IRT Foundation relaunched as Age Matters
Late February, IRT Foundation, an IRT Group initiative tackling homelessness, ageism and social isolation, rebranded and changed its name to Age Matters.
![<p>IRT Foundation has been rebranded and changed its name to Age Matters. [Source: Supplied]</p>](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/news/articles/IRT-to-Age-Matters.jpg?fm=pjpg&format=auto&w=550&q=65)
IRT Foundation has been rebranded and changed its name to Age Matters. [Source: Supplied]
Established in 2009 as IRT Research Foundation, the initiative has been helping disadvantaged older people in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and New South Wales (NSW) South Coast.
Age Matters will still be the only initiative in the Illawarra tackling socially disadvantaged older Australians who are either homeless, lonely and/or jobless.
IRT Group Executive General Manager – Strategy, Sam McFarlene, says the rebrand is a better reflection of what the Foundation does and the ambitions it has for the future.
“I’m incredibly proud of everything IRT Foundation has achieved over the past decade and of the support IRT Group has been able to give along the way,” says Mr McFarlane.
Age Matters Head of Social Impact, Toby Dawson, says the team remains committed to providing disadvantaged older Australians with access to supported housing and services and opportunities for social and civic participation.
“[This] marks the start of bigger and better things to come for Age Matters and we’re excited for what the future holds,” says Mr Dawson.
“But we can’t fight homelessness, loneliness and joblessness among older people alone.
“We need the community’s support to drive serious change and I encourage everyone to get involved with the awareness and fundraising initiatives we have planned for 2020.”
The aim of the IRT foundation establishment was to provide new research into ageing and expanded into education, advocacy and community grants in 2014, and is now directly helping disadvantaged older Australians.
IRT Foundation has helped establish the Age-Friendly Illawarra Alliance, Career Check Up Expos for Mature Workers in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Commission, and Booraja, a home care pilot program providing culturally appropriate home care services to older Indigenous people.
For more information about how you can help Age Matters, head to their website.
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