Age UK’s Cost of Living Response Fund
Older people have been among the hardest hit by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. In December 2022, Age UK launched a Cost of Living Response Fund programme to help older people through this challenging period, at community level.
Why we launched the programme
Towards the end of 2021, Age UK polled older people to better understand the impact that the cost-of-living crisis would have on them.
23% of the most disadvantaged older people told us they felt the increase in costs would have a severe impact.
Concerns included not being able to pay for essential items and household bills and as a result being pushed into debt, living in cold houses, eating less and cutting back on social activities with friends and family to survive.
About the programme
Age UK’s Cost of Living Response Fund programme awarded £5 million to 126 local Age UKs who delivered a range of interventions across 5 key areas: information and advice, home support, meal provision, social support and/or physical activity, and day centres.
95% of the Age UK Network applied for and got funding through the programme, receiving up to £40,000 each to deliver interventions, with the majority choosing to provide information and advice.
Key achievements
- From March 2023 to March 2024, the programme directly supported 94,912 older people.
- 10,141 people were supported to identify and apply for benefits. This has led to £848,105.25 of weekly benefits being identified.
- 8,467 older people received home support services such as cleaning, shopping and gardening.
- 57,767 meals were delivered to 3,098 older people, making sure they had access to hot and nutritious food.
- 20,189 older people took part in 102,031 hours of physical and social activity, including coffee mornings, befriending and seated exercise.
- 17,598 older people attended day centre activities such as crafts, digital inclusion, bingo, ‘Knit and Natter’, choir, lunch clubs and warm hubs.
Stories from the programme
Social activities: How Age UK Wigan helped Evelyn
Shy and softly spoken Evelyn was struggling to engage with other people since moving into retirement housing. She felt down and sometimes depressed, and meeting new friends wasn’t easy due to a lack of activities where she lived.
Evelyn began attending Age UK Wigan’s Sing That Song activity, started with support from Age UK’s Cost of Living Response Fund. Although Evelyn was initially quiet and reserved, the Age UK Wigan team were able to welcome her into the group and she now can’t wait to sing on Tuesdays.
Evelyn said: "I was miserable and always staying in my room. I thought I would give Sing That Song a try and it’s changed my life, I love it. I have met new people at the group. Even my family have noticed a difference, saying I am happier."
Information and advice: How Age UK Kensington & Chelsea helped Antonio
Antonio retired 4 years ago and receives a low amount of State Pension. He and his wife are carers for their adult daughter, who has learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. His wife has also been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
High energy bills had put huge financial and emotional strains on the couple's finances. Despite having a number of health conditions of his own, Antonio’s main fear was not being able to look after his wife and daughter. Antonio told his GP about his financial struggles and was referred to Age UK Kensington & Chelsea for a benefit check.
The benefit check showed that Antonio and his wife might be entitled to £91.08 per week in Pension Credit, and that Antonio was eligible for Higher Rate Attendance Allowance. He feels he can breathe a sigh of relief now, and has said he feels more confident and less worried as he is aware that can rely on Age UK for any issue he might have.
Read more in our report
Learn more about the impact of the Cost of Living Response Fund programme in our full report.