New training courses to help older people recognise and challenge ageism in Wales

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has announced that she is delivering a new series of training sessions to help older people to recognise and challenge ageism and age discrimination.

The training sessions will help participants to identify ageism and age discrimination in a range of settings – such as the workplace, health, care and other services, and within the media – as well as exploring the ways that ageism can be challenged.

The training also covers the legislation that can be used to challenge ageism and the organisations that can provide information, advice and support if someone sees or experiences ageism.

The training has been developed as part of the Commissioner’s work to end ageism and age discrimination, following the launch of her #EverydayAgeism Campaign in October, which aims to raise awareness of the ways that ageism impacts upon older people and society, and change attitudes so that the ageism that older people face everyday is no longer seen as being acceptable.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE (pictured), said: “Ageism underpins many of the issues faced by older people in society today, and everyday we are bombarded with ageist language and imagery that reinforces stereotypes about older people.

“This means that we still unfortunately see age discrimination in the workplace, within health care, social care, and other key public services, as well as across the media and advertising, which negatively impacts upon older people’s health and well-being in a number of ways.

“But despite its prevalence, 1 in 5 older people in Wales say they would not be confident in identifying ageism or challenging it.

“That’s why I am running a new series of tackling ageism training sessions throughout Wales for older people – to help them to recognise ageism and age discrimination, and empower them to challenge it.”

For further information about the training sessions, or to book your place, visit the Commissioner’s website – www.olderpeoplewales.com – or call the Commissioner’s office on 03442 640 670.

Picture (c) Twitter.