All Party Group on Ageing and Older People
The All Party Group on Ageing and Older People was established in 2015 to ensure that the issues affecting older people are a priority for the Northern Ireland Assembly, to ensure that Assembly policies prepare Northern Ireland for an ageing society and to encourage debate and engage in discussion with the Northern Ireland age sector and MLAs.
Following its Annual General Meeting on 27 June 2023, the following officers were elected:
Chairperson: Claire Sugden, MLA (Independent)
Vice-Chairperson: Colm Gildernew, MLA (Sinn Fein)
Secretary: Robbie Butler, MLA (UUP)
Treasurer: Stewart Dickson, MLA (Alliance)
Membership:
Andy Allen, OBE, MLA (UUP)
Kellie Armstrong, MLA (Alliance)
Pam Cameron, MLA (DUP)
Diane Dodds, MLA (DUP)
Jemma Dolan MLA (Sinn Fein)
Mark Durkan, MLA (SDLP)
Ciara Ferguson, MLA (Sinn Fein)
Diane Forsythe, MLA (DUP)
Harry Harvey, MLA (DUP)
Cara Hunter, MLA (SDLP)
Liz Kimmins, MLA (Sinn Fein)
Nuala McAllister, MLA (Alliance)
Nick Mathison MLA (Alliance)
Gary Middleton, MLA (DUP)
Alan Robinson, MLA (DUP)
Learn more about the All Party Group
Further information about the All Party Group can be found on the Northern Ireland Assembly website.
Since its establishment, the Group has met regularly and, as well as its MLA membership, has benefitted from the constructive engagement of a wide range of key stakeholders including:
• Departmental officials
• Statutory sector service providers
• Older people who are experts by experience
• Northern Ireland Commissioner for Older People (COPNI)
• Age Sector Networks
• Community and voluntary sector organisations
• Academics
• Other elected representatives.
Meetings of the Group provide an opportunity to hear from expert speakers and practitioners, as well as to discuss key issues affecting ageing and older people. They are regularly attended by 40+ stakeholders across the statutory, voluntary and community sectors, as well as trades unions and Council Age Friendly leads. Most importantly the Group welcomes older people to its meetings.
Get Involved
Please contact Kellie Turtle, Head of Policy and Engagement at Age NI by clicking here to find out more, or to be added to the stakeholder list.