Skipton Building Society has partnered with Age UK to deliver a national programme aimed at helping thousands of older people live independently in safe, secure and warm homes.
The initiative, A Place to Call Home, was launched in October 2024 and is being delivered by 11 local Age UKs. It combines one-to-one holistic advice sessions with funding for Age UK’s national Advice Line and research into how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting older households.
So far, the project has supported 1,242 older people and identified £4.6 million in previously unclaimed annual benefits. Among 760 service users found to be eligible for support, the average entitlement amounted to £5,499 per year, with Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit the most common claims.
The programme has fielded more than 6,400 enquiries, with advice on benefits accounting for 56% of cases, followed by care and support, home adaptations, housing and loneliness. Support has been delivered through home visits, phone consultations and face-to-face sessions, while more than 550 clients have been referred on to councils, the Department for Work and Pensions, and housing and health providers.
Skipton members voted in 2024 to select Age UK as the society’s charity partner for three years. Each year, the mutual donates 1% of its pre-tax group profit to causes that align with its values.
David Travis, group secretary and general counsel at Skipton, said: “Age UK was chosen by our members to receive funding over a three-year period. This funding will help provide vital information, advice, support and friendship for older people – including those living in poverty or in deprived communities.
“Our funding will directly support some of the most vulnerable people in society. We’re proud to be working with Age UK to deliver bespoke support to some of those most in need and continue to campaign and raise awareness around the most pressing issues impacting older people.”
Skipton’s backing has also helped fund 14,000 calls to Age UK’s free Advice Line, which is open 365 days a year to provide specialist support for older people and their families.
OLDER RENTERS
Research funded by the society has highlighted that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting some groups harder than before, with older renters, disabled people and those on low incomes worst affected. Age UK’s report warned that one in three older people – equivalent to 4.1 million – felt less financially secure heading into 2025 compared with the previous year.
Paul Farmer, chief executive of Age UK, said: “It’s a tough time right now and the funding Skipton are giving to us will help us support thousands of older people. Skipton really understand the challenges that older people are facing and seeing the difference that their funding is enabling us to make to older people to help them feel safe in their communities, but critically feel safe at home, is very rewarding.”
One older service user, who received tailored advice on council tax and housing benefits, said: “It’s been an absolute Godsend. You did what you said you would do, and quickly too. You really care. Life is much easier getting round the house. It has helped with my confidence. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can sleep better at night.”
The programme is being run in Barnsley, Bradford, County Durham, East London, Leeds, Lincolnshire, Norwich, Sheffield, Southampton, Tameside and Wakefield.
