Safe Homes for Older People

Independent Age

Empowering households across the south of England to maintain a safe and warm home 

Our project at a glance

• Priority vulnerability group: Older people
• Strategic priority area: Supporting priority vulnerability groups to access tailored support services
• Support target: 523,427 households over 17 months 
• Duration: November 2024 to March 2026
• Investment: £164,245 over 17 months
• Forecast SROI: £28.74

Why we’re working together

In the UK, around 1.9 million older people are living in poverty, often struggling to afford basics such as food and energy bills.

At the same time, many older people aren’t aware of the support available to help them with essential household costs, such as Pension Credit. Billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed by older people each year.

We’ve partnered with the national charity Independent Age to keep older people safe and warm at home. Independent Age helps older people facing financial hardship, ensuring they can afford essentials – like energy – without compromising their safety and wellbeing. 

Through our awareness-raising campaign and one-to-one support, we’re helping vulnerable, low-income older households across the south of England to maintain a safe and warm home. We’re addressing both immediate safety concerns, as well as long-term energy efficiency and financial resilience. 

Project objectives

• Raising awareness of energy safeguards and income maximisation measures for older people
• Raising awareness of the Priority Services Register and supporting households to sign up
• Raising awareness of carbon monoxide and providing free CO alarms for households most in need
• Training Independent Age’s grantee network on carbon monoxide safety 

How we’re working together

Awareness raising campaign

Through our 17-month campaign, we aim to engage at least 523,427 of the most vulnerable older households across our Southern network area. We’re providing information about services and support available to address fuel poverty, safe ways to use less energy and where to go for help if you’re struggling to afford household essentials.

We’re also sharing key safety information about how to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home, as well as educating older people on the benefits of joining the Priority Services Register.

One-to-one energy safeguarding and financial resilience support

Independent Age’s Helpline and Advice Service is a primary gateway for older people seeking support. Through this service, we’re providing direct one-to-one support to those most vulnerable to the impacts of fuel poverty, especially older people on low fixed incomes who are disproportionately affected by rising energy prices.

For more complex cases, callers are referred to an expert adviser, who can offer tailored support, including welfare benefits checks, help with completing forms and advocacy for appealing denied claims.

Upskilling the Independent Age grantee network

We’re training employees and volunteers of Independent Age’s grantee network to become ambassadors for carbon monoxide safety, by providing them with the skills and resources to identify and support older people at risk of carbon monoxide harm – with an increased focus on winter safety messaging.

How to get involved

Accessing support from Independent Age

As one of our VCMA network partners, you can refer older households in the south of England who are facing financial hardship for support from Independent Age through the charity’s website.

If you’re an older household and need help to stay safe and warm at home, you can find advice on the Independent Age website. You can download the charity’s free advice guides from the website and order printed copies, or you can speak to the Independent Age helpline team by calling 0800 319 6789. 

Becoming an Independent Age partner

You can find out more about partnering with Independent Age on the charity's website.