About Us
A brief history
Age Concern Havering is an independent registered charity. Formed in 1949 as Hornchurch Old People's Welfare Association, and therefore 60 years old in 2009, we initially provided services such as befriending and footcare to older people in Hornchurch. Our name was changed to Age Concern Havering in 1972 and we have continued to grow to meet the needs of an expanding older population across the borough.
Older People in Havering
Havering is the furthest east and third largest in area of all the London boroughs, with more than half of our area being open space or parkland.
In 2001 the borough had a population of 224,248 of whom 50,835 or almost 23% were over the age of 60 - the highest proportion in London.
By 2013, it is predicted that the numbers of over 65s and over 85s in Havering will have increased by 9% and 16% respectively.
By 2023, it is predicted that the numbers of over 65s and over 85s in the borough will have increased by 23% and 49% respectively. In the case of those over 85, that means an increase in numbers from around 5,000 to approximately 7,500. This rate of growth is dramatically higher than the rest of London and many parts of UK.
Our rapidly ageing population will mean increasing health, care and support needs. For example:
- the numbers of people over 65 with dementia by 2025 are predicted to increase by 33 per cent
likewise the numbers with depression are likely to increase by 28 per cent
28 per cent more over 65s are likely to attend Accident & Emergency departments as a result of falls
the number of family carers is predicted to rise to 25,800 over the same period
Age Concern Havering, as a leading member of Havering Strategic Partnership, is currently working with partners such as Havering Council and NHS Havering, to create a borough wide Older Peoples' Strategy to prepare for and respond to these demographic changes and the issues they bring with them.