Pictured above: Daniel Blake, Policy Director at UK charity Action on Elder Abuse and Ian Cranefield, a personal litigation specialist at Nottingham law firm Berryman

Action on Elder Abuse, the UK's only charity dedicated to protecting the elderly and preventing the abuse of vulnerable adults, has developed a unique partnership with Nottingham law firm Berryman.

Under the exclusive partnership arrangement, Berryman provides complimentary training for the charity's staff on legal matters regularly affecting callers to the Action on Elder Abuse telephone Helpline, which receives more than 12,000 calls each year from concerned relatives of vulnerable adults and individuals working with the elderly. More than one-third of calls to the charity are from victims of abuse themselves.

Daniel Blake, the charity's Policy Director, explains: "The work of Action on Elder Abuse is fundamental to challenging adult abuse in the UK. With the rise in the elderly population and an increase in those individuals suffering from dementia or long-term health conditions, the work of the charity and the support it brings to the elderly, their families and carers, has never been more important.

"Our Helpline provides a vital link for the elderly and their carers, in reporting their concerns over possible or actual abuse. Training from Berryman's solicitors that equips our staff with increased knowledge on the legal implications and issues, is invaluable. In addition, the charity is now able to refer callers to Berryman so they can discuss more 'complex' legal concerns such as issues over probate, Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney and abuse itself."

Unlike other organisations for the elderly, AEA focus exclusively on the issue of elder abuse, not as one issue among many, but as a single focus to its work. The charity was established in 1993 by a group of practitioners from health and social care, and academics and representatives of the voluntary sector, who were concerned about the lack of information and assistance for those who were abused or were at risk of abuse. Today, AEA addresses abuse within people's own homes - whether by family, friends or paid staff - within sheltered housing, and within care homes and hospitals.

"The main types of abuse of the elderly are neglect, financial, psychological, physical and sexual," explains Daniel. "A recent study into the abuse and neglect of older people revealed that 4 percent of older people were abused by someone in whom they had an expectation of trust. Analysis of calls to our helpline relating to financial offences in a single year revealed that 165 houses were sold or taken without consent and the total monetary value involved could be estimated at £50,000,000."

Berryman's Ian Cranefield, a personal litigation specialist, leads Berryman's team dedicated to supporting AEA. He explains: "The work of the charity was highlighted at last year's annual conference, following which Daniel and I discussed the idea of Berryman working jointly and in partnership with the charity. If presents our firm with the opportunity to enhance the knowledge of AEA helpline staff and in turn strengthen the support they can provide to callers."

Ian is one of the legal specialists in the multi-disciplinary Berryman Healthcare team, which provides dedicated expertise and support, tailored to the needs of the dynamic healthcare sector and advises on all areas of sector specific law and legal and operational practice which impact upon private healthcare providers, their funders and advisers.