Nikki Hill has joined IndependentAge, the national charity that champions independence for older people, to take up the newly created role of Director of Fundraising and Communications.  Nikki Hill joins IndependentAge, which launched under a new name in February this year, from Help the Aged where she was Head of Communications. 

Jonathan Powell, Chief Executive of IndependentAge, welcomed Nikki to the charity, saying: "This is an exciting time for us as we move forward under the banner of IndependentAge.  We want the charity to enjoy a higher public profile so that we can reach out to more beneficiaries as well as potential volunteers and donors.  I am delighted that Nikki will be working with us to achieve this, bringing with her a wealth of experience, knowledge and understanding of the difficulties faced by older people as they try to maintain their independence in later years."

Speaking about her decision to move to IndependentAge, Nikki Hill said: "I wanted to stay in the age sector.  It's a challenging area as the UK's changing demographics mean that we're having to think about age in a way we've never done before.  I feel very strongly about the injustice and barriers that people face as they get older and the need for change. 

"IndependentAge is an established and immensely practical organisation.  It is one of the few charities that is able to reach out and support isolated older people who are struggling to exist on low incomes.  Not only does it provide life long financial support to those in need, but it also helps people remain connected with their local community as beneficiaries receive regular visits from volunteers.   Indeed, the charity's nationwide network of over 1,100 volunteers, themselves predominantly older people, is a tremendous asset.  Volunteers are going into people's homes every day of the week, giving us a better experience and understanding of the realities of old age.  This is vital to ensuring we appreciate what people actually need so we can provide them with the most appropriate assistance."
Many older people face serious difficulties, such as debt, reduced mobility, isolation, loneliness and fear of crime, all of which can threaten their independence.  Research shows that given the choice, the vast majority of older people would prefer to stay in their own homes than go into institutional care.  However, there is a desperate shortage of the right support, both practical and financial, to help older people retain their independence at home and this is one of the key issues that Nikki will be tackling in her new role.