End of an era for Third Age IT project for ‘vulnerable’ older people

An IT training project designed to help “vulnerable” older people return to work has closed due to uncertainties over future funding.

The Third Age Foundation (TAF), which was established in London 20 years ago, has supported more than 6,000 people, teaching them new skills and bringing them up-to-date with modern technology in an attempt to help them overcome age discrimination in the workplace.

Sylvia Francis, director of projects at TAF, said: "Unfortunately, TAF was no longer able to continue without being fully funded. TAF struggled for three years with only half to two thirds funding, using up its reserves and latterly with much voluntary help. Payment by results does not work for small organisations and is detrimental to cash flow and survival. Also, the powers that be are more interested in helping youngsters at the present time, which is very short sighted, as nearly half the population is over 40 years old and technology is constantly changing.

"Fortunately, TAF can hold its head up high having survived 20 years and having helped over 6,000 who were 40-plus. At the 'Last Hurrah' speakers, students and volunteers praised the work that TAF has been doing and the help the staff have given to thousands of older people over the years.”

London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert joined Councillor Frances Stainton, Mayor for Hammersmith and Fulham, at an award ceremony honouring the last cohort of students and spoke of her sadness about the closure. She said: “It’s such a shame to see such a valuable organisation close its doors for the last time.

“Third Age has played a vital role in helping vulnerable and unemployed older Londoners back into the workplace and I hope that other organisations will carry on this work in the future, and that Third Age’s financial backers, including the European Social Fund and London Councils, will continue to support their work.

“As more and more councils cut their small grants programmes in the face of Government cuts to local authority budgets, it is becoming harder and harder for small, community-based NGOs to secure the funding they need – as a society we will need to take a long, hard look at the way this sort of group is funded in the future.”