• Hourglass launches first 24/7 helpline dedicated to helping older victims of abuse in NI and the services that support them

• UK dealing with a “hidden epidemic” - as many as 2.7 million people are affected by the abuse of older people in the UK

• Only a tiny fraction of victims are getting the help they desperately need

• 28% of calls to the helpline in 2021 took place outside of office hours and went unanswered

• The helpline is moving to a 24/7 operation thanks to funding from the UK Home Office but funds are limited to England-only. The Northern Ireland line is covered through the charity’s own meagre reserves

• Hourglass is calling on care homes, GP surgeries, police/PCC and other charities who support and care for older people to promote the helpline and bring the issue out into the open

• Charity is looking for urgent funds to underpin the service in Northern Ireland

Today, Hourglass, Northern Ireland’s only charity focused on tackling the abuse and neglect of older people, is launching the UK’s first 24/7 helpline as part of a major push to bring the “hidden epidemic” of abuse experienced by older people out into the open and get victims the support they need.

As many as 2.7 million people are thought to be affected by the abuse of older people in the UK, yet new data from the charity’s helpline shows only a fraction of those victims (0.2%) are accessing the helpline to get specialist support from Hourglass.

Thanks to funding from the UK Home Office, the 24/7 helpline means anyone can call, day or night and the 28% of people who sought help in 2021 outside of office hours will now get the support they need. The Home Office funds cover England but the charity needs NI Assembly support to ensure the Northern Ireland service is sustainable.

Speaking about the expanded service, Hourglass CEO Richard Robinson said:



“The Pandemic increased social isolation, the social care crisis, a stretched criminal justice system, a lack of public awareness, all have contributed to unacceptable levels of abuse being experienced by older people.

“Thankfully we are increasingly aware of other forms of abuse like child abuse and domestic violence, but the abuse of older people remains in the shadows even though it affects millions. So many people are suffering and don’t know where to turn for help. We must bring it out into the open and support older people who are experiencing it to get the help they desperately need.

“Our helpline going 24/7 is an important step in doing that and I urge any individuals or organisations who care for older people to promote as far and wide as they can.”

Carla Lockhart MP, said:

“I congratulate Hourglass and wish them all the best in this giant leap in support for older people at risk and their families. However, this is just the first step and we now need to ensure that there is a level playing field for all victims of support. There is undoubtedly an epidemic of abuse of older people in the UK and whilst the older population grows steadily, this issue remains steadfastly underground. 

“In Northern Ireland, Hourglass are funding the 24/7 from their own reserves. I would urge politicians from all parties to come together to look at funding support for elder abuse victims in the same way as we do child abuse, domestic abuse and hate crimes. We need to do what we can to help support this unique and specialist provision to ensure log-term sustainability. Only with support can lives be changed and attitudes rethought”

The helpline is also for family members concerned about an older relative/friend, as well as those within the health and social care and criminal justice sectors. The charity is calling on all people and professionals who support older people to reach out, whatever time of day, if they are concerned about abuse, and to promote the helpline number as far and wide as possible.