Tuesday 5 March 2013

Around 60 pensioners from across County Fermanagh gathered in the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen on Friday for the second of seven highly anticipated Pensioners Parliaments due to take place across Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.

All eager to make their voices heard on the problems they face at present, the County Fermanagh pensioners discussed and voted on issues such as making ends meet, health and social care and fear of crime.

The 2013 Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, which kicked off in Belfast in February, also offers pensioners the opportunity to put their questions to local politicians. The County Fermanagh Parliament saw Joe Byrne MLA, Tom Elliott MLA, Phil Flanagan MLA and Maurice Morrow MLA responding to questions from the floor.

The five remaining Parliaments, due to take place in the coming weeks, will be held in Ballymoney, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry, Strabane and Downpatrick – ensuring a platform for older people to make their voice heard in every county.

To view more photographs from the County Fermanagh Pensioners Parliament, just click HERE.

Thursday 21 February 2013

Age Sector Platform has criticised the Northern Ireland Executive for its lack of progress in tackling the issue of fuel poverty; prompted by provisional figures from this year’s NI Pensioners Parliament survey which suggest that ‘keeping warm in winter’ has remained the top concern of older people for the third year running.

As it embarks on its third year of the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, with the first parliament taking place in Belfast today, the charity is calling for the Executive to broaden its view on the issue, claiming that most initiatives announced by the Stormont Government tackle just one of the three strands that contribute to fuel poverty.

Patricia Donald, Chair of Age Sector Platform, said: “As we begin the third year of the Parliament here in Belfast, we must take stock of where we are and what we have achieved. Our survey shows that four out of five pensioners remain concerned about heating their home; however there remains little progress in tackling this serious matter. Most of the actions taken by our Stormont Executive have focussed on energy efficiency. Whilst these are welcome, they cannot solve fuel poverty alone and much more must be done to address low incomes and spiralling energy prices. We know that this is a challenging issue, but our Executive must have the courage to think outside the box, and strive to see solutions rather than obstacles.”

“Last winter the number of excess deaths in Northern Ireland was 496; all of whom were people aged over 65. The last time all excess winter deaths were older people was 14 years ago. It is clear that older people are being hit hardest by the rising cost of energy and the reduction to their incomes. Two years ago the UK government cut the Winter Fuel Payment by between £50 and £100. Last winter our Executive stepped in to make sure the most vulnerable were protected by awarding £100 to those on pension credit. This winter, no such payment has been made, and it’s no surprise that older people are asking why?”

“Today we are launching the 2013 Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, and issues such as pension reform, the transformation of our health and social care system and the rising cost of food will again take centre stage. During the next few months we will be travelling throughout the province listening intently to what the older population has to say, and I hope that our decision makers will be listening too!”

Following the Belfast Pensioners Parliament today, a number of ‘local parliaments’ will take place in the next few months and will be held in Enniskillen, Ballymoney, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry, Strabane and Downpatrick – ensuring a platform for older people to make their voice heard in every county.

Pensioners wishing to attend any of the upcoming parliaments should contact Age Sector Platform on 028 9031 2089 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . More information can be found at www.pensionersparliament.org.

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Age Sector Platform is looking for runners or walkers to take part in The Belfast Marathon, Walk, Relay or Fun Run on Monday 6 May 2013.

The money you raise will help Age Sector Platform improve the lives of older people in Northern Ireland by engaging with older people to identify the areas of concern to them; and supporting projects which will tackle these concerns.

We will support the efforts of runners and walkers as they raise awareness of Age Sector Platform and raise funds that will make a difference to the lives of older in Northern Ireland.

The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon offers participants several options for getting involved, including:

• A Marathon Run / WheelChair Marathon
• Marathon Relay
• 9 mile Marathon Walk
• 3 mile Fun Run
  

For more information about the Marathon or to register for one of the above events, please visit www.belfastcitymarathon.com before Friday 5 April 2013!

Once you’ve registered and have chosen Age Sector Platform as the charity for which you would like to fundraise, please contact us to let us know! Just ring 028 9031 2089 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

You can download your sponsorship form HERE, or phone 028 9031 2089 to request that a hard copy is posted to you. In addition, we suggest that you set up your own JustGiving page so that your friends may sponsor you online. Just click HERE to begin the process of setting up your own JustGiving page.

Thanks for your support!

Friday 18 January 2013

Issue 13 of aspire - Age Sector Platform's magazine - is now available to view online.

Inside this edition you can read about the launch of the 2012 NI Pensioners Parliament report at Stormont and find out more information about the 2013 Parliament. In addition, you will find news about a meeting with the Justice Minister, some useful ageing statistics from the 2011 Census, a report from our trip to Westminster and information on our exciting new online tool for the ‘Silver Saver’ campaign.

As always, there will be an article on one of our member groups and some fun stuff!

To view a digital copy of the magazine click HERE. Hard copies will be mailed to members, libraries, politicians and other interested bodies/individuals over the next few weeks.

If you are currently not receiving a hard copy of aspire and would like to request that you are added to the mailing list please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 028 9031 2089. Individuals aged 50 and over may receive a hard copy of the magazine three times a year as part of individual membership. Find out more about individual membership HERE.

Friday 16 November 2012

A report launched today has found that the biggest worry facing the older population here is keeping warm in winter, with four out of five pensioners in Northern Ireland concerned about the cost of heating their home.  

The 2012 Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament Report, launched by Age Sector Platform, also highlighted fear of crime, food prices and access to health and social care as major concerns for the older population.

