Charities decide against merger

    Two leading older people’s charities in
    Northern Ireland have committed to a closer working relationship
    but will not merge.

    Age Concern Northern Ireland and Help the Aged
    (NI) decided at a meeting last month that the interests of older
    people were best served by maintaining the status quo. Each
    organisation will build on its individual key strengths while at
    the same time committing to greater collaboration and joint
    working.

    The meeting was held in response to an
    independent review of the work of both charities.

    Chairperson of Age Concern Dr James McKenna
    said: “We exist to ensure that real improvements to the lives of
    older people are being delivered.

    “It is important that the two major charities
    work together to promote their cause to government. This is
    particularly important with the advent of devolution.”

    A spokesperson for Help the Aged’s head office
    in London said that the two charities had decided that they could
    provide for older people’s needs better by working more closely
    together on policy and communication.

    However, a merger was not the preferred
    option, mainly due to the difference in structure between the two
    organisations.

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