Independent Age

Independent Age works directly with people over 65 facing financial hardship to improve their lives. The charity uses evidence from its work with older people and expert knowledge to campaign to change policies that affect later life.

“In addition to the 2.1 million older people already living in poverty, many more are facing financial hardship due to the increased costs of living, which impact their quality of life and independence.

Every day, we hear from older people who tell us they are skipping meals to pay the bills, their mental health is deteriorating and they feel more alone as they can’t afford to see friends and family.

That’s why we have a range of services available across the UK.

Our award-winning information and advice service is on the front line of the cost-of-living crisis, helping people access the life-changing money they are entitled to. We also support people in managing their income better.

Our network of volunteers plays an essential role in helping older people to live well and remain independent. This could be through help to fill out financial forms over the phone or facilitating telephone groups, all while building great friendships and gaining new skills.

Across the UK, we work in partnership with local charities funding them to support older people who might be struggling with maintaining their quality of life.

Older people need our help and advice now. With your financial support, we can keep our services open to improve older people’s lives.”

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"I’m honoured to be supporting this appeal for Independent Age, a national older person’s charity working to ensure that as we grow older, we all have the opportunity to live well with dignity, choice and purpose.

More than 2 million older people are already living in poverty, and the cost of living means that many more are facing financial hardship.

Not having enough money to live well impacts on every area of a person’s life, which is why the work of Independent Age has never been more needed.

From high quality information and advice to ensure people get the financial support they are entitled to, to matching them with volunteers who can help them achieve an ambition, the charity’s innovative approach across all of their services encourages independence.

With your support, Independent Age can continue to change the lives of older people for the better."

Thabani, 72, retired from nursing in 2019 with plans to launch a new career in commercial casting and travel the world. Within just a few months, however, the UK went into lockdown, Thabani’s bookings were cancelled, her health sharply declined, and her savings all but dried up.

Thabani soon found herself in arrears with her energy provider, mortgage lender and other creditors. Unable to pay the bills with just her small state pension, she considered selling her home. Then she called Independent Age’s Helpline, whose advisers informed Thabani that she was eligible for financial support, including Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Council Tax Reduction.

Thabani now receives extra money every month, money that she was entitled to but wouldn’t have known about unless she’d spoken to the charity. “I wouldn’t be here without Independent Age,” she says. “I’d be homeless. I can’t thank them enough.”

Semi-retired journalist Denis, 85, has written for the same local paper for nearly 70 years. Used to looking after himself, Denis had a regular schedule of studying languages, writing poetry and practicing Tai Chi. But all that got turned upside down when lockdown hit. Feeling lonely and isolated, Denis wanted a friend with similar interests to connect with. Independent Age paired him with a volunteer named Luke who was studying psychology at the local university – and the two hit it off.

“Luke is over 60 years younger than me, which I thought could be a problem at first, but he makes me feel young again,” says Denis. “Meeting him gave me a focus to look forward to every week and meant I had a reason to get out of the house. I’m very grateful to Independent Age for providing me with a friend in Luke.”

Fiona, 72, can go weeks without seeing or speaking to anyone. “When I’m depressed, everything seems hopeless and grey,” says the grandmother of two. After joining one of Independent Age’s weekly telephone groups, she found that sharing her feelings with others gave her a new sense of perspective.

The groups offer information and advice on topics ranging from getting online to seeking financial support and managing one’s mental health. “With only a few callers on the phone each week, everyone has a chance to share tips and learn from each other,” says Fiona.

“The weekly calls are just like having a group of friends round to your house. We catch up on each other's news, talk about our grandchildren and swap stories. When you’re on your own, small things can escalate and you feel like you’re the only one struggling. Sharing it with other people makes you feel less alone.”