Christian Council on Ageing (CCOA) is a registered charity governed by a constitution. It is a membership association. Currently, there are around two hundred members. It has adopted the working title CHRISTIANS ON AGEING for most everyday purposes of communication, description and publicity.
How is Christians on Ageing run?
The Council is the formal name given to all the members but it is usually called Christians on Ageing or CCOA.
The day-to-day management of Christians on Ageing is the responsibility of an Executive Committee. This meets four times a year and is elected by all the members at least every three years. Christians on Ageing is fortunate, also, to have Patrons and a President and Vice-Presidents.
The Executive Committee
David Jo
lley , a member of the committee since 2018, and elected Chair in 2020, is an Altrincham-based Methodist. Retired Consultant Psychogeriatician who pioneered psychogeriatic services in the North West of England from 1975. Professor and Medical Director Wolverhampton 1995-2003. Clinical contributions in Primary Care, Hospice and Memory Services until March 2016. Currently Honorary Reader in Psychogeriatrics (Social Care and Society), The University of Manchester. Associate of Dementia Pathfinders. Recent publications: dementia in Primary Care; mental health aspects of hospice work and palliative care; comprehensive services for older people; liaison services; memory services; stigma; care homes; relocation; spirituality and faith in healthcare.
Sr Ma
ureen Murphy joined the committee in 2006 when elected as Treasurer. She had wide experience of charity finance from her eighteen years as the Bursar General of her Religious Congregation, the Franciscan Missionaries of St Joseph, which works in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Ecuador, USA, Kenya and Uganda. Maureen is now Congregation Leader and travels widely to visit the Sisters. She has written a couple of our publications. Maureen has a particular interest in the Congregation’s older Sisters in the Order’s two care homes. She is also an official prison visitor and is involved in furthering our work with older prisoners.
Gerry Burke, appointed as a member of the committee in April 2022 for a limited period, to ensure continuity in the management of the website and newsletter. This follows membership of the committee since 2010; from 2012 to 2018 he was the elected Chair, followed by two years as Acting Chair. Worked for Age Concern (now Age UK) for nearly thirty years following earlier ministry in the Roman Catholic Church. Author of ‘Spirituality: Roots and Routes’, a reflection on the practice of spiritual care in a secular charity, and a CCOA booklet on ‘Dying and Death’.
Revd Dr Joseph Cortis became a member of the Executive in 2020, He has a 40 year background in Adult and Mental Heath Nursing in a variety of roles and clinical settings. For 25 years he occupied a number of different academic and managerial roles at the School of Healthcare University of Leeds until 2015. His research interests and publications focus on diversity, equal opportunities and issues relating to minority ethnic groups. He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Catholic Diocese of Leeds in 2010 and based at the Cathedral parish in Leeds. Since 2016 he has been the founder and co-ordinator of Caritas Leeds: www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/caritas/ and led on a number of initiatives such as looking at the criminal justice system and set up groups to focus on dementia and disabilities.
Tina English Biography to be supplied
Marion Shoard has been a member of the committee since 2019. She often chairs or participates in Christians on Ageing’s Conference Call and writes articles for its journal plus on a range of matters including the Churches’ support for family carers, isolated older people at home, those who face digital exclusion, and older and disabled people living in care homes. Marion’s books include A Survival Guide to Later Life (2004) and her 1000+-page How to Handle Later Life (2017), described as “unique, essential and considerate” by the London Evening Standard. There is information about her publications and activities at www.marionshoard.co.uk.
Barbara Stephens has been involved with organisations supporting people living with dementia and family carers for more than 30 years. She is CEO of Dementia Pathfinders CIC and part of a ‘Provider Collaborative’ delivering a community-based dementia support service in Sandwell, West Midlands. Barbara joined the Executive Committee of ‘Christians on Ageing’ in 2021 and has taken on the roles of Honorary Secretary and Editor of the Dementia Network Newsletter
Joanna Walker Biography to be supplied. She has taken on responsibility as editor of plus magazine
There are vacancies on the Committee which may be filled by the Executive.
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The Executive Committee appoints sub-committees and special task groups.
Who are the Patrons?
The Patrons are leaders of the Christian Churches who have kindly agreed to support the work of Christians on Ageing. They do not take part in the day-to-day management of the organisation but are kept informed of activities and developments. The current Patrons are:
| Revd Esme Beswick | (Anglo-Caribbean Churches) |
| Revd Lynn Green | (The Baptist Union) |
| Cardinal Vincent Nichols | (Archbishop of Westminster, Roman Catholic) |
| Rt Revd Alan Smith | (Bishop of St Albans, Church of England) |
| Revd Dr John Bradbury | (United Reformed Church) |
| Revd Dr Jonathon Hustler | (The Methodist Church) |
| Mrs Elaine Cobb | (The Salvation Army) |
| Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh | (Russian Orthodox Church) |
The President Vacant
Vice-Presidents
Mr Tony Flynn; Revd Graham Hawley
The titles President and Vice-President are offered to members or supporters who have made a significant contribution to the life and work of the organisation. Tony Flynn was Chair of the Finance sub-committee and a member of the Executive Committee for many years until 2016. Graham Hawley was Book Review editor of plus magazine and a member of the Executive Committee until 2016.
