Two organisations set up to support care home residents have joined forces to launch Care Rights UK, a charity aiming to act as a voice for older people and their families.

The Relatives & Residents Association and Rights for Residents have launched Care Rights UK, which aims to fight for better lives for people in care, challenging poor care and highlighting good practice.

Trish Davies, chair of Care Rights UK, said: “Bringing together the 30 years’ experience of the Relatives & Residents Association, in providing individual advice and support, with the campaigning energy of Rights for Residents, we have created a stronger and more powerful voice for the rights of older people. During the past three years the rights of people in care have been ignored and abused; our work is needed more now than ever.”

Diane Mayhew, campaign manager of Care Rights UK, said Rights for Residents had “grabbed the opportunity” to work with the Relatives & Residents Association. “For the last three years our grass roots campaign group, Rights for Residents, has been fighting for the rights of those in care,” she said. “Our commitment and willingness to support loved ones in care and speak on behalf of the voices that can’t be heard, burns stronger than ever. With providers warning that the social care system is at crisis point, people are struggling with a failing sector. If we are to prevent more older people ending their lives without proper care, we must act now.”