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independentage.bsky.social
Independent Age
@independentage.bsky.social
360 followers 120 following 370 posts
UK charity tackling the hidden reality of poverty in later life with advice, campaigns and grants.

Call our free Helpline on 0800 319 6789
https://www.independentage.org/
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independentage.bsky.social
Are you a strategic leader who can strengthen how the sector supports older people through training?

We are seeking someone with analytical skills and experience in managing the development of an external training provision.

Closes: 24 Nov
https://jobs.independentage.org/Vacancy.aspx?ref=X232-25
An older woman with a short grey bob and glasses smiles at the camera. Text reads: We're recruiting... Head of Information and External Training.
November 15, 2025 at 7:59 AM
independentage.bsky.social
We recently took Gwenda to her local B&M to see her photo proudly displayed in store as part of our partnership with B&M and P&G.

Until Sat 15 Nov, grabbing your essentials from our B&M and P&G partnership will help us support older people on low incomes.
www.bmstores.co.uk/lifestyle/ba...
Gwenda, an older woman, smiles at the camera as she holds a cleaning product in each hand. She stands in front of a display at the end of a B&M store aisle which features products from the brand's partnership with Independent Age. Gwenda stands with a group of B&M staff and an Independent Age colleague outside of the store. Behind them is a bright orange and blue balloon arch. Everyone holds up one of the products from the partnership with Independent Age and Gwenda has a trolley of products in front of her. Gwenda stands next to the end of aisle display showing products from the B&M partnership with Independent Age. She smiles while holding a trolley full of products.
November 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Through the Boosting Advice Fund, Independent Age is proud to support @rmcentre.org.uk

RMC’s project helps refugees and migrants over the age of 65 living in Walsall and Wolverhampton to get the support they’re entitled to.

Learn about our grant-making:https://www.independentage.org/grant-making
Image showing a poster from Independent Age and RMC. Text reads: The Refugee and Migrants Centre (RMC) received a three-year grant from Independent Age via the Boosting Advice Fund. Awarded to 19 UK charities, the Fund aims to expand advice and support for older people in financial hardship. Below the text, photo of people gathered in a community setting, sitting and standing around tables with drinks, engaging in conversation. Second panel in Independent AGe and RM post. Text reads: RMC’s project supports older refugees and migrants across the West Midlands at greater risk of poverty in later life due to barriers like digital exclusion and language challenges. Staff and volunteers offer help in over 50 languages, giving people the advice and skills they need to live independently. Photo under text shows woman writing on a whiteboard. Third panel in a post from Independent Age and RMC. Text reads: From February and July 2025, the RMC supported 116 refugees and migrants aged 65+ to access support they were entitled to. 26 older people were able to boost their income, unlocking an incredible £221,816 in additional financial support, including Pension Credit. Photo under text shows woman doing arts and crafts on a table with others. Fourth and final panel in a post from Independent Age and RMC. Text reads: In the coming years, RMC’s project will continue to provide older refugees and migrants with stability, dignity, and independence. Grant partnerships like this are a vital part of Independent Age’s efforts to provide advice and support to older people in financial hardship across the UK. Photo beneath text shows a man behind a desk giving advice to an older person.
November 14, 2025 at 9:59 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Over a quarter of older renters are living in non-decent homes 🏠

Nobody should have to risk their wellbeing by living with cold, damp and mould, which is we are supporting @healthequals.bsky.social's calls for the UK Government to act.

We all deserve a safe and warm home.
healthequals.bsky.social Health Equals @healthequals.bsky.social · 2d
Older private renters are living with damp, mould and cold in their homes – and it’s threatening their health and wellbeing.

That’s why our supporter @independentage.bsky.social​, joined us at the Launch of Hazmat Loungewear.

Find out more about what we are calling for.👉https://bit.ly/4nHViVo
November 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Ageing doesn't have to mean hardship and insecurity but the UK Government must act now to #MakeAgeingFair.

