Help us recruit and train new volunteers for Information and Advice

We are raising £3,000 to recruit and train new volunteers for our Information and Advice service. We provide free information about benefits, entitlements, wills, Lasting Power of Attorney and similar issues to older people in Bristol, making a real difference in their day to day lives. Did you know that we are the only specialist advice service for older people in Bristol?

Last year we saw 1,700 clients with over 3,500 issues. We raised £1.4 million in additional benefits for our clients. This extra money goes directly into our client’s pockets, meaning that many of them were helped above the poverty line. It eases the anxiety in their life and gives them a sense of relief that someone is there to listen and help.

We are able to provide this service thanks to our amazing volunteer team! We have 17 volunteers, each working an average of 5 hours a week. Last year they put in over 4,250 hours of volunteer time. We would not be able to support our clients without them.

We need to recruit and train 5 additional volunteers this autumn. The 5 new volunteers will give us a full volunteer team. Our current volunteers will also have a specialist training course with updates on legislation changes to benefits and pensions.

The funds raised in this campaign will fund the recruitment and training of new Information and Advice volunteers, a training course for volunteers and staff, and volunteer expenses.

Our information and Advice service

The Information and Advice service provides a lifeline to older people in Bristol. Our specialist support helps older people financially, with more money in their pockets, and also mentally, we listen to people and help them untangle the stress.

Many of our clients don’t have access to the internet. Our service supports older people navigate the system and access benefits that they are entitled to.  

Don’t take our word for it, this is what our clients say

Good service, polite, no rush, very helpful, nothing was too much for her, kind and understanding. – Robert, I&A client

Because it was the right atmosphere and didn’t feel belittled, very supportive, patient and friendly. Thank you for Age UK. – Pat, I&A client

For every £1 you donate, it equates to an extra £16 in the pocket of our clients!

Here is what your donation could mean for us!

£10 will pay for one I&A volunteer shift

£50 will pay for the training of one new I&A volunteer

£100 will pay for an hour of the specialist training course for volunteers