A retirement housing provider has saved £8 million in five years for older people – many from Solihull.
Hanover, a not-for-profit housing association, has helped its residents claim back £8.2 million through its financial rights and energy advice service.
The organisation celebrated its fifth year of operation this week.
Hanover – which manages St Alphege Court and Maplebeck Court in Solihull – launched its Be Wise services in 2012.
It has provided practical assistance to over 2,500 older people living in the organisation’s retirement and extra care estates across England.
The specialist team provides free and confidential advice on how best to save money on energy bills.
It also provides information on tailor-made contents insurance and household adaptations for Hanover residents.
In the 2016/17 financial year alone, it delivered some £1.7 million to 630 residents, exceeding the targets of the organisation’s ‘Be Wise Challenge’.
Dame Clare Tickell, chief executive of Hanover, said: “To be able to help residents to the tune of an incredible £8.2 million in entitlements that they would not otherwise have got in just five years is a fantastic achievement.
“Especially coming at a time when many older people are facing greater hardship and poverty because of prices rising well above inflation.
“We have worked hard to explain that there is financial and in-kind support available to them as entitlements and the Be Wise team is helping make sure they are receiving the right type of advice about what is available to them.
“That is why we launched our Be Wise service – it’s a wonderful example of what housing associations can do to be more than just providers of bricks and mortar.”
According to the charity Independent Age, nearly one million people aged over 75 live in poverty and need more help.
Hanover say the benefits system in the UK is complicated and many over 55s do not think that they are entitled to extra help or do not want the stigma of applying.