With the Budget approaching, ask your MP to support the millions of older people forced to make impossible choices each day to get by:
https://campaigns.independentage.org/page/181525/-/1
November 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Independent Age is excited to welcome Tony Discipline to our London Marathon 2026 team!

Tony’s incredible efforts will help us reach more older people through our Helpline, ensuring they get the support they need.

Find out more: 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/tony-disc...
Smiling man holding a sign in front of a wall with the Independent Age logo on it. The sign reads: Older people should be made aware of existing support.
November 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Up to 1.2 million older people aren't receiving the Pension Credit they are entitled to

Our free, anonymous finance calculator is a great way to make sure the older people you care about aren't missing out on support that could make a difference:
https://independentage.entitledto.co.uk/home/start
Anonymous quote reads: I was struggling until Independent Age advised me that I was eligible for Pension Credit. I think it is a disgrace that people are eligible for this and are not notified.
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
independentage.bsky.social
The UK Gov's response to the pensioner poverty inquiry is a missed opportunity.

Without commitment to improve income adequacy for older people now, or to strengthen the social security system, too many older people will continue to go without essentials.
www.independentage.org/news-media/p...
Illustration shows a coin purse with a small 'x' icon in front of it. An anonymous quote reads: I have used my savings so that I could live, and now I have nothing left.
November 10, 2025 at 2:28 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Do you support older people within your role?

Gain confidence and experience with the issues that matter in later life through our free professional training sessions.

Take a look today:
https://www.independentage.org/advice-training-for-professionals
Anonymous quote reads: A fantastic insight into Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and how to navigate the online benefits calculator tool through Independent Age.
November 10, 2025 at 7:29 AM
independentage.bsky.social
As we mark Remembrance Sunday, we are thinking of all those who have lost their lives in conflict.
Text reading 'Remembrance Sunday' is laid over a background of illustrated red poppies.
November 9, 2025 at 7:59 AM
independentage.bsky.social
No one should have to go without meals or live in cold homes in order to pay their rent.

The UK Govt must uprate Local Housing Allowance to ensure that older renters can afford their rent without cutting back on essentials.

Ask your MP to act today:
https://www.independentage.org/campaign-with-us
An anonymous quote reads: My Housing Benefit covers less than half of my rent.
November 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
independentage.bsky.social
1 in 4 older private renters live in homes with issues like damp, cold or mould.

We’re joining @healthequals.bsky.social in calling for the urgent action to ensure all private renters live in healthy homes.

Ask your MP to act: healthequals.org.uk/hazmat-loung...
November 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Older renters are at greater risk of poverty in later life but unaffordable housing costs are worsening the situation.

Without intervention, the number of older private renters could treble to more than 1 in 10 by 2040. We all deserve an affordable home.
campaigns.independentage.org/page/180937/...
Quote from Thomas reads: The increases in rent over the past year have far outstripped the increases in pension...and because Housing Benefit is based upon an unrealistic rent, I now pay 60% to 70% of my income in rent alone.
November 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Support for renters is not keeping up with changes in housing costs.

Unaffordable housing costs are pricing too many older renters out of their homes, often forcing them to leave an area they're connected with.

Ask your MP to support older people today:
campaigns.independentage.org/page/180937/...
A quote from Mary reads: My Housing Benefit only covers approx two thirds of my rent. I have to use money from my State Pension to pay £116 of my rent every week.
November 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
independentage.bsky.social
For #TrusteesWeek, our Chair of Trustees Richard Anderson writes about his role at Independent Age and how our trustees help us in our aim of ending poverty in later life.
https://medium.com/independent-age/trustees-week-board-poverty-later-life-e255fdac76c6
Trustees’ Week: How our Board helps in our goal to end poverty in later life
As part of Trustees’ Week, our Chair of Trustees Richard Anderson talks about his role and what drew him to Independent Age.
medium.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Over 25% of older renters in England live in non-decent homes 🏠

Too often older renters can't afford properties suited to their needs or of a higher standard because of unaffordable housing costs.

