Deputy minister highlights the importance of human rights for older people at the 2022 National Eisteddfod

Age Cymru hosted the deputy minister for social services, Julie Morgan MS, at this year’s National Eisteddfod in Ceredigion to help highlight the importance of human rights for older people.  

The charity used the visit to launch its toolkit ‘Human Rights are Lifetime Rights’ that can be used by older people and anyone who advocates on their behalf such as family and friends, as well as professional and volunteer advocates. 

It also showcased its ground-breaking film called ‘Don’t get me started’ that featured animated illustrations of older people talking about human rights to raise awareness of rights in our everyday lives and what they mean to us as individuals. Together these pieces of work form part of a campaign supported by the Welsh Government.  

Age Cymru’s chief executive, Victoria Lloyd said “We were delighted to host the Deputy Minister at our Eisteddfod stand to help highlight our work on human rights for older people. In many areas of society such as health and social care, and in shaping our local communities, the rights of older people often overlooked.  While many older people are often unaware of their rights. 

“So it is important that we continue working with the Welsh Government to help raise awareness of rights among older people and to help them understand where and when such rights can be used. Everyone, regardless of their age, has the right to live with dignity, make their own choices, and have their views respected.” 

Deputy minister for social services, Julie Morgan said: “It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to watch Age Cymru’s ‘Human Rights are Lifetime Rights’ film and meet some of the people behind it. 

 “The film is a great reflection of the Welsh Government’s Age Friendly Wales Strategy that aims to raise awareness, empower and support older people to ensure that their rights are not compromised.” 

During the visit the deputy minister met with Age Cymru chair Professor John Williams - an expert in human rights, Age Cymru Dyfed chief executive Simon Wright, and participants from the film: Kay Edwards and Louisa St Bartholomew Brown Morgan. 

Throughout the week of the Eisteddfod the charity also distributed booklets produced by Social Care Wales in partnership with Welsh Government called ‘Making Rights Work for Older People’ and ‘Guidance on Understanding Your Care and Support Rights as an Older Person’.   

If you would like more information about our work on human rights email Rachel.Dawson@agecymru.org.uk, call 029 2043 1555, or visit www.agecymru.org.uk/humanrights