FAQ

Stakeholders

1. Why did Help the Aged launch engage?
2. How will older people benefit from engage?

Members

1. What type of services can engage members receive from the Charity?
2. What can engage offer these businesses that they can't access elsewhere?

Consumers

1. Is a member told to leave if they do not show commitment to age-positive behaviour?
2. How will you deal with complaints/feedback?

Stakeholders

1. Why did Help the Aged launch engage?

We wanted to influence and help the commercial sector to recognise older consumers and their needs, particularly as our population is ageing: for the first time people aged 65 and over outnumber those aged 16 and under in the UK. Now, more than ever, there is a compelling case for a network like engage.

Through the network, companies can share information on best practice that will lead to standards being raised and greater inclusivity across the commercial sector.

2. How will older people benefit from engage?

The engage network will allow companies to better understand the needs of older consumers, and will promote best practice. This in turn will raise standards, leading to products and services which take into account and meet older people's needs.

Members

1. What type of services can engage members receive from the Charity?

Every engage member can benefit from four unique work streams which will offer a wide range of benefits:

• Market intelligence - an ongoing research programme focusing on demographic trends, breaking down the market for consumers aged 50+ in terms of behaviours and attitudes. The programme focuses on a varied method of communicating with older people via marketing, telephone, online and built environment.
• Facilitation and networking - members and partners can share best practice. They can also offer each other training and consultancy.
• Publishing materials and events - reports, seminars and conferences to highlight best practice, as well as sharing new research findings.
• Accreditation - awarding of an accreditation mark which demonstrates the commitment of participating organisations to age-friendly commercial operations.

All of the above will allow organisations to gain a greater understanding of older consumers and will provide older people with products and services that have been developed with their needs in mind.

2. What can engage offer these businesses that they can't access elsewhere?

engage will hold more wide-ranging and in-depth information about the market of consumers aged 50+ than any other organisation.

Consumers

1. Is a member told to leave if they do not show commitment to age-positive behaviour?

If a company is not showing consistent commitment to age-positive behaviour, they will be asked to provide details about how and why this has happened, and what they are going to do to remedy the situation. If they then fail to put in place an improvement strategy to make any necessary changes and address any concerns, they can be removed from the network.

2. How will you deal with complaints/feedback?

If you have a query or complaint about engage you can contact the engage team on 020 7278 1114 ext 1867.