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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 41m

This #GiftAidAwarenessDay we're celebrating all our amazing supporters. If you #TickTheBox when you donate, thank you!

But every year, charities are still missing out on £560m in unclaimed Gift Aid. So help us spread the message to #TickTheBox

https://www.independentage.org/

Image promoting Gift Aid. It shows a donation box with a heart symbol, a checked tick box, and a wrapped gift box. Text reads: "Your Donation + TickTheBox = 25% Extra Free." Additional text encourages "#TickTheBox," stating it doesn’t cost extra and helps more.

Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 15h

Poverty among pensioners is often overlooked and underestimated but the risk of financial hardship in later life is significant and rising.

In a new blog for @povertyalliance.org, we call for system changes to deliver security not struggle for older people.
www.povertyalliance.org/guest-blog-s...

Guest Blog: Security not Struggle for Scotland’s older people

Matthew Sayers, Scotland Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer Independent Age Click here to read the Independent Age manifesto to reduce pensioner poverty Every day at Independent Age - the nation...

www.povertyalliance.org

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 18h

Whether Helpline callers are looking for advice for themselves or for older people they care about, we can help.

Our Helpline advisers offer free and impartial support on a range of subjects.

📽️ WATCH: Actress Sue Holderness visits Independent Age: https://youtu.be/7TwSapxhvkE

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 22h

We are pleased to announce that Independent Age has been #PIFTick re-certified ✅

This means that our advice and information is up-to-date, evidence-based and easy to use.

Find out more about how we produce our information:
https://www.independentage.org/get-advice/how-we-produce-our-information

How we produce our information

Discover how we produce trustworthy, up-to-date information to support older people, based on research and user feedback.

www.independentage.org

Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 1d

There are around 160,000 older people facing poverty in Scotland and this number is set to rise if we don't act.

In just over 2 weeks, we'll be joining the #ScotlandDemandsBetter rally to call for a better later life for everyone.
https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/

Text reads: We support Scotland Demands Better. Be there for better! The march for all of us - Edinburgh - 25 Oct. Scotland-Demands-Better.Com

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 1d

Independent Age is heading to Aberdeen for the #SNP Conference!

Ahead of 2026's Holyrood election, we'll be discussing why we need action to tackle pensioner poverty in Scotland.

Check out our new manifesto: https://www.independentage.org/policy-and-research/manifesto-to-reduce-pensioner-poverty

An older man and an older woman smile at the camera, both are stood outside. Text reads: Join us at Conference! Why action on pensioner poverty is essential: Looking ahead to the 2026 election. Sunday 12 October, 12.30-1.30pm. Meeting room 7, Level 1, TECA, Aberdeen. SNP Conference

Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 2d

Today, we were at the @smfthinktank.bsky.social Conservative Party Conference event discussing pensions adequacy.

@morganvine.bsky.social shared real stories from our Helpline and policy recommendations that could reduce poverty in later life.

Learn more: www.independentage.org/poverty-late...

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 2d

Our Helpline receives thousands of calls each year from older people like Cathy.

Actress Sue Holderness listened in to some of these calls to understand how financial hardship is impacting people in later life.

As Sue says, we're here to help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TwSapxhvkE

Sue Holderness listens to real Independent Age Helpline calls

As part of a series of films with Sue Holderness, the actress spent time listening to real Independent Age Helpline calls.Our advisers speak to thousands of ...

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Independent Age

Citizens Advice Scotland @citizensadvicescot.bsky.social · 2d

This morning our Head of Social Justice joined with colleagues from @povertyalliance.org and @independentage.bsky.social to discuss the impact a minimum income guarantee could make and the steps needed to deliver this as part of Challenge Poverty week. #ChallengePoverty #WeDemandBetter

The Minimum Income Guarantee can provide the sure foundation that we all need by ensuring a level of income that will allow all of us to live a dignified life. A roadmap has been created on the steps we need to take get there, now we need our politicians to commit to delivering these.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 3d

The Independent Age team is in Manchester this weekend for the Conservative Party Conference!

Follow along as we champion older voices and share our recommendations on improving later life at #CPC25.

Take a look at our research here:
https://www.independentage.org/poverty-later-life

An older woman and an older man have neutral expressions as they look at the camera. Text reads: Conference takeover.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 4d

Action to improve energy efficiency in the private rented sector could transform the lives of older people who are too often living in the coldest, least energy efficient homes.

Find our recommendations in our Turning the dial report:
https://www.independentage.org/turning-the-dial

Icons show 10 houses with one coloured in dark blue. Text reads: More than 1 in 10 households that include one or more people age 60+ are in fuel poverty.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 5d

Our Helpline team supports thousands of older people facing financial hardship each year.

Actress Sue Holderness spoke to Rachel and Emily, two of our brilliant advisers, about how these services are making a difference.

Watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGPQzNvPquw

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

We've been working with actress Sue Holderness to show how our Helpline supports older people.

Through thousands of calls each year, we offer free, expert advice to those in need, including friends, family and carers.

