Charity warns one in three over-50s struggling with costs, healthcare delays and digital exclusion

AGE CYMRU has launched a manifesto calling on political parties to tackle what it describes as “the crisis people don’t see” facing older people across Wales ahead of the Senedd elections in May.

The national charity for older people says rising living costs, pressure on NHS and care services, poor transport links and digital exclusion are leaving many pensioners struggling day-to-day and feeling increasingly isolated.

By 2030, more than 1.3 million people in Wales will be aged over fifty – around forty per cent of the population.

But despite making up a growing share of the country, the charity says too many older people are being “pushed to the margins”.

Age Cymru’s annual survey found nearly half (46%) of older people struggled with the cost of living in the past year, with sixty-two per cent cutting back on essentials such as heating and food.

Access to healthcare is also deteriorating. Half of respondents said they had difficulty securing GP appointments, with waits of four weeks or more now common. More than half of those seeking social care described the process as difficult or very difficult.

Digital exclusion is another growing concern. Thirty-one per cent of people aged over seventy-five in Wales have no internet access at home – roughly double the UK average – meaning many cannot easily access services that have moved online.

Manifesto demands

The charity is calling on the next Welsh Government to deliver seven key changes:

• Easier access to health services
• Timely, quality social care
• Action on pensioner poverty
• Reliable public transport
• Stronger community connections and Equality Act compliance
• Offline access to services for those without digital skills
• Support to keep homes warm

Real lives affected

For Terry Lemington, 72, from South Wales, the problems are personal.

While caring for his late wife, he said he was unaware of support he could have received until just ten weeks before she died.

“It wasn’t until ten weeks before my wife passed away that I was told I could have had additional support to help me care for her,” he said.

“That included a stairlift, which in the end was due to be fitted on the day she passed away. I just wasn’t aware of the support that was available.”

Terry, who does not drive, says limited bus services leave him cut off.

“There are hourly buses to larger towns and a small village bus, but they finish at mid-day on Saturday and there is nothing on Sunday. I’m completely cut off,” he added.

“Right now it feels like older people are pushed to the margins. But we still have so much to contribute.”

Economic impact

Victoria Lloyd, Chief Executive of Age Cymru, said the issue was not only moral but economic.

“These stories are sadly all too common,” she said.

“Older people contribute around £2 billion a year to the Welsh economy, whether through paid work, childcare for families or volunteering.

“Investing in the health and wellbeing of older people is an investment in Wales as a whole.”

She added that while the Welsh Government’s Age Friendly Wales strategy had made progress, more decisive action was needed.

“We’re calling on all parties seeking votes this year to read our manifesto and ensure older people are properly considered in their policies and promises.”

Independent Haverfordwest store backs lifesaving crews with year of community fundraising

A WEST WALES department store has raised more than thirteen thousand pounds for a lifesaving emergency service after a packed year of community fundraising.

Staff at Vincent Davies Department Store collected £13,682 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, after voting the organisation their Charity of the Year for 2025.

The independent retailer organised events throughout the year, including an Easter bingo, bake sales, quizzes, raffles, staff sales, Christmas jumper days and a festive wreath-making workshop. Charity jam jars placed in Café Vincent also helped gather steady donations from customers.

One of the most popular attractions was the store’s charity singing penguin trio, which drew smiles from shoppers of all ages and boosted collections.

Sarah John, Joint Managing Director at Vincent Davies, said: “Raising £13,682 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity is something we are extremely proud of at Vincent Davies Department Store. As a director, it’s wonderful to see our community come together to support a charity that makes such a lifesaving difference.”

The air ambulance is consultant-led, delivering hospital-level treatment directly at the scene of serious incidents and, when needed, transferring patients straight to the most appropriate specialist hospital.

Working in partnership with the NHS through the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, crews can provide advanced critical care including anaesthesia, blood transfusions and even minor surgical procedures before reaching hospital.

Operating across the whole of Wales, its teams travel the length and breadth of the country by helicopter and rapid response vehicle to reach patients quickly in both rural and urban areas.

This is not the first time the Haverfordwest store has backed the cause. In 2016, staff previously raised £5,831 when the charity was also chosen as their beneficiary.

Mike May, the charity’s West Wales Regional Fundraising Manager, said: “We are so grateful to Vincent Davies Department Store for raising an incredible amount for our charity. Throughout the year they put on a variety of different events and what a successful fundraising year it was.

“The charity needs to raise £13 million every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. By raising £13,682, the staff and customers have played an important part in saving lives across Wales.”

The store says it will announce its Charity of the Year for 2026 in the coming weeks.

New perinatal service aims to help families cope with the pressures of early parenthood

NSPCC CYMRU has launched a new perinatal support programme aimed at helping expectant and new parents across Wales navigate the challenges of caring for a baby.

The Baby Steps service, a redeveloped early-intervention programme, is designed to give parents the tools, confidence and emotional support needed during pregnancy and in a child’s first months of life.

The service was officially launched this week at an event held at BT headquarters in London, attended by The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is a Patron of NSPCC, alongside childcare professionals and public figures.

Baby Steps will initially be piloted through three NSPCC hubs, including the Wales hub, placing Cymru at the forefront of the charity’s rollout of the service.

Carl Harris, Assistant Director for the NSPCC Wales hub, said the evidence-based programme could make a significant difference to families during a crucial stage of a child’s development.

He said: “The early stages of a baby’s life can feel daunting for parents, as they face new challenges every day while trying to give their child the best possible start.

“It is a critical time for a child’s development, and perinatal services like Baby Steps can offer enormous support to help parents through what is an exciting, but sometimes very difficult, period.

“NSPCC Cymru is proud to be leading the way in rolling out this service and supporting parents and children across Wales.”

Figures released alongside the launch highlight the scale of need. During 2024/25, the NSPCC Helpline referred more than 3,800 children under the age of two to external agencies across the UK, including police and social services. This represented almost one fifth (18%) of all referrals made by the Helpline on behalf of a child during the year.

One father who contacted the service described the pressures faced by new parents, saying: “We just can’t get our baby into a routine. It’s been eight weeks, we’re new to parenting and have different opinions, and then our friends all have different advice. It’s causing major arguments and nothing’s working.”

In addition to Baby Steps, the NSPCC website offers a wide range of guidance for parents and carers, including advice on bonding with babies and raising children safely.

Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said the charity was pleased to mark the launch with a royal visit.

He said: “It’s always a privilege to be part of a Royal visit, and we were delighted that HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh was able to join us to celebrate our Baby Steps service.

“As our Helpline data shows, the first couple of years of a child’s life can be an extremely difficult time for parents. Our Helpline regularly hears from parents struggling with the pressures of a newborn, as well as from concerned members of the community.

“The Baby Steps service provides essential building blocks to help parents navigate the earliest stages of their child’s life and ensure they thrive. Any parent or carer who needs support or advice can always contact the NSPCC Helpline.”
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