We began life in 1863 as the United Kingdom Beneficent
Association, providing financial help to older people in poverty.
At that time, we helped those from the 'upper and middle classes'
who had fallen on hard times. We received a royal charter in 1911
and added 'Royal' at the front of our name (our legal name is still
the Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association).
During the 1970s, we began to offer more befriending services,
recognising the 'poverty' of social contact experienced by many
older people. Today, we still provide financial support and
befriending, but also provide services to deal with the 'poverty of
information' that prevents many older people from claiming all the
benefits and services to which they are entitled.
In October 2011, Independent Age merged with the older people's
charity Counsel and
Care.
