British Council for Ageing

A union of the British Geriatrics Society, The British Society of Gerontology and the British Society for Research on Ageing

Background

The British Council for Ageing was originally constituted in 1975 and has been re-formed in 2006 in response to the need for an organisation that can speak at national level for the learned societies concerned with the various aspects of old age and the ageing process. The BCA is thus intended to act as a vehicle by which the British Geriatrics Society, The British Society of Gerontology and the British Society for Research in Ageing can provide informed opinions and influence policy making with respect to older people and research in to the ageing process.

Mission statement

The British Council for Ageing (BCA) aims to promote understanding between the different disciplines involved in the study of ageing and older people. The BCA will act as a contact point for policy makers in government and elsewhere, providing informed opinions in the areas of social and medical gerontology and the basic biology of the ageing process. The BCA also aims to raise awareness of current issues for the older individual and the benefits of an improved understanding of ageing.

Structure

The BCA is a union of the British Geriatrics Society (BGS), The British Society of Gerontology (BSG) and the British Society for Research in Ageing (BSRA), but does not replace these societies who will maintain their independence. The secretariat of the BCA will be located within the London offices of the largest society, namely the BGS and will forward enquires to the appropriate society. The BCA will have its own web site and its working executive will meet twice a year initially. The executive will comprise the chairs of the BGS, BSG and BSRA or their representatives. The costs of maintaining the web site, stationery and the expenses of the executive will be split evenly between the three societies.