Society funds new Age UK project in eight locations across the UK

Yorkshire Building Society are funding a new two-year Age UK project that has launched in eight locations across the UK to help older people in their local communities as part of its £1million charity partnership with Age UK.

The Building Better Lives project will focus on providing one-to-one support for up to 4,700 older people across the UK as they encounter key life events that could have a significant impact on their financial situation, such as the loss of a partner, a health diagnosis, changing care or housing needs. It will also see Age UK provide online and printed information and advice to thousands more.

Recent figures reveal that last year there were 2.1 million older people in the UK living in poverty[i]. Age UK is dedicated to addressing this through practical support for older people and this new project will aim to strengthen older people’s financial resilience, helping those most vulnerable when they need it most.

Yorkshire Building Society is committed to helping Age UK achieve this goal and the Building Better Lives project will be funded through money raised by Yorkshire Building Society’s colleagues, customers and the public over the next two years.

Mike Regnier, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Building Society, said:

Now more than ever, older people need a trusted place they can turn to for advice and support. The coronavirus pandemic has intensified what was already a dire situation for thousands of vulnerable older people. This is why we are so proud to be working with Age UK to ensure that older people facing challenges have someone to turn to in a time of crisis.

The project will be delivered by local Age UKs working in Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford, Carlisle and Eden, East London, Gateshead, Gwent, Sutton, as well as in Scotland by Age UK partner charity Age Scotland.

Hannorah Lee, Director of Partnerships at Age UK, said:

We are delighted to be able to launch the Building Better Lives project in these eight locations thanks to the money being raised by Yorkshire Building Society. A crisis can strike at any point, and Age UK is proud to be there for older people when they need us the most. We hope to make a life changing difference to 4,700 older people through these projects, helping them to be better prepared, and able to manage their money today and plan for the future.

If you would like to donate to support Yorkshire Building Society’s and Age UK’s Building Better Lives programme please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/yorkshire-building-society-customer-donations

All information correct at time of publication.

W20-21

 

 

[i] DWP. (2021) Households below average income: 1995 – 2020. Retrieved 25/03/2021 from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-for-financial-years-ending-1995-to-2020

In 2019/20 18% - equivalent to 2.1 million pensioners were living in poverty (below 60% of median household income after housing costs)