The UK's 66 over 66

Tuesday, 06 December 2011

WRVS Gold Age Power List tackles society’s stereotypes by celebrating the UK’s most influential pensioners.

WRVS, the age positive charity, today unveiled the Gold Age Power List. The list celebrates individuals who are continuing to make significant social and cultural contributions to the UK over the age of 66. They defy stereotypes and the misconception that the UK’s ageing population is a looming disaster because it represents a “burden” and “drain on society”.

Topped by The Queen, Delia Smith, David Attenborough and Michael Palin, the list celebrates people from the worlds of arts, sports and adventure, science, public service and business. It also recognises local volunteers who are making invaluable contributions in their local communities every day.

WRVS is launching the list in the year the Baby Boom generation turns 66, with people living and working for longer and many not ready to retire. The WRVS Gold Age Power List, far from being a lifetime achievement award, demonstrates the impact older people continue to make today - with many individuals on the list leaders in their respective fields, despite being well over retirement age.

The list was compiled by WRVS and an expert judging panel, including comedian Jenny Éclair, writer Katharine Whitehorn, Good Housekeeping editorial director Lindsay Nicholson and writer and editor of Gransnet Geraldine Bedell. 

WRVS is one of the leading volunteer charities in the UK, with over 70 years work in local communities supporting older people, enabling them to make the positive contribution many want to.

Earlier this year, WRVS published the Gold Age Pensioners research report, which demonstrated that even allowing for the costs of pensions, welfare and healthcare, over 65s made a positive net contribution to the UK economy of £40 billion last year.  The research identified the financial value of volunteering by older people and revealed that they are often the ‘social glue’ of community life. With the Gold Age Power List, WRVS hopes to go even further in celebrating the social and cultural contribution of older people in the UK. 

Lynne Berry, Chief Executive of WRVS said:
“A measure of society is how it sees old people, and in the UK there are too many negative assumptions about being old – that older people are a drain on society or a burden for the next generation. But this is simply not true. Our list demonstrates the extraordinary social and cultural contribution older people make and it was incredibly difficult to agree a final list of 66 people, as there is such a wealth of talent, contribution and impact older people are making in the UK. 

“We want help make Britain a great place to grow old, with a society that has a positive view of older people and recognises values and capitalises on the contribution they can make – and we hope this list plays an important role in changing outdated attitudes towards older people and encouraging even more people to volunteer for organisations like ours.”

Jenny Eclair, supporter and judge of the Gold Age Power List said: 
“I am proud and pleased to be supporting WRVS - this is an underestimated organisation who should be applauded for the fantastic work they do. All of us are getting older and some of us will fall to pieces quicker than others, the WRVS provide some of the kindest and most efficient helping hands to those who need it most. I was honoured to be invited to join the Gold Age Power List judging panel and have a hand in making sure very deserving individuals were recognised for the incredible influence they continue to have.” 

Those that that have been judged to lead the list have achieved the following since the age of 66:
•       The Queen - made her first state visit to Ireland earlier this year, and last year carried out over 444 engagements.
•       Delia Smith – in 2008, Delia’s book How to Cheat at Cooking was the fastest selling cookery book of all time.  She is widely acknowledged for her role in Norwich City football club – which she co-owns - winning promotion to the Premier league in 2011.  
•       Diana Athill – in 2009, at the age of 91, Athill won the Costa Biography prize for her sixth memoir, Somewhere Towards the End.
•       David Attenborough - Sir David’s distinguished career in broadcasting now spans more than 50 years and he continues to work into his ninth decade. On his 80th birthday, in 2006, Sir David was on the Galapagos islands filming giant tortoises.
•       Lord Robert Winston - voted “peer of the year” by his fellow parliamentarians in 2008, when he was 67, for his work on the human fertilisation and embryology bill.
•       Michael Palin - In 2009, Palin became president of the Royal Geographic Society and is currently in production for a new four-part BBC 1 series exploring Brazil
•       The list also includes a local hero category to celebrate those people who are making invaluable contributions to their local communities. This list includes WRVS volunteers who spend time with older people everyday, and are often involved in many other initiatives and projects in their communities. 

To see the full WRVS Gold Age Power List and to find out how you can get involved in WRVS work in communities across the UK visit the website link below.