We were delighted to recently welcome representatives from the Welsh Government and the Older People's Commissioner for Wales to Cynon Linc, our busy community hub in Aberdare.

We were delighted to recently welcome two special visitors to Cynon Linc - Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and Rhian Bowen-Davies, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales. Their visit provided an opportunity to see first-hand the difference community-based advice services are making for local older people - helping them increase their incomes, claim the benefits they are entitled to, and feel more secure in everyday life.

Supporting older people where they are

Thanks to funding from the Welsh Government Single Advice Fund, Age Connects Morgannwg has been awarded £321,000 over three years to continue delivering vital support. Our team provides one-to-one advice, home visits, community pop-ups and Digi Cafes - ensuring we reach people who might otherwise miss out. From benefit claims and managing bills to staying safe from scams, the focus is always on practical, person-centred support delivered with dignity and care.

One of the most powerful examples of this work has been the Pension Credit campaign which ran across Cwm Taf Morgannwg. Through targeted outreach and support, nearly 1,900 older people successfully claimed more than £1.6 million in additional income they were entitled to but had not been receiving.

Seeing the impact first-hand

During the visit, both Jane Hutt and Rhian Bowen-Davies met members of our team as well as older people who use our services and heard directly about the difference support can make - not just financially, but emotionally and socially too. Our Chief Executive, Daisy Cole, explained why this work matters so much:

“Too many older people are missing out on money they are entitled to, often without realising it. The Single Advice Fund support from Welsh Government allows us to meet people where they are in their homes, community spaces and at Cynon Linc and help them claim what they’re entitled to with dignity. For the older people we support, this is about peace of mind: not having to choose between heating or eating and feeling more secure in everyday life. It’s preventative support that helps older people live well and enjoy a better quality of life.”

Jane Hutt also spoke about the importance of accessible advice services and the real difference they make:

“I spoke to people about how much this advice helps them, whether it’s understanding their benefits, getting help with bills, or just having someone to talk things through with. This support makes a real difference for people who might otherwise miss out. I’m proud that the Welsh Government is supporting services like this to reach those who need it most and make sure older people across Wales claim their entitlements.”

Building an age-friendly future

Community-based support plays a vital role in helping people remain independent, informed, and connected. Services like ours are a key part of creating age-friendly communities - places where people can live well as they grow older. We are proud to play our part in this shared ambition, and we are grateful for the continued investment that makes this work possible. Most of all, we are proud of the dedication of our staff team and the resilience of the older people we support every day.

This visit was a welcome reminder that when advice and support are accessible, personal, and rooted in the community, they can truly transform lives.