Join our calls for change:https://www.independentage.org/campaign-with-us

@crisis-uk.bsky.social
Quote from Sheila reads: my Housing Benefit every four weeks is £325. My private rent is £1,500 per month. So, as you can see, it doesn't help a lot.
November 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
independentage.bsky.social
We're #recruiting a Policy Officer.

The role will research and help produce engaging and accessible content for reports and briefings to support our efforts to directly impact national policy.

Closes 16 November

Apply here: https://jobs.independentage.org/Vacancy.aspx?ref=X230-25
An older man with glasses and a black jacket smiles in a garden setting. To the right, a blue panel displays the Independent Age logo, with text reading "We're recruiting... Policy Officer" and the website "jobs.independentage.org" at the bottom.
November 3, 2025 at 4:59 PM
independentage.bsky.social
2 in 3 older renters who receive Housing Benefit aren't receiving enough to cover their rent.

With @crisis-uk.bsky.social + the Cover the Cost coalition, we're calling on the UK Govt to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance at the Budget.

Join our work:
campaigns.independentage.org/page/79357/s...
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Too many older people are making dangerous cuts because our of our overly-complex social security system.

We need a take up strategy to ensure that older people now and in the future receive the support they are eligible for.
https://www.independentage.org/policy-and-research/research-reports
Illustrations of a silhouette of a head with clouds around it. An anonymous quote reads: Long, tedious, repetitive - by the time you've finished you feel absolutely awful, mentally exhausted and worry you won't get the help.
November 1, 2025 at 9:59 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Our polling shows there is little awareness of how racially minoritised communities are at greater risk of poverty in later life.

For #BlackHistoryMonth, we're exploring the structural inequalities that shape people's financial security into later life: medium.com/independent-...
Text reads: 31% of Black, African, Caribbean and Black British older people and 27% of Asian and Asian British older people are living in poverty.
October 31, 2025 at 9:55 AM
independentage.bsky.social
An estimated £2.5 billion in Pension Credit wasn't received in 2023/24, a sharp increase on the year before.

It is unacceptable that this vital support is failing to reach the older people who need it most.

Action is needed more urgently than ever.
www.independentage.org/news-media/p...
An illustrated piggy bank is broken with a hammer next to it. A quote from an Independent Age adviser reads: There is definitely a massive gap between what older people are entitled to and what they receive.
October 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Only 67% of older households in Scotland are receiving Pension Credit despite being eligible.

These figures come at a time when pensioner poverty is at it's highest in almost 20 years. We must ensure that all older people receive the support they need.
www.independentage.org/news-media/p...
An illustrated shopping basket is filled with food. A quote from Arthur in Glasgow reads: By the time I've paid my rent and bills, there's nothing left. There have been times when I just go hungry for days, with not even any milk or tea bags in my kitchen.
October 30, 2025 at 11:18 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Every week, our Helpline supports older people like Paula who are struggling to make ends meet.

You can help us be there for more older people facing financial hardship by supporting our vital work: https://www.independentage.org/support-us

See more of Paula's story: https://youtu.be/yRcQZ2yhzQo
October 29, 2025 at 8:01 AM
independentage.bsky.social
📢 Scammers are using confusion over the Winter Fuel Payment to target older people with fake messages.

The DWP will never ask for your personal details by text or email, and most people will get the payment automatically.

Learn more:
www.which.co.uk/news/article...
Pensioners warned to stay alert as winter fuel payment scams soar - Which?
Scammers are taking advantage of confusion around the benefit
www.which.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
independentage.bsky.social
📢 On Saturday, we joined thousands of people in Edinburgh to say #ScotlandDemandsBetter!

Nobody should have to skip a meal or live in a cold home in later life but too many older people in Scotland are and #WeDemandBetter.

Together we can make a difference.

@povertyalliance.org 💚
October 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM