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Shop NowSinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill endorses OATH campaign to create Safer Ageing Society – free from abuse.
Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill is the first party leader to support Hourglass’s OATH campaign to work to end the abuse and neglect of older people. She is the first leader to make this landmark pledge to work towards a Safer Ageing Society – and hot on the heels of the news that there will be a predicted nine million more older people across the four nations by 2050.
Hourglass is the only UK-wide charity supporting older victims-survivors of abuse and neglect, it has a 24/7 helpline and unique casework service. The OATH campaign (Older Age Tomorrow’s Hope) calls on all walks of society to join together to build a safer and more independent future for older people.
Whilst candidates standing for most major political parties have pledged their support for Hourglass’s safer ageing OATH, including Labour, Conservative, Green, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and Reform UK – only Sinn Fein’s leader has pledged to support the OATH campaign and is encouraging all their representatives to sign up. In Northern Ireland, representatives from the SDLP, UUP and Alliance have added their personal support but Hourglass await full party endorsement.
The charity, which supported almost 50,000 people in the last year, is also calling on the general public, influencers, third sector leaders, care professionals and businesses to also sign up. They can do so here: www.wearehourglass.org/take-oath
After the General Election, Sinn Fein’s Linda Dillon MLA has also agreed to meet with Hourglass to discuss how we can advance the safer ageing agenda in Northern Ireland.
Richard Robinson, Chief Executive of Hourglass, said:
“We are delighted with the initial support we have received for our OATH campaign. We are especially pleased that Sinn Féin Leader Michelle O’Neill has signed up. This is a landmark endorsement. We now call upon the other party leaders to follow suit.
“The campaign isn’t a controversial one and nor is it politically motivated. Ensuring we can grow old safely, independently, and free from harm, abuse and neglect should be a human right. We are fully expecting the vast majority of political parties across these islands to endorse OATH. We hope others will follow the example set by Michelle O’Neil”
Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein Leader, said:
''Sinn Féin want older people in our society to be supported and protected from violence, exploitation and other forms of abuse so we are supporting the Safe Ageing pledge."
The charity is urging those keen to support the charity to make a donation by visiting www.wearehourglass.org.uk/donate or Text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10.
Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.
ENDS
Contact
Richard Robinson, CEO
richardrobinson@wearehourglass.org
Mobile no: 07807 229447
