The Hourglass mission is simple: end the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people in the UK.

As the only UK-wide charity focused on the abuse and neglect of older people, we have over 30 years’ experience and expertise.  Over that time our work has touched tens of thousands of lives, shaped government policy and amplified the issue in national press. That is why Hourglass is so vital.

Over 2.6 million people are affected by the abuse of older people in the UK each year.  The abuse of older people is now at epidemic levels and urgent action is needed to work towards a society where people can age without fear of abuse, have access to necessary services and are given equal opportunities and recognition. Addressing the abuse of older people demands increased understanding and parity with other forms of abuse in the social and political consciousness.

Our Frontline Services

Our frontline services are central to our work. We  deliver Europe’s only  freephone 24/7 helpline and provide longer-term case work support for older victim-survivors of abuse, harm and exploitation. This work is an absolute lifeline for older men, women and their families suffering from domestic, physical, psychological, economic, sexual abuse and neglect.

Research and Campaigning

With an ageing population, we need to turn the hourglass for millions of older people before it’s too late.

We work to transform the political and social systems that enable or ignore the abuse, harm and exploitation of older people. We drive social change through campaigning and shaping policy, producing and commissioning research, and by challenging widespread ageism that normalises this form of abuse.

The Knowledge Bank

This is where the Knowledge Bank fits in; a free-to-use one-stop shop of research, policy, and frontline material designed to provide information and guidance about the abuse and mistreatment of older people,  ageism, exploitation and safer ageing.

By centralising this information, we hope to support professionals, practitioners, policymakers, researchers and the public to access vital evidence and guidance about the abuse of older people.

The Knowledge Bank is designed to drive progress – a space to learn, to connect, and to take steps towards a world where ageing is respected and abuse is no longer tolerated.