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Join Hourglass for The Safer Ageing Summit 2025!
Hourglass Conference 2025: The Safer Ageing Summit
Venue: Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh
Wednesday 12th November 2025, 8.30am to 5pm
This UK-wide event will bring together sector leaders, practitioners, civil servants, legal and financial experts to discuss the roadmap to a Safer Ageing Society by 2050.
Key note speakers:
Kaukab Stewart MSP (Minister for Equalities, Scottish Government)
Kaukab Stewart was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK when she was six years old. Before being elected, she worked as a primary school teacher for nearly 30 years. Kaukab was elected to represent Glasgow Kelvin at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. She was Vice Convenor of the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee before becoming Convenor of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee and is the first woman of colour in the Scottish Government. As Minister for Equalities, Minister Stewart supports the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and has responsibility for championing and progressing the rights of older people in Scotland.
Dame Nicole Jacobs (Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales)
Appointed in 2019 as the first Domestic Abuse Commissioner (DAC), Dame Nicole has almost 30 years’ experience in the domestic abuse sector, first coming to the UK in 1999 as an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA). She later became CEO of Standing Against Domestic Abuse. As the DAC, she now works to improve responses across public services and ensure survivors' voices shape national policy.
We also have a confirmed UK Government Minister to be announced soon.
Panel discussions will include:
25 Years to a Safer Ageing Society with Hourglass leaders
For over 30 years, Hourglass has worked to end the abuse, harm, exploitation and neglect of older people. From a small campaigning voice to a national charity with impact across all four nations of the UK, we are now marking 25 years to go to deliver a Safer Ageing Society by 2050.
The links between ageism, housing and abuse
Older people are often excluded from conversations about abuse, and housing is too frequently treated as a logistical issue rather than a frontline safeguarding concern. This panel will explore how ageist assumptions, isolation, and a lack of joined-up policy can make older people more vulnerable to harm, and how housing providers and local services can intervene earlier and more effectively.
With Nika Noakes (Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance), Adam Statchura (Age Scotland), Carrie Bower (Hourglass) and Churchill Foundation.
Sexual abuse of older people
Sexual abuse of older people is one of the most hidden and stigmatised issues in adult safeguarding. It is rarely reported, poorly understood and often erased from policy and service planning altogether. Yet older victim-survivors face distinct risks and barriers to disclosure, including trauma, shame and systemic neglect. This panel will shine a light on the issue, challenging myths and silence.
With Duncan Craig OBE (We are Survivors), Mike Wilkinson (New Pathways) and Poppy Everton (Hourglass)
Lasting Power of Attorney: the case for reform
Economic abuse is one of the most common and least visible forms of harm experienced by older people, often taking place behind closed doors, perpetrated by those closest to the older victim-survivor.
This panel features Willie’s Law campaigners Laura Johnston-Brand and Karen Lee, plus Tonina Ashby (HCR Law) and Colin Scott (Hourglass).
And don’t miss our fringe workshops:
Reflections from the Frontline
Drawing on real-world practice, this workshop explores what our frontline practitioners are seeing day to day in the fight against the abuse of older people. From safeguarding gaps to moments of real impact, it will offer practical insights into where systems work and where they urgently need to change.
The Economics of Abuse in Scotland
Economic abuse is one of the most common forms of harm affecting older people. This session examines the financial dynamics of abuse and what reforms, safeguards and public awareness are needed to protect older people in Scotland.
Domestic Abuse Related Deaths – Are We Learning the Lessons?
Each domestic abuse-related death leaves behind urgent questions for systems, services and communities. This workshop looks at the lessons emerging from reviews and investigations, asking whether change is truly happening and what more must be done to prevent further harm to older victim-survivors.
Safeguarding in Practice – What’s Working?
The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act has long been regarded as a cornerstone of safeguarding - but how well is it working in practice for older people? And how can we share learning across the UK as we turn legislation into practice. This session will unpack strengths, gaps and potential for reform across the UK while drawing on frontline insight and policy expertise to inform future safeguarding strategy.
