Age UK B&NES is seeing increasing demand for its information and advice service, particularly from older people needing help with claiming benefits.
The service provides information and advice on issues of concern to older people, their families and carers, right across Bath and North East Somerset. This could help checking they are getting the benefits they are entitled to or providing advice on local care services or housing.
Last year the Age UK B&NES helped to put an extra £333,500 into the pockets of local people by supporting them with benefit claims – this was money people were entitled to but didn’t know how to go about claiming themselves.
Christine Tucker, information and advice co-ordinator, said: “There has been an increase in demand for home visits over the last few months, particularly from people with disabilities. We have seen some major changes to the benefits system, most of which don’t affect the over 65s, but they have caused confusion.
“We now have a number of people waiting for a home visit from someone to help them with their benefit forms and we really need new volunteers to help. We will provide full training – we just need people who can spare a few hours a week and who ideally have some computer skills.”
A benefits home adviser is needed to make two or three home visits every month across the area to help people with forms, letters and phone calls. A volunteer is also needed at the Bath office for half a day a week or more to provide advice and support to older people on a wide range of topics.
The Age UK B&NES Information and advice service is available as follows:
- One Stop Shop in Manvers Street, Bath, on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings between 9.30am and 1pm (please note it has changed from Friday mornings to Thursdays).
- At Age UK B&NES’ main offices at 18 Kingsmead Square, Bath. People can either drop in, make appointments or telephone in on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
- Radstock Methodist Church – drop-in session first Thursday of the month, 10am – 12noon.
- Keynsham Baptist Church Hall – drop-in session first Tuesday of the month, 10am – 12noon.
- Timsbury, Conygre Hall, North Road (in CAB van) – drop-in session first and third Wednesday of the month, 10am – 1pm.
If you would like to volunteer please call the office for an informal chat on 01225 466135, or email [email protected].