Coinciding with the launch of the report, over 70 pensioners from across Northern Ireland will gather today in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings for a debate centred on three motions which have emerged from the Pensioners Parliament earlier this year.  The debate will be hosted by Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay MLA, and three Ministers from the Executive will be in attendance to officially respond to the motions.

“Last year the winter fuel payment was cut by between £50 and £100 for pensioners; and whilst the rest of the UK is assisted by a scheme entitling some pensioners to £130 off their electricity bill, the ‘Warm Home Discount scheme’ has not been introduced here.  Why does the region with the highest levels of pensioner poverty and fuel poverty provide less help to older people for heating their homes?”

Monday 1 October 2012

Issue 12 of aspire - Age Sector Platform's magazine - is now available to view online.

Inside this edition we have a report from Age Sector Platform’s sixth AGM held in September; including the address by guest speaker John Compton (Chief Executive of the Health & Social Care Board).  You can also read an update on the on-going ‘Silver Saver’ campaign, and learn more about the Platform’s Campaign Committees.

Also inside, you’ll find an article on the new community safety strategy, information on the next stage of the 2012 Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, an article on one of our member groups and, as always, some fun stuff!

To view a digital copy of the newsletter click HERE.  Hard copies will be mailed to members, libraries, politicians and other interested bodies/individuals over the next few weeks.

If you are currently not receiving a hard copy of aspire and would like to request that you are added to the mailing list please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 028 9031 2089.

Thursday 6 September 2012

Age Sector Platform has officially launched its groundbreaking campaign calling on food retailers to introduce a pensioner discount day to help older shoppers cope with the rising cost of living.  The campaign has been prompted by one of the most popular motions passed at the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament earlier this year.

Anne Watson from Age Sector Platform commented: “Having left the starting blocks over the summer, this campaign has already gained the support of over 1,000 people, and we are fully prepared for a marathon of a campaign.  Drastic increases in food prices, and the older population’s inability to keep pace, has meant affording the weekly shop is a constant worry for many older people.  At present, one in five pensioners in Northern Ireland is living in poverty.  Rising food prices will push even more older people towards this hardship line.”

Ms Watson continued: “It has been proven that older people spend a higher proportion of their income on food than any other age group; with someone over 75 spending almost twice as much on food than someone under 30.  This means older people are finding it harder to keep up with hikes in food prices, and why we are calling on food retailers to introduce a pensioner discount day to enable older people to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.”

Thursday 26 July 2012

A leading charity for older people in Northern Ireland has welcomed today’s launch of the new £20m community safety strategy and specifically its commitment to tackling the safety of older people.  Age Sector Platform, the charity responsible for the innovative Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, says that the need to tackle crime and fear of crime amongst older people is an urgent one; with specific actions required in the coming months and years.

Patricia Donald, Chair of Age Sector Platform, commented: “The launch of the strategy today is very welcome.  Earlier this year, as part of the 2012 Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, we conducted a survey with over 1,200 older people across the province; and were shocked to find that almost two out of three (65%) older people remain fearful of being a victim of crime.  They want to see this strategy making a real difference for them, and the action plan relating to the safety of older people will be key to achieving this.”

“We are happy to see that the Department of Justice has acknowledged the need to work in partnership with other departments, statutory bodies and the community/voluntary sector to succeed in making this strategy’s aims a reality.  We look forward to working with them to ensure the worries of older people remain a priority.”

Issue 11 of aspire - Age Sector Platform's newsletter - is now available to view online.

Inside this edition we have reports from the local Pensioners Parliaments held earlier this year, as well as a report from the 2-day Parliament on 22-23 May.  Also inside you’ll find an article on the ‘Granny Tax’ backlash, information on our new ‘Silver Saver’ campaign, and a variety of news stories featuring Age Sector Platform members and staff.  We also have some ‘Olympic Fun’ lined up in our ‘Fun Stuff’ pages!

To view a digital copy of the newsletter click HERE.  Hard copies have already been mailed to members, libraries, politicians and other interested bodies/individuals over the last few weeks.

If you are currently not receiving a hard copy of aspire and would like to request that you are added to the mailing list please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or phone 028 9031 2089.

Monday 28 May 2012

Last week, the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament discussed and voted on motions relating to, amongst other issues, the cost of food - following a significant announcement by the Consumer Council claiming that 9 out of 10 consumers in Northern Ireland are worried about the cost of their food and grocery shopping.  The findings come from research the consumer body is conducting, in partnership with Age Sector Platform, on the rising cost of household bills and how they’re impacting on people’s lives.  The Consumer Council is asking NI consumers to contribute to the research by answering a short online survey on what they think of their food costs. 

Speaking about the findings so far, Aodhan O’Donnell, Director of Policy and Education at the Consumer Council said:  “We are aware of work done in GB looking at how rising food costs are affecting consumers, but there hasn’t been any NI specific research.  Food and everyday household items are essential to a person’s quality of life and consumers in NI already endure some of the highest prices in the UK for petrol and diesel, energy and car insurance.  Consumers are voicing their concerns to us and this research will explore further how rising food and grocery costs are placing an additional strain on some household budgets.” 

“Although the research work is ongoing, initial findings also show that 96 per cent of consumers believe that their food and grocery bills are more expensive than they were a year ago and over 80 per cent of people have made changes to the way they shop, cook and eat as a direct response to higher prices.  The Consumer Council is making a plea for shoppers to help them with their research.”

You can access the online survey by clicking HERE.  Hard copies of the food diary are available to download from the Consumer Council website or by calling 0800 121 6022.