OUR PRESIDENT  Dr Mervyn Eastman CQSW  was one of the Co-founders of PAVA with Jacki Pritchard in 1997, formally Head of BGOP is now a Co-Director of Change Agents in London.

Dr Eastman began his career in the early 1970's, he trained in social work and has worked in all fields relating to the needs of older people. Author of numerous publications on a range of issues related to age and ageing. In 1999 he was one of four recipients of  Action on Elder Abuse's 'Five year Anniversary Awards' for a significant contribution to raising awareness of elder abuse in the UK and in the same year was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by Middlesex University for his work with older people.

He has for many years challenged the way professionals, organisations and society generally views older people and considers that public services will only radically change once older people are fully engaged at all levels of decision making and are seen as a resource, not a health and care drain.

PAVA, a registered charity developed to PAVAUK with expansion to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

Please read his article 'Human Rights, Practitioners & Dignity' which follows in the Christmas 2009 Newsletter..