Independent Age has produced a Statement of Intent that organisations and individuals can sign up to and show their commitment to tackling pensioner poverty.
If you’re an organisation who hasn’t already signed up and would like to show your support, please email public.affairs@independentage.org.
If you’re an individual who would like to help, you can take action here.
Learn more about our work on poverty in later life.
Our statement of intent
It is unacceptable that anyone should live in poverty.
Poverty is detrimental to our society as a whole and every day, it deprives people of their choices, forcing them to make difficult decisions that can negatively impact their health, relationships, and dignity.
People of all ages and walks of life can experience poverty; financial struggles unite them for a decent quality of life.
Older people are not immune to financial hardship.
Across the UK, two million pensioners live in poverty, cutting back on meals, living in damp, cold homes and sitting in the dark to save money.
Too often, their voices aren’t heard or acted on by those with the power to make change happen.
Too often, they are ignored or stigmatised, compounding their feelings of shame, hopelessness and isolation.
Poverty in later life is not inevitable; it can be addressed.
We can improve our society and social security system so that it works for people of all ages.
To help achieve this:
- Listen to the voices of older people in financial insecurity.
- Share stories of pensioners living in poverty.
- Support changes to reduce poverty in older age, ensuring a financially secure future for everyone.
Together, we will tackle pensioner poverty so that everyone has the opportunity to live well with dignity, choice, and purpose.
Supportive organisations include:
African Caribbean Care Group
Age Cymru
Age Diversity Network
Age NI
Age UK
Age UK Bradford District
Age UK London
Age UK South Lakeland
Age UK Wirral
Ageing Without Children
Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women's Project Ltd
Asian Elders' Resource Centre
Bedford Street Community Company Limited
Benefit Advice Shop
Big Issue Foundation
Bikur Cholim
Bolton Solidarity Community Association
British Geriatrics Society
Carers UK
Castlemilk Law and Money Advice Centre
Centre for Ageing Better
Centre for Mental Health
Chartered Institute for Housing
Chinese Wellbeing
Christian's Against Poverty
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice Mid Mercia
Citizens Advice Scotland
Civil Service fellowship
Civil Service Pensioners Alliance
Civil Service Pensioners Alliance Scotland
Cymru Older People's Alliance
Fair by Design
Fuel Poverty Action
Generation Rent
Glasgow Golden Generation
Hamara Healthy Living Centre
Hastings Advice and Representation Centre
Helping Hands Community Trust
Hourglass
ILC
Independent Age
Investing in People and Culture
JRF
Just Group
Money Advice Trust
Muslim Council of Great Britain
NASUWT FRMA
National Energy Action
National Federation of Occupational Pensioners
National Pensioners Convention
Parkinson's UK
Phoenix Insights
Pilgrims’ Friend Society
Policy in Practice
Poverty Alliance
Saltbox
Scottish Older People's Assembly (SOPA)
Scottish Pensioners Forum
SEARCH CIO (Services for Older People)
Shama Womens Centre
South Bristol Advice Services
Southwark Pensioners' Centre
St Anns Advice Centre
Stockton & District Advice & Information Service
The Renewal Trust
Trussell Trust
Turn2Us
United for All Ages
Vauxhall Community Law and Information Centre
Wai Yin Society
Wales Seniors Forum
Wesley Hall Community Centre
Wise Age
Women's Budget Group