The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales wants to hear senior citizens' views on how to make the country the best place in the world to grow older.

The views and ideas shared by older people will be used to support the development of the Heléna Herklots' work programme, which will be published in April.

The programme will deliver against three key long-term priorities for Wales – ensuring everyone can age well, ending ageism and discrimination, and stopping abuse of older people – which the Commissioner has identified following extensive engagement with older people and stakeholders since she took up post in August last year.

Ms Herklots said: “Many older people in Wales enjoy a good quality of life and I have visited many projects and services that are making a positive difference to their lives.

“There is, however, still a great deal of work to be done to ensure that all older people know their rights and that their rights are upheld, that they are safeguarded from abuse in all its forms, are supported to age well, and that the ageism and discrimination that underpins many of the issues they face is brought to an end.

“My work as commissioner over the next three years will therefore be delivered against these key priorities and I want the voices, experiences and ideas of older people, and those working and volunteering with older people, to inform my work.”

The commissioner is particularly keen to focus on work that will improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable older people, those whose voices often go unheard, and those who are at risk of harm, and will also use her work to highlight the significant contribution that older people make to their communities and to society.

She added: “Older people have a huge amount of knowledge and experience and I am looking forward to hearing from them, as well as those who work with and for them, about the changes that are needed and how these can be delivered to make Wales the best place in the world to grow older.”

You can respond to the commissioner’s consultation by visiting the Commissioner’s website, or call 03442 640 670 to receive a hard copy. The closing date for responses is Friday, February 22.