Our History

Who we are

Age Concern Mole Valley is the result of the merger of the two local Age Concerns in Mole Valley. On 30 September 2014, under the authority of the Charity Commission, the assets and responsibilities of the charity Age Concern Dorking & District, were transferred to Age Concern Mole Valley North, which was renamed Age Concern Mole Valley and will support older people across the whole district of Mole Valley.

Dorking & District – It is important from a legacy point of view to record a time line of changes to the name and development of our charity. In 1946, at the instigation of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), the Dorking Old People’s Welfare Committee was set up and charged with a challenging mandate. In 1971 our name changed to Dorking Old People’s Welfare Association, a further name change in 1974 we became Dorking and District Old People’s Welfare Association. In 1987 we became Dorking & District Age Concern, and in 2010 we became Age Concern Dorking & District.

Mole Valley North – in 2005 this charity was created with the main aims of providing support to people over 65 in the Leatherhead, Ashtead, Bookham and Fetcham areas and to help older people overcome social isolation and loneliness. Age Concern Mole Valley North was one of the first Age Concerns to setup computer classes for older people, which is still one of our key services.

Finally, after the merger of Age Concern Dorking & District with Age Concern Mole Valley North, we became Age Concern Mole Valley in 2014. We continue to develop and build on the invaluable work of both charities.

Age Concern Mole Valley recognises how important it is to work in partnership with other statutory and voluntary sector organisations in order to ensure that the older people of Mole Valley receive the services they need. We work closely with other Age Concerns in Surrey and we are a friend of Age UK Surrey.