Press Releases

The BBC has won four out of five possible categories – including Overall Winner – in the Counsel and Care Awards for positive coverage of older people.

The awards, which are in their first year, were presented by Lord Heseltine at the Counsel and Care Annual Graham Lecture on Thursday 10 September 2009 in London.

They recognise the positive portrayal of older people "in a way that was sensitive, respectful, diverse and age neutral".

The BBC winners were BBC Radio 4's You And Yours – Care In The UK season which won the Best Web category and the Overall Winner category.

The season, which was led by You And Yours but which also ran across other Radio 4 programmes including Woman's Hour and Moneybox, highlighted the lack of provision for social care and how many people are failing to prepare for old age.

The web pages carried a 'care calculator' which estimated how much it would cost to treat certain conditions, a 'care map' which showed different care systems in different areas and a questionnaire which helped highlight preconceptions about issues.

BBC Radio Ulster won in the Best Radio category for their coverage of a Northern Ireland charity's Community Safety For Older People campaign.

The station won the award for a variety of interviews and reports across Radio Ulster bulletins, Good Morning Ulster and Talkback.

BBC One's Imagine: Save The Last Dance For Me won the Best TV category.

The film followed dance company Company of Elders, whose members range from 61 to 85, as they prepared for eight weeks to sharpen their skills for a performance at London's Sadler's Wells.

Alan Yentob, presenter of Imagine and the BBC's Creative Director, said: "At a time when some people have doubted the BBC's commitment to older people it's gratifying to see our content on radio, television and the web getting such an emphatic vote of confidence. I am delighted."

The final category for Best Print was won by Mature Times.

BBC Press Office