The Dignity Champions network

As anyone who knows me will attest, I am a passionate advocate of older people and their place in British society and their treatment by the various organisations with whom they come into contact.

I grew up in a home which was regularly filled with four generations – aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-aunts and the occasional great uncle. My parents mostly ignored other adults' ages and simply treated them as people. Their outlook has influenced my own. It was at home that I learnt how interesting older people can be and how much fun you can have with them.

These early experiences have affected all my adult relationships as well as my work and volunteering. Apart from my day-to-day work in the sector connecting the generations, I am a trustee and volunteer for the charities Contact the Elderly and Independent Age.

I am proud to be a Dignity Champion and want to see older people treated with greater respect and dignity, especially the oldest-old being cared for in institutional settings or by social care – and we could certainly use some more.

http://www.dignityincare.org.uk/