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.