Age Connects Torfaen joined fellow Age Connects Wales organisations at the Senedd to celebrate Older People’s Day, showcasing the vital support provided to older people and unpaid carers across Wales.
The event brought together staff, volunteers, service users and carers to highlight the difference that local services make to people’s lives, celebrate lived experiences and raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities associated with growing older.
A key part of the evening was a presentation from Emma Wootten, Chief Executive of Age Connects Torfaen, who spoke about A Lifeline for Carers. Emma highlighted the essential role unpaid carers play in supporting older people and explored how Age Connects organisations provide practical, emotional and financial support to help carers maintain their own wellbeing while continuing in their caring roles.
Attendees also heard from Laura Rehman, Head of Dementia Services at Age Connects Torfaen, who presented The Dementia Passport. The presentation highlighted the importance of understanding the individual needs of people living with dementia and helping them access support that recognises their experiences, preferences and circumstances.
One of the most moving parts of the evening was the lived experience panel, hosted by Rhian Bowen-Davies, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales. The panel gave people the opportunity to share personal insights into their lives as unpaid carers and their experiences of living with a dementia diagnosis. Their honest and powerful contributions helped bring the importance of understanding, inclusion and accessible community support to life.
The evening concluded with a spectacular performance from Age Connects Torfaen’s Love to Sing Choir. Their heartfelt performance was a fitting end to the celebrations, moving many in the audience — there was not a dry eye in the house.
The event provided a valuable opportunity for the Age Connects Wales network to demonstrate the breadth of support available to older people and their carers, from dementia services and social activities to information and advice, practical assistance and opportunities to stay connected to their communities.
Emma Wootten, Chief Executive of Age Connects Torfaen, said:
“It was a privilege to join our colleagues from across the Age Connects Wales network at the Senedd to celebrate Older People’s Day and showcase the incredible work taking place in our communities.
“The evening was a powerful reminder that behind every service is a person, a family and a story. Hearing directly from people living with dementia and unpaid carers reinforced why it is so important that we listen to their experiences and ensure their voices shape the support available to them.
“I was particularly proud of our Love to Sing Choir. Their performance was an incredibly moving way to finish the evening and demonstrated the power of music, friendship and connection. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the event such a special occasion.”
Age Connects Torfaen would like to thank the Age Connects Wales network, everyone who contributed to the programme, the individuals who bravely shared their lived experiences, and the Love to Sing Choir for helping to make the evening memorable.
The celebration highlighted a shared commitment across the Age Connects Wales organisations to ensure older people and unpaid carers are listened to, valued and supported to live well within their communities.
