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independentage.bsky.social
Independent Age
@independentage.bsky.social
360 followers 120 following 400 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
Our new report reveals how the #CostOfLivingCrisis remains a relentless challenge for many older people on a low income, squeezing budgets and stripping away their quality of life.

The UK Govt must act on this serious issue. https://www.independentage.org/policy-and-research/surviving-not-living
A flashing police light illustrates a quote from Carol, 70: How about 'permanent cost-of-living crisis'? Because that's how it feels.
November 30, 2025 at 3:59 PM
independentage.bsky.social
You can change lives.

Millions of older people in the UK face financial hardship. Independent Age provides free advice and support, but we need your help.

Get inspired by Helen’s fundraising story and start your own challenge:
https://www.independentage.org/support-us/fundraising/helen
A person wearing a white "Independent Age" t-shirt holds a red charity collection bucket. The bucket has a blue label with the words "Independent Age" and "Thank you," along with the website "independentage.org."
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Our Winterwise guide, sponsored by UK Power Networks is full of advice for older people on how to keep well over winter. It is split over three sections:

✅ Staying warm
✅Staying safe
✅ Staying well

Download or order a free copy: https://www.independentage.org/get-advice/winterwise
A promotional image for Independent Age's "Winterwise" guide, featuring an older person wearing a black beret, purple coat, and white scarf. The guide aims to provide advice on staying warm, safe, and well during winter, supported by UK Power Networks. The background shows trees and blurred park scenery. The logos of Independent Age and UK Power Networks are visible.
November 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
independentage.bsky.social
The announced measures do not go far enough to ease the burden of escalating bills and to prevent older renters from making dangerous sacrifices to manage their rent.

We need the UK Government to commit to ending poverty in later life.
www.independentage.org/uk-budget-20...
An anonymous quote reads: Don't wait until it's too late. You need to listen to older people now.
November 26, 2025 at 2:26 PM
independentage.bsky.social
The UK Government has missed an opportunity in the #AutumnBudget to tackle pensioner poverty and support the two million older people forced to make drastic choices each day to get by across the UK.

www.independentage.org/uk-autumn-bu...
Two stick figures each hold up a bar chart showing the number of older people living in poverty in the UK. The figure representing 2022 shows that there were 2.1 million older people in poverty while this is projected to rise to 3.9 million in 2040.
November 26, 2025 at 2:26 PM
independentage.bsky.social
"I have to decide whether I eat, or heat the bungalow"

Fuel poverty is forcing too many older people to make desperate choices about their essentials.

On #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay, the UK Govt must ensure those in greatest need are protected.
medium.com/independent-...
Snowflake and thermometer icons illustrate text which reads: An energy social tariff would lift 360,000 older households out of fuel poverty.
November 26, 2025 at 10:16 AM
independentage.bsky.social
With the Budget this week, the UK Govt has an opportunity to ensure that everyone can live with dignity and purpose in older age.

By joining us as a campaigner, you can help us call for an end to pensioner poverty. Together we can #MakeAgeingFair.
https://www.independentage.org/make-ageing-fair
November 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
independentage.bsky.social
It was a great opportunity to highlight the challenges older people can face while discussing the ways we can and must improve later life for all.

Thank you to all attendees!

Find the full report here: www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
A screengrab from an Independent Age webinar shows three people in three different windows - Chief Executive Joanna Elson, and Ellie and David from the Policy team. They all have different Independent Age backgrounds behind them and smile at the camera.
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
independentage.bsky.social
As part of our Surviving not living report launch, we hosted a webinar to share insights from our research.

Campaigner Paul shared his own experiences of how soaring household costs are devastating the budgets of older people on a low income.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
Paul, an older man with white hair and wearing a blue fleece sits at a wooden table. He's looking at a laptop in front of him as he takes part in an Independent Age webinar.
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Last week, we joined @crisis-uk.bsky.social and other organisations in calling on the UK Government to act and ensure that Housing Benefit matches the true cost of rent.

Your voice matters. Ask your MP to stand up for older renters today: campaigns.independentage.org/page/180937/...
A man and a woman are stood in Parliament Square, Big Ben can be seen behind them. They both hold placards calling for the UK Government to support older renters and unfreeze housing benefit.
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Looking for a challenge?

Why not take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon while helping our vital work supporting older people facing financial hardship! We'll help you every step of the way 🏃‍♂️

Find out more:
https://www.independentage.org/get-involved/london-landmarks-half-marathon-2026
Icon of a stick figure running. A quote from Grace, an Independent Age fundraiser reads: Though it's been tough at times, I am truly grateful to be fundraising for such a deserving cause. Independent Age have a huge positive impact.
November 23, 2025 at 2:59 PM
independentage.bsky.social
When Sara faced housing uncertainty, RMC were there to advocate for her and help her get support.

With our grant-making, we’re proud to support @rmcentre.org.uk and other charities helping older people in financial hardship.

Read Sara's story: rmcentre.org.uk/news/equal-r...
A handwritten note displayed on a window reads, "My community helped me find friends. - Helped me find home." It is framed with a patterned border and accompanied by logos for "Independent Age" and "RMC." Text below "Sara's story" appears in a green box at the bottom.
November 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
independentage.bsky.social
The rise in energy prices will come during the height of winter and could be devastating.

