Older People in the Media Awards 2014

Following our participation in the Older People in the Media Awards last year, we're delighted to be involved again this year. We're proud to be backing a special Gransnet Award for the best older person’s character in a film, TV or radio drama.

The awards are a celebration of the best coverage of older people’s issues in all media, from news reporting to photojournalism and portrayals of older people in films or TV drama. The winners will be annonced at a special ceremony in central London on Tuesday 19 November 2013, with the aim of shining a light on coverage that has either positively portrayed older people, or sensitively highlighted the issues they face.

Winners from previous years have included, amongst others, BBC1 Controller, Danny Cohen for his brave and groundbreaking season of BBC1 documentaries, When I’m 65, Dame Maggie Smith for her feisty, funny portrayal of the Dowager Lady Grantham in Downton Abbey, and Louis Theroux for his sensitive exploration of living with dementia in his documentary, Extreme Love.

The awards have also recognised the excellence of lesser-known names such as dementia care worker and social media enthusiast, Darren Gormley, who last year saw off a host of media heavyweights such as BBC1’s Panorama, Channel 4’s Dispatches and BBC News to be crowned the event’s champion of champions. 

Voting has now closed for the 2014 Older People in the Media Awards. Thank you for all your votes! Watch this space, we'll be announcing the winners here very soon.

This year's categories

Nominations are now open for this year’s 10 categories, which are:
 
1.   Best factual newspaper or magazine article about older people's issues
2.   Best factual radio programme about older people's issues
3.   Best factual TV programme about older people's issues
4a. Best factual new media content (written) about older people's issues
4b. Best factual new media content (video) about older people's issues
5.   Best coverage of issues around dementia (special award)
6.   Best use of photogaphy to illustrate older people's issues
7.   Best independent voice on older people's issues (Independent Age special award)
8.   Best older person's character in a film, TV or radio drama (Gransnet special award, voted on by the readers of Gransnet)
9.   The 'Thorn' Award: worst example of stereotyping, factual error or misleading information in the coverage of older people's issues

You can nominate in all categories through the Independent Age website and for the Gransnet special award on the thread. Voting for 2014 awards has now closed. We'' announce the winners here soon.

This year’s chair of judges, TV and radio journalist and broadcaster, John Sergeant, said of the awards:

"Older people are not a homogenous group, and no one, including the media, should make assumptions about them based solely on their age. I am proud to be a part of this year’s Media Awards, which recognise and celebrate those in the media who are working so hard to highlight just how astonishing older people can be, and who, through their work, are recognising the importance of the issues they face. These awards are important - they not only recognise and reward good journalism, but they will help offset the casual ageism that sadly is all too common throughout the media."

Independent Age
 
Founded over 150 years ago, Independent Age is a growing charity helping older people across the UK and Ireland through the ‘A, B, C’ of advice, befriending and campaigning. We offer a free national telephone and email advice service focusing on social care, welfare benefits and befriending services, which is supported by a wide range of printed guides and factsheets. This is integrated with on-the-ground, local support, provided by a network of over 1,500 volunteers offering one-to-one and group befriending.

Barchester Healthcare

Barchester Healthcare is recognised as a major UK care provider that is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. The organisation has adapted and grown over the last 21 years, focusing on older people needing nursing care in high-quality environments and providing personalised support for adults of all ages with a range of disabilities.

We pride ourselves on our expert dementia care. Our Memory Lane Communities are designed to encourage people living with dementia to stay as independent and active as possible. We understand that no two people are the same and take a person-centred care approach, recognising and celebrating each person's individuality. Barchester employs almost 17,000 people to care for more than 10,000 individuals at more than 200 locations in the UK. We are the only care provider listed in The Sunday Times 25 Best Big Companies To Work For 2014 and are certified as one of Britain’s Top Employers for 2014. In our most recent customer satisfaction survey 95% of respondents said that nurses and carers "treat residents with dignity and respect".