The Christian Council on Ageing has recently undertaken a re-branding exercise in order to raise the profile of the issues that affect older Christians in the UK.

The organisation, established in 1982, is the largest ecumenical organisation specialising in addressing the needs and potential of older Christians.

With the number of people in the UK over 60 steadily rising, CCOA claims that the needs of older Christians are often neglected by churches.

In addition there is a wealth of knowledge, experience and ability that is not being fully used because too often churches are preoccupied with younger people.

The re-branding exercise has included a fresh look to its quarterly magazine and publications and also includes a new website at www.ccoa.org.uk.

Jo Kennedy, CCOA's Chairman, stated, "There could well be as many as 1.5 million older Christians in the UK. Understanding their spiritual needs is important, but to disregard the potential they offer is tragic.

"CCOA is set on a campaign to change the current failure to recognise these issues in so many of our churches in this land."

The Christian Council on Ageing is the largest Christian organisation in the UK addressing the spiritual needs and potential of older people, and is a body in association with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.