Age Concern office ‘exceeded expectations’

Age Concern’s information centre in Rolle Street celebrates two yeas this week and has surpassed all expectations says its chief officer.

Age Concern’s information centre in Rolle Street celebrates two yeas this week and has surpassed all expectations says its chief officer.

As the budget cuts begin to bite more older people than ever before are seeking free advice.

The subjects range from tax, benefit claims and computers to insurance, funerals, stairlifts and personal alarms.

Since 2009 they have taken 6,980 phone calls, received 6,576 visitors and dealt with 4,250 information and advice requests.

Bookings for coach trips have doubled in the past two years and a recycling collection service for unwanted bits of jewellery, gold, silver, costume jewellery, watches, old and foreign notes and

coins has been started.

Chief officer Steve Dace said: “The success of the information and advice office has surpassed all expectations.

“We always knew such a centre would be used but we are delighted that so many people are able to do so much more than just pick up an information leaflet.”

He said their ‘one to one’ benefits checks have proved very popular, as has arranging for a volunteer to do a home visit to help a person complete an attendance allowance form.

“This diversity is particularly demonstrated by the

introduction of our most recent services, namely help with personal tax issues and the recently introduced range of new products of interest to older people - funeral planning for example.

“All this has been successful with an excellent team of staff working

with an equally excellent team of volunteers who donate their time,

skills and experience free of charge to ensure such a successful centre holds its place in the locality.”