A new support group has launched in Portishead for people ageing without the support of adult children.
Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) has announced the launch of the second Ageing Without Children (AWOC) North Somerset group.
This new group in Portishead expands support for residents who are ageing without the support of adult children.
The launch comes ahead of World Childless Week in September, which aims to raise awareness of the unique experiences and challenges faced by childless individuals in later life.
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The Portishead AWOC group follows the successful launch of the first North Somerset AWOC group in Weston-super-Mare and forms a key part of the wider Improving Ageing in North Somerset (IANS) programme.
The national charity, AWOC, was established to raise awareness about the increasing number of people entering later life without children for various reasons, including circumstance, infertility, bereavement, estrangement, or personal choice.
Research and demographic trends indicate that one in four people over 50 are now ageing without children.
The Portishead group will offer a welcoming environment for people to connect with others who share similar experiences, build supportive relationships, discuss later life planning, and contribute to shaping services and support for older people in North Somerset.
The group will also work to ensure that the voices of people ageing without children are heard within broader discussions about healthy ageing and age-friendly communities.
The Portishead group forms part of the wider Improving Ageing in North Somerset programme, a five-year initiative coordinated by VANS.
The programme aims to ensure older people's voices are heard, tackle ageism, support marginalised communities, and create a more age-friendly North Somerset.
People ageing without children are one of several groups being prioritised through the programme to ensure they receive the recognition, understanding, and support they need.
As World Childless Week approaches, VANS is encouraging local media, community organisations, and decision-makers to engage with conversations around childlessness, ageing, and future care and support arrangements.
The organisation hopes to increase awareness of the realities facing people who may not have traditional family support networks in later life and to spotlight the importance of inclusive planning across health, social care, and community services.
Anyone interested in joining either of the North Somerset AWOC groups is encouraged to reach out.
For more information about the North Somerset AWOC groups, please contact Nicky on IANS@vansmail.org.uk or by calling 01934 416486.
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