Help us to raise £10k for I&A!

Age UK BRWF has announced the launch of ‘£10k for I&A’, a 12-month campaign to raise funds to help support the continued operation of its free Information & Advice service (please watch the short video above).

The service is at the heart of the charity’s local work supporting the over 50s living North Worcestershire. Our team of trained advisors offer information and advice on a range of topics (including social care, benefits advice, staying safe, warm and independent at home, as well as support for carers), regularly supporting over 445 clients a month (with a combination of telephone, face-to-face, home visits and community support) and last year raised over £1.3 million in annualised benefits for members of the North Worcestershire community.

Speaking about the service Age UK BRWF’s CEO, Amanda Allen, said

"I feel very passionate about our I&A service…it isn’t just about supporting people to fill in forms to apply for benefits…it is a holistic approach incorporating many other services, supporting people’s overall wellbeing".

The importance of the service is re-enforced by the national Age UK team's latest report, Back to cutbacks: How older people are managing the cost of living in a time of rising energy prices highlighting the impact that the ongoing cost of living challenges is having upon older people, warning that many pensioners are still struggling (particularly with energy costs and warming their home), with 34% of older people said they felt less financially secure heading into 2025 compared to a year before.

Amanda added, "Because of the times we are living in, people are struggling, and the service is needed more than ever, however we are finding it increasingly difficult to raise the funds needed so that we can continue providing our free Information & Advice service."

The Government’s Autumn Budget measures, which come into effect this month, will have a significant impact on the charity’s finances, but we are determined to ensure that we can continue providing vital support to the North Worcestershire community.

Over the course if the next 12-month we will be hosting a series of events and activities (our first being an Easter Raffle – tickets are currently available from our Windsor Street office along with our Providence Road, Rubery, Mason Road and Walter Nash Charity Shops) to help raise funds for our I&A service. You can help us by supporting these events or why not hold your own (how about hosting a cake sale, organise a dress-down day, take on a challenge – let us know your idea and how we might be able to support you!). You can also donate via our dedicated Help us to raise £10k for I&A JustGiving Page!