The Big Lottery Fund has put £25m on the table for a partnership of charities to tackle the increasing problem of alcohol abuse by the elderly.

Alcohol misuse in old age is an off-radar issue, but some 1.4m British men and women over the age of 65 are believed to be drinking above safe limits.

As part of its focus on older people, BIG today has announced it is looking for a partner to manage 15 to 20 projects to deal with the issue of elder alcohol abuse. The programme, Rethink Good Health, is worth £25m and Big is looking for a suite of projects which will both inform public policy and improve interventions in this area.

With more pensioners than young people being admitted to hospital for alcohol-related injuries in 2013/14, BIG is attempting to redress the balance given that so many alcohol-related initiatives focus on youth.

Peter Ainsworth, chair of BIG, said: “Today’s investment will help call time on this trend by supporting evidence-based preventative approaches to alcohol misuse among older people.”

BIG expects that the Rethink Good Health will be a partnership of community and voluntary groups, putting forward ideas including proven successes as well as new, innovative projects.

In a statement, University of Bedfordshire’s Dr Sarah Wadd said: “This huge boost that the Big Lottery Fund will give to this area has the potential to lead to a significant reduction in alcohol-related harm in older people, enable them to live healthier, more active and independent lives and reduce distress to families and carers.”

Deadline for submissions is 24 October, 2013.