AGE UK TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Age UK Tunbridge Wells has been working independently in the borough of Tunbridge Wells since 1948 and currently provides a range of services and support for older local people, including Day Cay, Dementia daycare, Dementia cafes, Advocacy, Information and Advice, Home Bathing, Independent Living Support Services, Individual Service Management, Chiropody, Computer and IT, Excercise.
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A longer life brings with it opportunities; however, it can sometimes become challenging. At Age UK Tunbridge Wells, established for over 35 years, we exist to champion, support and encourage those living their 'later lives' and protect future generations' long-term interests. We believe all older people (55 plus) should have choice and independence around how they live their lives, with support as and when it is needed. We also believe that enabling older people to have this choice and independence supports their sense of well-being, their mental health and ultimately their physical health.
Unfortunately, in 2021 our main historical funder, Kent County Council, withdrew the annual grants and in effect, we lost £230,000 per year that had up to that point allowed us to offer very subsidised and/or free services to older people. We now have a revenue shortfall that we need to meet if we wish to continue to deliver our “free” Information and Advice service.
We see our work as ensuring all older people have sufficient resources to enable them to live reasonably comfortably, we know this is also cost-effective as it helps keep older people well and away from emergency interventions like unplanned care or emergency hospital admissions. We know that growing older doesn't come with a manual. That's why we provide free Information and Advice to help on topics as diverse as claiming benefits to care homes. Our own experience over many years has shown that a home visit with an hour or so to talk through options, applications or other situations is by far the most practical way of helping people. Older people will have most of what they need in their own homes, ie. copies of bills, bank details, lists of medication, GP details etc. Equally, it also enables a well trained member of staff to make a very thorough assessment of a person's home situation and discuss that with the person, making any suggestions or helpful observations. None of this is possible over the phone or via a visit to an office.