About the Company

Five organisations in Canada, Colombia, Kenya, India and the UK set up HelpAge International in 1983 to provide a strong network to support older people worldwide. Early days The idea for a global network of older people's organisations arose from a consultancy commissioned by Sir Lesley Kirkley, Chair of Help the Aged's Overseas Committee, in 1980. "It was the time of the Ethiopia and Somalia wars," says Chris Beer, who carried out the consultancy and who later became HelpAge International's Chief Executive Officer. "It became clear that older refugees were not being looked after by other agencies. The idea was to become a lobby for older people and develop programmes such as eyecare and community care." Steady growth In November 1983, five organisations - Help the Aged (now Age UK), HelpAge India, HelpAge Kenya, Help the Aged Canada and Pro-Vida Colombia - came together to form the HelpAge International network. The idea of a global network quickly took hold. In 1988, Mark Gorman, now HelpAge International's Strategic Development Adviser, took on the task of developing the network. "I was very interested in helping to expand the group of organisations, which then numbered about 20," he says. "We produced publications, provided fundraising and skills training. People valued the idea of being part of a global movement