BIOGRAPHY

Heléna is the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales (OPCW) – an independent statutory role established in law to protect and promote older people’s rights. She took up post in 2018 after over 30 years working on ageing and older people’s issues. Starting her career working directly with older people and their families in day centres and care homes, she has influenced public policy, campaigned for change and developed and provided support services for older people.As OPCW Heléna has set out four priorities - to protect and promote the rights of older people; to end ageism and age discrimination; to stop the abuse of older people; and to enable everyone to age well.Prior to her appointment as Older People’s Commissioner, Heléna was Chief Executive of Carers UK, the national membership charity for unpaid carers. Experience before that includes as Services Director at Age UK, and Head of Policy at Age Concern England.Heléna has led and contributed to a number of UK Government advisory groups covering topics including care and support, housing, dementia and carers. She also spent a year on secondment working on older people’s issues at the Department of Health. Heléna is Chair of the UK Industrial Strategy Healthy Ageing Challenge Advisory Group, a member of the British Society of Gerontology and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She is also a member of the Church of England Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, serving in a personal capacity.In 2017 Heléna was awarded a CBE for services to carers.

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