HAMPSHIRE Age Concern has a new executive director.

Judy Walker has joined Age Concern Hampshire replacing Rick Smith who left last February and now works for Bupa.

Ms Walker joins from the Stroke Association, where she was for eight years director of services for the South of England.

However she is no stranger to Age Concern, having worked for both Age Concern England and Age Concern Wandsworth.

Ms Walker was also executive director for advice at National Citizens Advice for five years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organisation.

Age Concern Hampshire works to help make growing older a positive experience and where they are respected, valued and are able to make informed choices.

In 2016, Hampshire Age Concern received over 7,900 calls to its information and advice service; we made 180 visits under our OPAL – Older People’s Area Link Scheme and visited over 100 Food and Friendship clients.

In the rural areas, its 60 Village Agents each kept in contact with up to 50 clients, and the Wellbeing activities and Day Care Centres provide care and support to 500 people every week.

The Information and Advice Service receives year-on-year accreditation and we are held in high regard for the quality, caring and supportive approach to our work, ensuring older people, their carers’ and families achieve the very best quality of life.

Ms Walker will be seeking to develop and extend these services, so older people and their families can be supported and remain independent for as long possible.

She is based in Age Concern Hampshire’s Winchester HQ in St George's Street.