My Choice success
Published on 21 June 2018 02:24 PM
Last year, Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin brought in just under £850,000 of additional benefits for older people living in the area via the My Choice service.
My Choice is an information, advice and advocacy service that can be accessed by anyone living in Telford & Wrekin for advice about welfare benefits, community care, budgeting and paying for care and signposted to services to help people remain independent.
My Choice is a partnership between Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, Citizens Advice, Taking Part, Alzheimer’s Society and Shropshire Independent Advocacy Scheme (SIAS). It offers a wide range of expertise and specialist knowledge to help people access the right support and help for their individual needs.
Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, said: ‘Over the last 5 years the numbers of older people we have supported in Telford & Wrekin to access the benefits they are entitled to has increased by 60% and the amount of income that we have put into their pockets has increased by 80%. On average we have brought in just over £3,000 for each older person we have supported. For an older person of a fixed pension that income makes a massive difference to their lives, health and wellbeing’.
Heather added: ‘We are very proud of our small team of staff and volunteers for their achievement in improving the lives of older people in Telford & Wrekin’.
For further information contact My Choice on 01952 459 252 or email mychoice@telfordcab.co.uk