Age UK Isle Of Wight Meets Both Island MPs To Highlight Challenges Facing Older Residents

Age UK Isle of Wight has completed a key round of talks with the Island’s parliamentary representatives after meeting Joe Robertson on Friday (February 13th).

The meeting followed a visit last month from Richard Quigley, meaning the charity has now briefed both MPs on the main challenges and opportunities facing older people across the Isle of Wight.

Chair of Trustees Lorraine Buckman, Chief Officer Maria Bunce and Marketing and Digital Communications Officer Joe Hodgkinson discussed the charity’s preventative services — including dementia support and digital inclusion — alongside the unique pressures created by the Island’s ageing population.

They also raised wider concerns affecting older residents, such as rising ferry costs and the ongoing social care crisis.

With the Island now split into two constituencies, Age UK Isle of Wight says engaging both MPs is vital to making sure no older person is left behind.

Maria Bunce said securing time with both representatives was a significant step forward, allowing the charity to present a united voice in Westminster on the need for sustainable social care funding and to highlight the positive impact of its work locally.

Joe Robertson MP described the meeting as “incredibly helpful”, praising the organisation’s role as a fully independent local charity, where every pound raised stays on the Island.

He added that the scale and variety of support provided to older residents is remarkable and said he looks forward to working closely with the charity in the future.