PEGS commits to supporting older workforce

PEGS has committed to an age-friendly approach to employment by signing up to a national pledge.

The Age-friendly Employer Pledge has been launched by the Centre for Ageing Better in a bid to ensure those in their 50s and 60s don’t face barriers when it comes to getting back into or continuing their career.

The Centre for Ageing Better is a charitable foundation funded by the National Lottery Community Fund which focuses on ensuring the reality of ageing is better for everyone – looking at everything from challenging ageism to ensuring the UK’s homes are suitable for the growing older population.

As part of this, they’ve conducted research into the job market, finding that – despite there being a real skill and labour shortage right now – older workers are still being overlooked and many feel they face prejudice.

In fact, more than a third of 50 to 70 year olds (36%) feel at a disadvantage applying for jobs due to their age – even though they make up a third of England’s entire workforce (nearly 9 million workers are 50 or over).

Being part of the nationwide programme means we will be actively looking at ways to improve the recruitment, retention and development of staff aged 50 or over. This means ensuring job adverts are worded to be inclusive of everyone regardless of their age, our diversity and inclusion policies take age into account, and that we recognise older workers may be disadvantaged when it comes to searching for a job if they have to detail every job they’ve had since leaving school.

The Centre for Ageing Better also encourages employers to recognise just how beneficial having older workers within their team can be – not only has research shown this can improve productivity, but there are also benefits surrounding intergenerational sharing of skills and knowledge.

You can find out more about the pledge here.

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Founding Director, Michelle, has been awarded an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours for Family Support and Advocacy.

By PEGS Admin • June 15, 2026

Child to Parent Abuse organisation founder awarded MBE The founder of a social enterprise which has supported thousands of parents impacted by abusive behaviours from their children has been awarded an MBE. Michelle John, originally from Pembrokeshire in Wales but now based in Shropshire, was among the names announced for the prestigious accolade in the King’s Birthday Honours List this year. In 2020, Michelle set up not-for-profit organisation PEGS with the aim of supporting parents and carers, training professionals, influencing local and national policy, and raising awareness of Child to Parent Abuse – which is thought to affect up to one in ten households in the UK. Since then, she has grown a team of experts who have trained police, social workers, teachers and many other professionals to better recognise the signs of CPA, support parents, and signpost to specialist organisations. In addition, Michelle set up a range of parent-focused initiatives including daily practitioner-led online sessions, a Facebook peer support group which now has 3,300 members, and one-to-one offerings for those at highest risk. PEGS launched a CPA Covenant for employers in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, only the fourth such covenant to be backed by the Government, and Michelle has advised everyone from the Home Office to Channel 4 and the BBC on CPA – the latter for storyline on Hollyoaks and EastEnders. Her work has seen CPA covered by journalists across television news programmes, national newspapers and magazine, and regional press and radio, and she’s received numerous awards both in the UK and internationally. Michelle, whose MBE was awarded for Family Support and Advocacy, said: “This honour is also shared with the parents who have trusted me along the way: they drive me, inspire me and I will always stand with them. “I feel proud, privileged and very grateful – and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me and PEGS along the way. There is much more to come for PEGS, and we will continue to work every day for the parents and carers who have been or continue to be impacted by CPA. “There is so much to reflect on from the journey of the last six years, and there have been many highlights and challenges along the way. I am sure there will be many more in the future – although being told I’d received an MBE will always remain a truly incredible moment that I’ll remember forever!” For more information about us, visit www.pegsupport.co.uk or search for 'PEGS' on social media!