Age Concern Isle of Man Chief Executive Penny Creighton MBE (pictured) says that no re-branding decision has yet been made following the creation of Age UK, a new charity, from the merger of Age Concern and Help the Aged.
Age UK was launched in England on 5th April this year to include Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI, but no reference has been made to an ‘Age Isle of Man’.
"We are reviewing the situation. Age Concern Isle of Man is a well respected brand dedicated to the welfare of people in later life.
"Although we receive no funding from them, we have always been part of Age Concern UK and, as such, are subject to the same processes and protocols in terms of, for example, inspections, quality standards and financial monitoring.
"What does set us apart, however, is that Age Concern Isle of Man is a far more extensive operation than its UK counterpart. In the past three years, we have substantially broadened the scope of the services we provide.
"There is our flagship advice and information service; our partnership with government to support the Island’s Meals on Wheels service; our five day care centres; five lunch clubs; a practical support service; five pioneering Lifelong Learning centres for computer training, and now our amazing CHAT (Community, Health, Advice and Training) bus.
"In addition we operate two shops, the income from which contributes to the £800,000 we must generate every year to maintain our current level of service provision.
"Together with the board of trustees, I have been in discussion with Age Concern in England for the past two years about the proposed new identity and our status within the new brand.
"At Age Concern conferences and open forums, I have repeatedly asked why the Isle of Man is not recognised as a member of this new force, this Age UK 'family'.
"The Island is not referred to in any of Age UK’s promotional material although there is tacit agreement that we could become Age IOM.
"We will not be making any swift decision as we have until March 2011 to make the transition if we so wish.
"We will, however, be conferring with our Age Concern colleagues in the North West to hear about their experiences of operating under this new brand.
"Whatever the outcome, the Manx public may rest assured that Age Concern Isle of Man will continue to support the over-50s and people of any age with a disability.
"Whatever the brand, whatever the logo we adopt we shall always put the best interests of our clients first and remain committed to creating an age-friendly society where every older person counts."
