Age UK B&NES is extending its information and advice service to three new community locations – Foxhill, Twerton and Timsbury – making it easier than ever to speak to an advisor and get the help you need.
The service can provide information and advice on issues of concern to older people, their families and carers. This could be helping check that they are getting the benefits they are entitled to, such as Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit or Carers Allowance, as well as advice on local care services and housing.
Age UK B&NES staff can also help with completing complicated official forms and can signpost to other organisations that may be able to help further.
Last year the information and advice service helped to put an extra £333,500 per year into the pockets of local residents by supporting them to claim benefits they are entitled to.
The new community services are the result of a new partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau in Bath. Age UK B&NES will now be available on the CAB mobile van as follows:
- Foxhill Community Centre car park on the fourth Monday of every month, starting on February 25;
- Timsbury Conygre Hall car park (North Road), on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from February 20.
- An advice session will also be available on the third Thursday of each month, starting on Thursday February 21, at Rose Cottage, High Street, Twerton, in a room next to Rosco’s café.
All sessions run from 10am – 1pm and no appointments are needed. However if you do want to make an appointment or talk to someone about your query in advance just call the Age UK B&NES office on 01225 466135.
The charity’s other advice sessions will continue as usual:
- Kingsmead Square office in Bath on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays (9.30 – 4.30pm);
- One Stop Shop on Manvers Street, Bath, on Tuesday and Friday mornings (9.30am – 1pm);
- Keynsham Baptist Church, High Street, Keynsham on the first Tuesday of the month (10am – 12noon);
- Radstock Methodist Church on the first Thursday of the month (10am – 12noon).
Age UK B&NES’ chief executive Janet Dabbs says: “We’re very happy to be able to offer more sessions in the community, thanks to working with the CAB here in Bath and North East Somerset.
“Many older people are still not claiming all the benefits they are entitled to. Others are anxious about how to deal with the choices they may face in later life, such as how to find more help at home or reach decisions about life-changing events like moving into supported accommodation or residential care.
“Our advisors are trained to clarify their entitlements, options and choices in a clear and straightforward way, and assist them to make decisions which are right for them. That is why older people, their families and carers really appreciate this advice and information service.”
Age UK B&NES is a local charity that supports around 12,000 older people, their families and carers every year, with essential services. It has a small team of staff and around 150 volunteers who assist with a variety of tasks including day care and lunch club provision, toenail cutting and home from hospital services.
The charity is always looking for more support, funding as well as volunteers. Please get in touch if you can support this local charity in any way.
Please call 01225 466135, email [email protected] or visit www.ageukbanes.co.uk.
