Britain is an ageing society, with 23 million of us aged over 50. What’s more, around one in five (20 per cent) of that 23 million is ageing without children.

That includes those who aren’t parents (either by choice or circumstance), as well as those who are estranged or geographically separated from their adult children; those whose children have care needs of their own; or whose children predeceased them.

Ageing without Children (AWOC) was set up in 2014 by Kirsty Woodard and three other campaigners to raise awareness and provide support to this significant, yet hidden, group in our society.

In April 2016, with the support of the Beth Johnson Foundation, it published the first report into this issue, ‘Our Voices’ which created a compelling case for what needs to be done next to respond creatively and compassionately.

To date, no governmental initiative, national charity report or commission has tackled it.

In a survey carried out by AWOC in 2015, 90 per cent of respondents felt that the government had not recognised the numbers of people ageing without children, were unaware of the impact on health and social care, or regarded it as unimportant.

Indeed, the government line on ageing is that ‘families must do more’ - ignoring those for whom that isn’t an option.