30 Years of Hourglass

As part of Safer Ageing Week 2023, we’re marking our thirtieth anniversary by looking at the last thirty years of adult safeguarding.

In 1993, Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) was founded and launched by Professor Gerry Bennett, being joined by Paul Kingston and Bridget Penhale in shaping the charity’s mission. Heavily involved from the start was Sally Greengross, who in 1993 was director of Age Concern England. Sally, who became Baroness Greengross of Notting Hill supported the charity ever since and served as the charity’s patron until her death in June 2022

The charity was the first and still remains the only organisation of it’s kind in the UK focused exclusively on working to protect and prevent abuse and violence against older adults. Over the last thirty years, the charity has evolved and grown, re-branding to Hourglass in 2020 and launching the only 24/7 helpline for older victim-survivors of abuse in 2022.

As much as Hourglass/AEA has grown and evolved over the last 30 years, so has adult safeguarding and the challenges in protecting older people from abuse and neglect.

Thirty years of adult safeguarding

This document looks at these challenges and definitions of adult safeguarding in the light of Hourglass’ thirty years working in the sector.

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