The Welsh Government has announced that the Director of RNIB Cymru, Sarah Rochira, has been appointed the Older People's Commissioner for Wales.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People congratulates Sarah on her appointment, which comes after four years spent at RNIB. During this time, she has played a key role in helping the charity achieve a number of successes in Wales.
RNIB Group Director for Independent Living, Sally Harvey commented: "Sarah has made a huge contribution to the successes of RNIB Cymru during her time with us. The skills and energy she has shown as a champion for blind and partially sighted people, as well as those at risk of sight loss, will no doubt help her in her new role. We shall be very sad to see Sarah go, but we know she will make a great impact in her new role as Older People's Commissioner for Wales."
Sarah Rochira says: "I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed the Older People's Commissioner for Wales. I am also incredibly proud of the four years that I have spent as Director of RNIB Cymru and Director of Cardiff Vales and Valleys. We have made a real difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people across Wales; we have saved sight, helped pull people out of poverty, helped people back into education and employment and provided a practical helping hand and friendship to thousands. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of my team and volunteers in Wales, to the many partners who have worked with us and above all to our members and people with sight loss in Wales who have been so generous in their support. Together we have made a real difference to the lives of many people, and I know that we will continue to do so.
"As Older People's Commissioner I will be accountable to older people across Wales and look forward to working with and for them, ensuring that their voices are at the heart of what we do. There is much in Wales that we can be proud of but many older people also face real challenges, particularly in the difficult times in which we all live. I look forward to working with my team and together to making a real and tangible difference to the lives of older people across Wales. I want Wales to be a great place to grow old, for everyone."