Our latest Quarterly Impact Brief illustrates how VSS is delivering transformative support to thousands of older people across NI.
With compelling evidence demonstrating significant positive impact on health, wellbeing, and community connection, the brief also illustrates how older people are are powerful agents of change, actively advocating for the services victims and support victims and survivors need.
Older People Driving Progress
Reflecting the UN’s International Day for Older People theme “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action”, VSS’s work demonstrates how older people are active agents of change rather than passive recipients of care.
VSS’s older service users are powerful advocates who shape services through their lived experience, contributing invaluable insights that benefit all victims and survivors.
Evidence of Impact
53% of those directly accessing VSS support in 2024/25 were over the age of 60. This represents the thousands of people affected by the Troubles/conflict, Historical Institutional Abuse, and those impacted by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.
With a 10% increase in this demographic in the last 3 years, it is important to know that older people require more interventions per person compared to younger service users, with the most utilised frameworks being:
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- Disability Aids;
- Social Isolation Support;
- Persistent Pain Management; and
- Psychological Therapies.
Improving Everyday Wellbeing
Many older people who have received trauma-informed support say they feel more able to cope with daily life. 62% showed improvement in a wellbeing measure called the Work and Social Adjustment Scale.
746 people aged 60 and over have completed complementary therapies this year (2024/25), such as massage, acupuncture or reflexology. 82% said they felt better afterwards, based on a Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile.
Reducing Loneliness and Isolation
The Disability Aids Framework is the most used support for older people, with 60% saying it helped them feel more able to manage daily life.
This connects with the support provided by our community partners, where 93% of those using befriending services are aged 60 or over, showing just how important these services are in helping older people feel less alone and more supported.
Creating Connection and Community
VSS’s befriending programme exemplifies transformative peer support. Older survivors don’t merely receive connection—they actively create it. With an average age of 73, volunteer befrienders, through community partners, help reduce social isolation whilst building resilient support networks that extend far beyond individual service provision.
Service Development
Older service users are partners in shaping VSS services, ensuring support remains relevant, accessible, and effective. Their decades of experience guide VSS towards what matters most, driving improvements that benefit all service users whilst building more responsive and compassionate services.
Looking Forward
Investment in trauma-informed support for older survivors is key to delivering for this demographic. Evidence demonstrates improved outcomes, from reduced isolation and better pain management to enhanced community connection and personal empowerment.
VSS remains committed to ensuring age is never a barrier to accessing support. Through continued stakeholder partnership and transparent impact demonstration, we will ensure victims and survivors receive the comprehensive, compassionate support they deserve.