Charity tackling the hidden reality of poverty in later life with advice, information, grants and campaigns. No one should face financial hardship in later life
There are so many ways you can fundraise to make a difference for the older people we support at Independent Age, and we appreciate every single effort 💚
Take a look at our fundraising opportunities (including this year's Great North Run!) today: independentage.org/support-u…
ALT Mohamed is an older bald man wearing glasses. He stands outside and is grinning warmly. A quote from him reads: "I'm proud to do something for vulnerable people. It's a privilege to be able to help others less fortunate than we are and I am really impressed by how Independent Age is run."
Across England and Wales, the postcode lottery of water support is leaving too many older people to ration this essential.
A national social tariff would provide consistent support for those on low incomes.
Sign the #TappedOut petition today: campaigns.independentage.org…
ALT Four beer taps representing water companies across England and Wales present the average annual water bill for each provider while a pint glass underneath shows the percentage of a typical bill covered by the company's social tariff. United Utilities - £660 and 54.3% covered by social tariff. Hafren Dyfrdwy - £635 and 37.8% covered by social tariff. Dŵr Cymru - £683 and 61% covered by social tariff. South West Water - £740 and 31.2% covered by social tariff.
ALT A further four beer taps representing water companies. Wessex Water - £695 with 29.9% covered by social tariff. Southern Water - £759 with 25.1% covered by social tariff. Thames Water - £658 with 39.3% covered by social tariff. Anglian Water - £674 with 38.5% covered by social tariff.
ALT The final three water companies in England and Wales represented by beer taps show Severn Trent Water - £587 with 68.7% covered by social tariff. Yorkshire Water - £636 with 37.3% covered by social tariff. Northumbrian Water - £535 with 37.6% covered by social tariff.
1.7 million older people are living in poverty with a million more hovering on the brink.
That's too many people risking their health and wellbeing to make ends meet.
The UK Govt can and must change this.
Help us make a difference, become a campaigner:
independentage.org/campaign-…
ALT Text reads: Nearly 9 in 10 people think the UK Government has a role to play in ensuring that older people maintain a decent standard of living. Icons represent this with images of a house, a tap, a shopping trolley, purse and cup of tea.
Support for carers can feel difficult to navigate if you're helping an older person in your work or community.
This #CarersWeek, sign up to our free professional training sessions to gain a better understanding of the support available for older carers:
independentage.org/advice-tr…
ALT A pair of hands hold a white heart. Text reads: 1 in 5 carers over 65 live in poverty.
Thousands of older couples aren't receiving support intended to keep them out of poverty simply because of who they love.
We need an end to the unfair mixed-age couples rule.
Ask your MP to support our #FixMixedAgeRule campaign:
campaigns.independentage.org…
Help us by sharing 📢
ALT A quote from Lynn, 62 in Eastbourne reads: "After seven months of receiving Pension Credit we got a letter saying there has been a mistake and we weren't entitled to it because we are a mixed-age couple."
Too many older people aren't receiving the support they are entitled to.
Every week our Helpline hears from people who are rationing basics to get by. It doesn't have to be this way.
We need a take-up strategy to ensure we can all live well in later life
independentage.org/policy-an…
ALT A hammer rests next to a broken piggy bank. A quote from an Independent Age adviser reads: "There is definitely a massive gap between what older people are entitled to and what they receive."
Being able to afford your household bills is essential to living a dignified life.
Yet too many older people are cutting basics and living in cold rooms to get by.
The UK Govt must do more to support older people with costs.
independentage.org/policy-an…
ALT Text reads: 1 in 5 older people on a low income in Great Britain would find it difficult or impossible to cover an unexpected bill of £50 without borrowing money.
Do you work with or support older people in your community?
Our guides are packed full of clear, expert advice to help with the issues that matter in later life and you can order copies straight to your door.
Take a look today:
independentage.org/get-advic…
ALT A selection of Independent Age advice guides covering subjects including home security and paying for care at home in Scotland. Text reads: Free advice guides, factsheets and leaflets.
