Age Concern England podcasts

Stuart is enjoying a happy retirement on the Greek island of Skiathos. Listen to his experiences of moving to Greece from the UK, and his tips on what to do if you're considering doing something similar. Listen to Stuart's story

Listen to Chris talk about how he cares for an older gentleman at home. Download Christopher's story

Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health, describes the challenge of improving the care and support system at Age Concern Hull's Big Q listening event. Download LE Alan Johnson video

Stephen O'Brien MP, Shadow Minister for Health, at Age Concern Cheshire's Big Q listening event. Download LE Stephen OBrien video

A participant at Age Concern Norfolk's Big Q listening event discusses the days activities. Download LE Eamon McGrath video

"the care system is very complex and its hard to find your way around it" A participant at a joint Age Concern England/Mencap listening event held in Sheffield discusses the complexity of the care and support system. Download Clarity video...

Participant at Age Concern Big Q listening event discusses the subject of clarity Download Clarity video 2

"Information has got to be clear" A participant at Age Concern Hampshire's Big Q listening event discusses the need for clear and timely information about the care and support system. Download Clarity video 3

"They have to fill in one form which is 36 pages long" A participant at Age Concern Hull's Big Q listening event describes how the complexity of benefits' forms is a barrier to older people. Download Clarity video 4

"They have to fill in one form which is 36 pages long" A participant at Age Concern Hull's Big Q listening event describes how the complexity of benefits' forms is a barrier to older people. Download Clarity video 4

"Older people are sometimes not valued and that is so hurtful" A participant at Age Concern Dacorum's Big Q listening event discusses the subject of older people's dignity. Download Dignity video 1

"she said I've had a carer, they sent a man" A participant at a joint Age Concern England/Mencap listening event held in Sheffield discusses the subject of his Aunt's dignity. Download Dignity video 2

"I saw some Id be horrified to be put into because the staff dont seem to care" A participant at Age Concern Norfolk's Big Q listening event discusses the differences in quality between care homes. Download Dignity video 3

"The quality of care: a lot of these carers are untrained." A participant at Age Concern Norfolk's Big Q listening event discusses the quality of care and support. Download Dignity video 4

"Why does one [county] provide more facilities than what the other one can" A participant at Age Concern Hampshire's Big Q listening event questions the fairness of the care and support system. Download Fairness video 1

"My concern which I mentioned before, is the diversity of provision for activity in residential homes" A participant at Age Concern Hampshire's Big Q listening event shares his concern about differences in the quality of care. Download Fairness video 2

"Theres an awful lot of small things in between that allow people to actually live in the community" A participant at Age Concern Metro Bury's Big Q listening event discusses the low level care and support services that are being...

"Its postcode lottery again." A participant at Age Concern Hull's Big Q listening event describes how services can be withdrawn without the needs of the older person changing. Download Fairness video 4

"Who assesses the assessors?" A participant at Age Concern Torbay's Big Q listening event wonders whether enough is being done to make sure the care assessment system is working. Download Fairness video 5

"Care is 24 hours a day, 365 days a year" A participant at Age Concern Hull's Big Q listening event describes how people require care every day not just during the working week. Download Independence video 1

"the carer will only take one of them, not both of them together" A participant at a joint Age Concern England/Mencap listening event held in Sheffield describes the experiences of people in the care system. Download Independence video 2

"I want to go to town and they will not take me to town" A participant at a joint Age Concern England/Mencap listening event held in Sheffield discusses her lack of independence in the care and support system. Download Independence...

"Family carers feel as though they are taken for granted" A participant at a joint Age Concern England/Mencap listening event held in Sheffield discusses support for family carers. Download Independence video 4

In April 2008, Age Concern launched the Big Q campaign to improve the quality of care and support given to older people. Between April and November, Age Concerns around England organised listening events where older people were able to talk...

"Its going to have to cost more money" A participant at a joint Age Concern England/Mencap listening event held in Sheffield discusses the funding of care and support. Download Money video 2

"The systems not fair. Its a disincentive to save." A participant at Age Concern Cheshire's Big Q listening event discusses the subject of paying for care and support. Download Money video 3

"Its discrimination against older people that if you have state pension you cant have the Carers Allowance" A participant at Age Concern Dacorum's Big Q listening event describes the anger many older carers feel at losing the Carer's Allowance. Download...

Terry’s job in a recycling plant was undermining his health. He needed to leave work but as he was 60, he could not draw his pension. He contacted Age Concern Teesside has recently gone back to them Concern as his...

Brenda and Trevor contacted Age Concern Stafford & District because they were having difficulties with their Housing Benefit claim and were afraid that they would not be able to pay their rent. Brenda was becoming very stressed and both were...

Lary is 90, was widowed 3 years ago, and now lives alone. She desperately wanted to stay in the home she has lived in for 60 years. The only problem was that she found getting out to the shops difficult....