A WALES-wide search is on to find the unsung heroes that make life better for older people in communities across the country.

Age Cymru’s ‘Age Cymru Awards 2015’, will be honouring individuals and organisations for their positive contribution to older people’s lives.

The charity’s chief executive, Ian Thomas says:

“Age Cymru wants an age friendly Wales in which older people have the same respect, rights, opportunities and access to services as other age groups.

“We’re looking for the individuals and organisations that share our vision and make a real difference to the lives of older people across Wales every day.

“They could be someone’s neighbour; a postal worker; a member of staff at the corner shop or a charity volunteer at our local hospital.

“Perhaps there’s a utility company that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help an older person; or a care home whose staff are kindness personified.

“Whoever these people or organisations are, if anyone out there knows someone who deserves an Age Cymru Award, please come forward and nominate them.”

Members of the public, the business community and the care home sector can nominate an individual or organisation who they think deserves an award.

The categories in the Age Cymru Awards 2015 are:

· The Outstanding Contribution Award - this award will be given to an older person or organisation who through their actions, has been truly inspirational in making life better for older people;

· The Volunteer Award - this award will be given to an Age Cymru volunteer whose contribution has been outstanding in their actions to help Age Cymru create an age friendly Wales;

· The Business Award – this award will be given to a business or organisation that goes the extra mile in meeting the needs of older people and demonstrates it delivers excellent customer service;

· The Community Award – this award will be given to an organisation or service that has demonstrated a positive impact on the lives of older people in their local area;

· The Care Home Award – this award will be given to a care home whose exceptional practice epitomises the ethos of Age Cymru’s My Home Life Cymru programme;

To nominate someone or an organisation for an Age Cymru Award, please visit www.agecymru.org.uk/awards2015 or contact Age Cymru on 029 2043 1555.

Nominations close on 15 December 2015.

The Age Cymru Awards will be presented to the winners at Age Cymru’s glittering Gala Dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff on Friday 11 March 2016.