Want to make a difference this #VolunteersWeek?
Whether you've got a little or a lot of time to share, we're grateful for your experiences, thoughts and ideas.
Here's how you can help us tackle poverty in later life: independentage.org/volunteer…
ALT Yvonne stands in her doorway, she has short lilac hair and wears a striped top with a shirt over it. A quote from her reads: "If you want to make a positive difference to the lives of older people, join Independent Age."
Older people shouldn't have to ration their water because they are struggling to afford their bill.
We're supporting @IndependentAge's #TappedOut petition for a national water social tariff to ensure consistent, reliable help with water bills for those that need it👇
Where you live shouldn’t determine the level of financial support you receive for your water bills, but the current system means too many older people are having to ration this essential.
Sign the #TappedOut petition for a national social tariff: campaigns.independentage.org…
We're hiring a Participation Manager to be responsible for developing a lived experience participation network.
Applicants should have an understanding of potential barriers with exceptional organisation and communication skills.
Closes: 14 June
Apply: jobs.independentage.org/Vaca…
ALT An older woman with short white hair smiles. She stands outside and wears a blue patterned fleece over a blue t-shirt. Text reads: We're recruiting... Participation Manager.
Happy birthday to Bill Paterson!
It was great working with Bill on our calls for a pensioner poverty strategy in Scotland.
We hope you have a brilliant day 💚
Take a look back at Bill's video here: youtu.be/NV_q3mveALQ
ALT Actor Bill Paterson sits in an armchair. He wears glasses and has his legs crossed with his hands in his lap. He looks down slightly and has a serious expression on his face.
We're looking for an Adviser to join as an integral part of the day-to-day delivery of our Advice and Support Service.
The role will provide specialist support on Scottish Housing, Social Care and Welfare Benefits.
Closes: 15 June
Apply: jobs.independentage.org/Vaca…
ALT An older Black woman smiles warmly, she wears a colourful traditional necklace and headpiece and has short dark hair. Text reads: We're recruiting... Adviser.
Where you live shouldn’t determine the level of financial support you receive for your water bills, but the current system means too many older people are having to ration this essential.
Sign the #TappedOut petition for a national social tariff: campaigns.independentage.org…
We're developing our new strategy as part of our goal to end poverty in later life.
To help inform our work, we're asking organisations and individuals we've worked with to take a short survey:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…
Responses are anonymous and confidential. Closes Fri 5 June.
Happy birthday to acting icon Brian Cox!
We hugely appreciated Brian's support during our campaign to reverse the damaging Winter Fuel Payment changes.
From all of us at Independent Age, we hope you have an amazing birthday!
independentage.org/
ALT Actor Brian Cox looks intently into the camera. He wears a dark brown waistcoat with a checked shirt and tie.
We look forward to working with the new Scottish Parliament to improve later life for all.
Ahead of the Holyrood election, we set out our own manifesto but how did the other parties compare when it comes to tackling pensioner poverty?
medium.com/independent-age/s…
Around 70,000 older people are losing out on support intended to help keep pensioners out of poverty, simply because of their partner’s age.
We're calling for an end to the unfair mixed-age couples rule.
Ask your MP to support our #FixMixedAgeRule call:
campaigns.independentage.org…
ALT In the background are several pastel-coloured sweet-like heart shapes. Text reads: Mixed-age couples will have to wait even longer for vital support as the State Pension age rises. #FixMixedAgeRule
Happy birthday to the wonderful @SueHolderness!
We're so grateful for all of Sue's support in helping us raise awareness of the issues facing older people in financial hardship.
Have a lovely day 💚
Take a look at our latest project with Sue: youtu.be/z_mqM2Ntbcg
ALT Actor Sue Holderness is sat in a cafe wearing a bright blue roll-neck jumper. On the table in front of her is a mobile, a mug of tea and a slice of cake. In the background the rest of the cake can be seen. She smiles warmly at the camera.