The Pensioners Trust: investing in everyone’s future

Charity calls on businesses and individuals to help improve the lives of older people.

‘Our today is your tomorrow’ was the message put forward by a prominent older people’s charity as it launched the Pensioners Trust, a unique fund set up to engage with older people and support projects that will improve their lives.

Age Sector Platform, the charity responsible for the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament, claims that extra resources are needed to properly address the concerns currently facing the older population in Northern Ireland.

Michael Monaghan from Age Sector Platform commented: “We have reached a crossroads at which we must decide how future generations will live their later years. Government has the lead role in supporting people as they grow older. However, with reduced government spending and an increasing number of older people, it is everyone’s responsibility to invest in a future where older people are not worried about keeping warm in winter, fear being a victim of crime, or feel lonely.”

“We are calling on businesses and individuals to help ensure that the problems facing pensioners today will not continue to be worries for future generations. The Pensioners Trust is about investing in everyone’s future; regardless of gender, religion or race. We hope that in the years to come the Pensioners Trust will produce huge dividends for future generations of pensioners.”

“Although the Pensioners Trust will rely on donations from individuals, we believe it provides a unique opportunity for the business community here in Northern Ireland. As a relatively young charity with a small staff team, we are passionate about channelling funds so that real outcomes are achieved. Having established the Northern Ireland Pensioners Parliament during the last few years, older people and their views are at the heart of all that we do.”

“Over the coming months we are keen to meet with any business that has an interest in supporting the Pensioners Trust. Whether it’s making us your charity of choice, or sponsoring one of our events or campaigns, we want to hear how you can help.”

As part of the launch of the Pensioners Trust, Age Sector Platform introduced its new charity patrons: Member of the House of Lords Baroness May Blood MBE and writer and broadcaster Malachi O’Doherty.

Baroness May Blood MBE commented: “I am delighted to become a champion for Age Sector Platform and its work. Ensuring the voice of older people is heard and acted upon is more important than ever before. We must harness the voting power of the older generation to influence government and policy-makers: those who can make a real difference to the lives of older people here in Northern Ireland.”

Malachi O’Doherty commented: “I am proud to have been invited to be a patron of Age Sector Platform. In recent years,

I have had the pleasure of meeting several older people involved in the charity and know how passionate they are about tackling issues such as fuel poverty, fear of crime and health and social care.

I think it is important that older people have a voice and that their voice is heard.”

For more information on the Pensioners Trust, visit www.pensionerstrust.org, email: partnerships@agesectorplatform.org or phone 028 9031 2089.