Membership of Older and Bolder

Third Age is represented on the board of Older & Bolder through Senior Help Line. Older & Bolder’s campaign began in 2006 when five organisations in the age sector came together to call for a government commitment to the development on a national strategy on ageing. The joint action was successful, and the 2007 Programme for Government incorporated a promise to develop a National Positive Ageing Strategy, (NPAS). With continued funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies, Older and Bolder has evolved as an alliance comprising eight members with shared vision and purpose.

The current member organisations are Active Retirement Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Older Women’s Network, Senior Help Line, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, The Carers Association, The Irish Hospice Foundation and The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament.

Older & Bolder’s vision is of an Ireland that affirms ageing, and the rights of all older people, enabling everyone to live and die with confidence and dignity as equal, respected and involved members of society. Older & Bolder values the role and diversity of older people in community

Older & Bolder seeks to combat ageism, support older people as active participants through its member organisations, to positively influence public opinion regarding ageing and older people, and promote an age-friendly society, where decisions regarding older people are informed by their expressed needs and evidence-based research. Older & Bolder’s autumn 2010 campaign is to Defend the State Pension through a public information campaign. The call is for no erosion of the state pension or secondary benefits in Budget 2011. Older & Bolder is asking all political parties to make a long-term commitment to a fair and secure state pension. The campaign has included a viral, national signature petition, outdoor campaign and web site viral.

Third Age has been actively involved in lobbying politicians at local level, by informing all Senior Help Line volunteers of the campaign, by encouraging them to attend Older & Bolder campaign meetings, and by organising the participation in the national petition at all Senior Help Line centres.