Older people are sleeping in coats and seeking warmth in public places. They need and deserve protection from sky-high energy costs.

The UK Govt can change this.
www.independentage.org/news-media/p...
An anonymous quote reads: My energy bills are costing me two weeks' worth of my State Pension. It means I'm living off £35 a week for food.
November 21, 2025 at 9:58 AM
independentage.bsky.social
#CarersRightDay: The overly-complex Carer's Allowance application process leaves the majority of applicants without any financial gain.

But not applying can risk older people missing out on other vital support.

The process must be simplified and improved. www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
An illustrated piggy bank has been broken, a hammer lies next to it. A quote from an Independent Age adviser reads: There is definitely a massive gap between older people are entitled to and what they receive.
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
independentage.bsky.social
2 in 3 older renters receiving Housing Benefit aren't receiving enough to cover their rent.

With @crisis-uk.bsky.social, we're calling on the UK Govt to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance so that no renter has to cut basics to get by.

Ask your MP to act:
campaigns.independentage.org/page/180937/...
November 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
independentage.bsky.social
Our research shows that as the cost-of-living crisis stretches on, older people are cutting back, cancelling services and exhausting any small savings .

Continuing this way risks older people plunging into debt to afford essentials. Action is needed.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
A flashing red police light illustrates a quote from Carol, 70 which reads: "How about 'permanent cost-of-living crisis'? Because that's how it feels."
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Finding the funds to cover emergency costs can be extremely difficult for older people on a low income.

The support for emergency costs should be better promoted, made more consistent and prioritise support through cash.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
A washing machine and basket illustrate a quote from Kim which reads: "I worry if any major bill comes in, or breakdown of things in the home, boiler, washing machine or large white goods. How am I going to cover the cost? I am not alone in this." Text reads: 1 in 5 older people on a low income in Great Britain would find it difficult or impossible to cover an unexpected bill of £50 without borrowing money.
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
independentage.bsky.social
With limited ways to reduce their Council Tax, some older people are taking to extremes to avoid missing payments like draining savings and cutting back on food.

Governments must work to increase Council Tax Reduction take up by streamlining the process.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
An anonymous quote reads: I have to pay Council Tax so have to manage, even if it means going without elsewhere. Text reads: More older people are worried about managing their Council Tax payments now than two years ago. Two purses show the percentage of older people worried about managing their Council Tax - in 2023 this was 33%. A larger purse icon shows that this has risen to 44% in 2025.
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Internet access can be essential for managing appointments, shopping and staying connected but many older people we spoke to are having to cancel the service to manage costs.

Social tariffs that help customers on low incomes must be proactively promoted.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
A quote from Sandra, 77 reads: “The social tariff is amazing! One bill I no longer have to worry about. Made a huge difference.” Text reads: 3 in 5 older people surveyed were not aware that broadband social tariffs existed.
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
independentage.bsky.social
The postcode lottery of support with water costs in England and Wales means that older people are reaching harmful levels of self-rationing with washing and flushing the toilet less.

We need a national water social tariff to support with rising costs.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
An anonymous quote is illustrated by a pink kettle. It reads: I only use my kettle once or twice a day - more often than not just once. I flush the toilet once in the morning and once last thing. I use my washing machine just once a week, and have a bath just once. Text reads: More than 2 in 5 older people living on a low income in England and Wales are keeping up with their water bill, but have found it either a 'constant struggle' or a struggle from 'time to time'.
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Unaffordable energy bills are forcing many older people to cut back and endure cold, dark homes.

An energy social tariff would support those on a low income, and those with extra energy needs, with greater long-term protection from high energy costs.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
An icon of a bed illustrates a quote from Ivor, 72: "In order to keep warm during the colder days I have resorted to going to bed for hours". Text reads: 1 in 10 older people living on a low income in Great Britain have visited a public place to stay warm over the past six months.
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
independentage.bsky.social
The cost-of-living crisis was hoped to be a short-term issue but has morphed into a relentless challenge.

Household bills have been soaring and squeezing the budgets of older people on low incomes so that too many are “surviving not living”.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
Text reads: More than 1 in 4 older people living on a low income in Great Britain can only just afford their essential costs and often struggle to make ends meet.
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Being able to afford your household bills is essential to living a dignified life.

Despite this, our new research reveals the shocking scale of older people having to make impossible choices between paying bills and affording their essentials.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...
An older woman with grey hair and a striped shirt sits in a beige armchair, holding a banknote. Text reads: Surviving not living. The impact of persistently high household costs on older people living on a low income.
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
independentage.bsky.social
Our research shows just 8% of landlords had used grants to improve the EPC rating of their properties.

With older renters shouldering the costs of energy-inefficient homes, the UK Govt must simplify and promote grants to improve the quality of homes.
https://www.independentage.org/turning-the-dial
Illustration of a sack of money with piles of notes beside it. An anonymous quote from a landlord reads: I'm not aware that there are even grants. I don't know what else is out there.
November 16, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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