What we do

Our vision

A world in which older people flourish is a world in which older people will:

• be equal citizens with equal rights
• have enough money for a secure and decent life, and have access as consumers to the products and services they need at a price they can afford
• have access to the healthcare and social care they need
• have the opportunity to live healthier longer lives and to enjoy a sense of well-being
• live in homes and neighbourhoods that are safe and comfortable and which enable them to lead fulfilling lives
• have opportunities to participate and contribute as volunteers, active citizens, good neighbours, family members, and workers
• enjoy the benefits of longer life, wherever they are in the world.

Information and advice

Growing older doesn’t come with a manual, so if you need information or advice on anything from health to housing, call our free national information line on 0800 169 6565. It's open 365 days a year from 8am to 7pm.

We also publish impartial and informative factsheets and advice guides, policy papers and a range of books.

Campaigns

Public Policy, Public Affairs and our Campaigns teams raise awareness of the situation faced by many older people and keep ageing issues in the public eye and in parliament.

The issues we campaign on can vary, from calling for reform of the care system to trying to improve the bus route in our local community. Our campaigns offer lots of opportunities for us all to get involved and be heard by those who have the power to make our lives better.

Commercial products

Most of us want to remain independent, to live in our own home for as long as possible, and to keep doing the things in life that we love the most. We can offer you travel, motor and home insurance; funeral plans; gas and electricity packages; and aids for the home, such as stairlifts and personal alarms.

Training

We are a successful national training provider that reaches over 10,000 learners annually and offer services that have received recognition from Ofsted and the sector skills council Skills for Care. Our work involves the tailored provision of innovative learning solutions designed to address the needs of local people of all ages, professionals and employers throughout the UK and internationally. Specifically we offer:

• Apprenticeships, qualifications, short courses and skills development programmes for success at work, particularly in the social care and health sectors.
• Employment acquisition initiatives, ‘planning for retirement’ services and learning in later life.
• Specialist support for providers of services to people in later life.

Research

Age UK is the only UK charity to focus research funds exclusively on later life.

That's because we believe that we should all be able to enjoy good health in later life, free from the diseases and disabilities associated with growing older and the consequences that they can bring about, such as social isolation, anxiety, frailty and loss of independence.

The research we fund is providing answers and we've already seen significant breakthroughs in dementia, falls prevention, stroke and incontinence, to name a few.