Avoiding ageist language shows respect for people of all ages and ensures they feel valued and included in your organisation’s activities.
Here are some things to consider:
- Avoid referencing specific age groups when recruiting staff or volunteers. By prioritising one group, you could disadvantage another. For example, if you’re looking to diversify the age range within your volunteer group, rather than saying ‘We particularly welcome applications from young volunteers’, you could say: ‘We welcome volunteers of all ages.’
- Avoid terms that imply age-related stereotypes, such as ‘energetic’ or ‘inexperienced’. This language could unintentionally alienate or exclude a particular age group. Instead, use neutral descriptions based on skills and qualifications.
Some everyday phrases also have problematic origins – we’ve included some key examples below.