Mervyn Eastman

Mervyn Eastman has spent over forty years in and around social work and care. After his retirement from a Local Authority Director of Social Services, he led the UK Government's Better Government for Older People Programme. In 2010, he co-formed Change Agents, an older adults multi-stakeholder Co-operative.

As an author and writer, he continues to challenge both civic and civil society with regard to ageism, especially "compassionate ageism", and later life sexuality. He continues his work of over thirty years in the area of adult safeguarding. He authored the first book outside the USA on elder abuse in 1984, which has since been translated into many languages.

Apart from his role in the Co-operative movement, he hosted weekly radio shows including Age Speaks and Care Speaks. He co-founded The Later Life Audio and Radio Co-operative and continues to be active in democratising the voices of older people. He contributes regularly to academic journals and books and, as a blogger and podcaster, is nationally recognised as an age activist.

In 2000, he was conferred with a Doctorate by Middlesex University in recognition of his work and influence.

He is married with two daughters and lives in Essex.