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Strictly embargoed until 00.01 hours Monday 19 May2003
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Age Concern initiative set to ensure voices ofblack and minority ethnic elders influence change
Minority ethnic groups arethe fastest ageing groups within the population: by 2030, it is projected thatthe minority ethnic elder population will have increased tenfold from 175,000to 1.7 million,[i] yet manysuffer poor health, live in inadequate housing and experience low incomes evenmore commonly than other pensioners.
Leaders of the UKs blackand minority ethnic (BME) communities will today join Age Concern England toofficially launch a national forum aimed at improving the lives of BME eldersall over the country.
Photographers please note: there will be anopportunity for pictures inside the Commonwealth Club at 1pm followingspeeches, as Trevor Phillips, the new Chair of the Commission for RacialEquality, meets actor Saeed Jaffrey, Gordon Lishman, Director General of AgeConcern England and older people from BME communities.
Trevor Phillips, Chair ofthe Commission for Racial Equality, will speak alongside government minister Maria Eagle,representing the Department of Work and Pensions and one of Britainsbest-loved actors; Saeed Jaffrey. HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron, Age Concern,is supporting the initiative.
Gordon Lishman, DirectorGeneral of Age Concern England said:
Many older people from BME communities have a highneed for health care, yet report even worse services than others. This can bebecause of language and cultural barriers, a lack of awareness of social andpublic service, social isolation and racism. This forum will play a crucialrole in enabling real and lasting change to policy and existing services,making a difference to the lives of older people in our increasingly diverseageing population. As the leading charity representing all older people, AgeConcern is well placed to do this.
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The speakers will tell a200-strong audience about the need for immediate action and call on individualsand organisations big and small, working with older BME people; in communitygroups, charities or support networks throughout the country, to join forcesand use the forum to create the change that is urgently needed.
Trevor Phillips said:
The discrimination and disadvantage that someethnic minority groups face earlier in their lives for instance income levels,housing and health care, can have a detrimental effect on their quality of lifein later years.
Therefore not only must we consider the needs ofour ageing ethnic population, we must also continue to tackle agediscrimination among younger ethnic minority communities so they do not facethe same prospect when they reach old age. The CRE wholeheartedly welcomes this initiative and looks forward toworking in partnership with Age Concern.
Work and Pensions MinisterMaria Eagle said:
Unfortunately it is still the case that some ofthe poorest pensioners in Britain are from ethnic minority groups. Numerousfactors such as race discrimination in employment, language and culturalbarriers continue to force BME pensioners into poverty.
From October 2003, around half of all pensionerhouseholds stand to benefit from the introduction of pension credit. In orderto raise awareness of it, we will be running a series of take-up events and weencourage BME elders to attend.
ActorSaeed Jaffrey, said:
A lot of Asian people in this country still thinkthat getting old is the end of the world. It is not. My advice to older peopleis not to feel sorry for yourself; get out, keep yourself busy, stay in contactwith old friends and make new ones. Use opportunities like this forum to meetpeople. I am delighted to lend my support to the launch and strongly encourage olderpeople to seize the opportunity to get involved.
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Notes toeditors:
The Blackand Minority Ethnic Elders Forum was established in 2002 with the support ofAge Concern England. It aims to achieve tangible change and real improvementsto the lives of black and minority ethnic elders in England.
Existingrepresentation on the Forum includes members of the UK Confederation of IndianOrganisations, The Black Londoners Forum, Asian People with DisabilitiesAlliance, The Greek Cypriot Community of Enfield, Dudley Racial EqualityCouncil and the West Indian Standing Conference.
Radio producers please note: Age Concern offers an ISDN radiofacility.
PR16SH/08/05/03