Centre for Ageing Better

Centre for Ageing Better
Name	Centre for Ageing Better
Formation	2015
Type	Charitable organisation
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Location	London
Leader title	Chief Executive

Centre for Ageing Better is an independent charitable foundation in the United Kingdom focused on improving later life. The organisation works across public policy, health, transport, housing and employment to promote wellbeing for older people, engaging with stakeholders including charities, think tanks, local authorities and academic institutions.

Overview

The organisation operates within a landscape that includes Age UK, British Red Cross, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, King's Fund, Nuffield Trust, Wellcome Trust, Health Foundation, University of Oxford, London School of Economics, University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Birmingham, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University of Bristol, University of York, University of Nottingham, University of Warwick, University of Exeter, University of Liverpool, Imperial College London, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Physicians, Royal Society for Public Health, British Medical Association, Care Quality Commission, Skills for Care, Local Government Association, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, Cabinet Office, City of London Corporation, Greater London Authority, Manchester City Council, Birmingham City Council, Leeds City Council, Liverpool City Council, Newcastle City Council, Bristol City Council, Sheffield City Council, Cambridge City Council, Oxford City Council.

History and Funding

Established in 2015, the organisation was created with funding announced by philanthropic entities and charitable trusts including Big Lottery Fund, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Trust for London, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Wellcome Trust and major corporate donors such as Legal & General Group plc, Aviva plc and Lloyds Banking Group. Early setup involved engagement with policymakers associated with Prime Minister's Office (United Kingdom), cross-party groups in the House of Commons, and peers in the House of Lords. Its inception followed discussions involving stakeholders from Care Quality Commission, NHS England, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care and local delivery partners such as Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority.

Mission and Activities

The stated mission focuses on making later life a fulfilling period through changes to housing policy in the United Kingdom, transport policy in the United Kingdom, employment law in the United Kingdom, and public health initiatives linked to NHS England, Public Health England, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence practice. Activities include commissioning research with universities like University of Oxford, London School of Economics, University College London and implementing pilots with local authorities such as Manchester City Council, Birmingham City Council and Leeds City Council. The organisation runs programmes addressing work and employment alongside bodies like Department for Work and Pensions and ACAS, housing pilots with registered providers such as Clarion Housing Group and Peabody Trust, and transport initiatives in partnership with Transport for London and Network Rail.

Research and Publications

The body commissions mixed-methods studies, systematic reviews and evidence syntheses delivered by research centres including Institute for Fiscal Studies, NatCen Social Research, RAND Corporation, Centre for Ageing Better Research Centre at King's College London, Centre for Ageing Research at the University of Liverpool, University of Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing and policy analysis by Institute for Public Policy Research, Resolution Foundation, Centre for Cities and Social Market Foundation. Publications cover topics ranging from later life employment, retirement income and pensions policy in the United Kingdom to built environment research linked to Royal Institute of British Architects, mobility reports relating to Transport for London and health evidence engaging National Institute for Health and Care Excellence standards. Reports have been cited in debates involving the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee, House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee and think tanks such as Demos and Policy Exchange.

Policy Influence and Advocacy

Advocacy work includes briefing MPs across constituencies represented in the House of Commons and contributing evidence to Lords select committees in the House of Lords. The organisation has engaged with ministers from Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care, officials at Cabinet Office taskforces, and civil servants at Local Government Association to shape policies on ageing, retirement transitions and adult social care reform associated with the Care Act 2014. It collaborates with unions such as Unison (trade union), GMB (trade union), and employer groups like Confederation of British Industry to influence workplace practice and statutory instrument discussions.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Partnerships span academic institutions—University of Oxford, University College London, London School of Economics, King's College London—and civil society organisations including Age UK, Shelter (charity), Citizens Advice, Royal Voluntary Service and British Red Cross. International links include exchanges with World Health Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Commission, AARP, National Institute on Aging and research networks such as International Longevity Centre UK and Global Ageing Network.

Governance and Leadership

Governance is overseen by a board of trustees drawn from the charitable, academic and corporate sectors, with leaders who have held roles across institutions like University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, London School of Economics, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and British Medical Association. Senior executives have engaged with stakeholders including Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, Cabinet Office and mayoral offices such as Greater London Authority.

Category:Charities based in the United Kingdom