Watch the series of films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_mqM2Ntbcg

Actress Sue Holderness grins at the camera. A quote from her reads: Too many older people across the UK are living in poverty - every day is a struggle as they simply do not have enough money to cover the essentials. That's why Independent Age is such an important charity. They are on the frontline supporting those in later life living in financial hardship.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

One in seven pensioners in Scotland are living in poverty.

With next year's Holyrood election, all political parties must commit to reducing poverty in later life.

Read our recommendations: www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Number of pensioners in poverty could soar by 20,000 by 2031, charity warns

Independent Age warned the number of older people in poverty could reach 180,000 by 2031 if targeted action is not taken.

news.stv.tv

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

Sue Holderness: “Independent Age is changing lives for the better, and you will be met with unwavering support, compassion and understanding.”

We've worked with acting legend Sue Holderness to show how we support older people facing financial hardship.
pa.media/blogs/pa-upl...

Only Fools And Horses star praises charity helpline supporting older people

PA Media

pa.media

Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

“I don’t have enough, not enough to live on.”

Older renters are at a higher risk of poverty and make up a disproportionate number of the pensioners in poverty.

A safe, secure home is a human right. Political parties must tackle the housing emergency.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Text graphic from Independent Age highlighting: After paying their rent, more than a quarter of older private renters have less than £200 left for the month. Includes an illustration of two stacks of coins.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

Older households are the most likely of any group to be in fuel poverty.

Every pensioner should be able to stay warm in winter: it's time for action.

The next Scottish Government must improve energy efficiency and implement a warm homes programme.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

A graphic from Independent Age highlights fuel poverty among older people in Scotland. Text reads: "More than a third of older people in Scotland, or 317,000 households, are in fuel poverty". Below the text are three blue house icons with wavy lines above them, symbolizing heating.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

Older people in Scotland should be able to live a decent life, free from poverty.

But too many, particularly older disabled people and unpaid carers, are facing financial pressures.

Political parties must ensure our social security system works for all.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

Nobody in later life should feel ignored by decision makers.

We need an independent Older People's Commissioner to advocate for older people and help improve systems for all.

Our research shows that the Scottish public support a #VoiceForLaterLife.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Post from Independent Age. Two statistics under Scottish flags read: 1 in 2 older people in Scotland don’t feel represented by MSPs. 3 in 5 older people in Scotland don’t feel represented by the Scottish Government.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

Scotland needs a strategy to tackle pensioner poverty, and all political parties must commit to implementing one

The Scottish public overwhelmingly supports a strategy to turn the tide on rising poverty levels in later life. We need a comprehensive plan.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Infographic titled "Independent Age" depicts the rise in pensioners in poverty in Scotland from 160,000 in 2024 to 180,000 by 2031, the end of the next Scottish Parliament. Features a blue icon of a person and a bold arrow linking the figures.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 6d

Almost 160,000 pensioners live in poverty in Scotland - more than at any time in nearly 20 years.

It's time to change our systems to deliver security, not struggle, for older people in Scotland.

Ahead of 2026's Holyrood election, we're calling for action.
www.independentage.org/policy-and-r...

Post from Independent Age discussing their manifesto to reduce pensioner poverty in Scotland. Text reads: Security not struggle: A manifesto to reduce pensioner poverty
1. Implement a national Pensioner Poverty Strategy
2. Appoint a Commissioner for Older People
3. Deliver a decent and dignified social security system
4. Reduce energy bills
5. Guarantee the right to a secure and affordable home

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 7d

Chief Executive @joanna-elson.bsky.social: "With the right bold, systemic and collaborative reforms, we can ensure that later life is defined not by scarcity, but by security, dignity and the ability to participate in the life others have."

Read the full @fair4allfinance.bsky.social blog 👇

Taking forward collaboration to tackle financial exclusion - Fair4All Finance

Joanna is Chief Executive of Independent Age. She is also a director of UK Finance representing vulnerable consumers, Chair of the Advisory Panel at Birmingham University’s Centre on Household Assets ...

fair4allfinance.org.uk

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 7d

With at least 25,000 older people currently waiting on social housing lists, it’s vital that the Scottish Government delivers the accessible and affordable social housing pensioners need.

Shelter Scotland @shelterscotland.bsky.social · 7d

📣 Less promises and more bricks! 🧱 #BuildScotland

Will you stand with the Gran Squad and tell Scotland's politicians to deliver the 15,693 new social homes needed each year of the next parliament to end the #HousingEmergency?

Tell them now 👉 shelterscotland.org/GetBuilding

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 7d

We welcome news that the Housing (Scotland) Bill is passing the final stages.

The Bill's strengthened duties to prevent homelessness could make a real difference while the rent control framework could provide vital relief for older renters.
www.independentage.org/news-media/p...

Illustration of stacks of coins. An anonymous quote reads: It is really scary how starting rents have increased in this last six months.

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Independent Age @independentage.bsky.social · 7d

For International Day of Older Persons, acting legend Sue Holderness explores pensioner poverty in three new films.

Thabani came to Independent Age with no idea that she was missing out on hundreds of pounds of support.

See the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djWSOhe0pMU
#IDOP

When Sue Holderness met Thabani | Independent Age

As part of a series of films with Sue Holderness, the actress spoke to Thabani about how Independent Age helped her breathe again.Thabani came to Independent...

www.youtube.com

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