, 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.
