in Wales’. A resource library was established in 1989 and became the springboard for the information and policy initiatives developed in the next decades.

1990s-2000s

In 1990 the charity transferred all its direct services to local Age Concern organisations and has since concentrated on developing information and policy work and on campaigning.  In 1993 it coordinated activities for ‘European Year of Older People and Solidarity Between Generations’ in Wales and repeated the role in 1999 for the ‘International Year of Older Persons’.  The new Millennium saw Age Concern Cymru playing a pivotal role in development of the Strategy for Older People in Wales, particularly in ensuring the involvement of older people, and in more recent years the charity has developed into a leading voice for older people in equalities, diversity, elder abuse, and healthy ageing.

60th Anniversary History Book

For a more comprehensive history of Age Concern Cymru, published to celebrate our 60th anniversary, click on the links below.

English version
Welsh version