Presentation by: Rhys Burton CwmNi Regeneration Manager Part of Rhondda Housing Association

Community Context: The project area ranks within the top 12.5% deprivation in Wales. Household Income levels are £2,500 lower than the county borough average Poor public transport and road access impact on employment and access to vital services (health / recreation / education). Outward migration of younger people (for work) and inward migration of retired people (cheaper homes).

Joseph Rowntree Foundation in November 05 produced: ‘Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Wales 2005’ The section on ‘Pensioners: poverty and access to services’ said: “ Besides money, pensioners face particular problems to do with access and isolation. A third of all pensioners in Wales live alone….As there are no statutory services that focus on social exclusion among older people, local authorities have a choice about how much resource and attention they devote to it. In part, because of the need to devote ever- increasing resources to the personal care needs of the growing numbers of frail, older people, the home care service now rarely includes either cleaning or shopping.

As a result, the proportion of older people in receipt of home care from their local authority has almost halved over the past decade…Older people are major users of the health service, and its availability and quality are particularly important to them…Pensioners are more dependent on public transport than any other group, with two thirds of single pensioners not owning a car. Yet only a bare majority of households without a car judge buses to be adequate for reaching the local town centre or shops. For some basic transport needs, especially getting to the local hospital and travel needs on Sundays, this proportion falls to a third or lower ”.

Project Context: In March 2005 we began the ‘Bolder’ project with £88,000 for an 18 month project from the Department of Work and Pensions ‘Partnership Fund’. The Benefits for Older (Bolder) project was set up with three part time workers to help older (60+) residents access: Pension Credit; Carers Allowance; Attendance Allowance; Housing Benefit; Council Tax Benefit; Community Care Grants and Disability Living Allowance. There is a common misunderstanding that all benefits are ‘means tested’ and people fail to make claims because they wrongly think they are not entitled because of savings in the bank.

Project Structure 1.The project has three part time workers and these comprise: One ‘Advice Outreach Manager’ (32 hours p.w.) One ‘Advice Outreach Worker’ (28 hours p.w.) One Project Administrator (24 hours p.w.) 2.The project provides direct support to clients by assessing their eligibility for benefits and through the completion of application forms with them at their home or at a community venue.

Staff Aptitudes and Skills: 1.An understanding and knowledge of the benefit system 2.Ongoing training to ‘be on top of your game’ 3.Understanding of old people’s needs and of people’s personal circumstances. 4.Tact and diplomacy, but also the need to complete the job and be task focussed 5.Being aware of personal ‘burn out’ and the need to remain ‘fresh’ when meeting clients (i.e. making sure that you are in good spirits so that others get the best service).

Project Impact Most clients received £40 - £60 extra each week. The individual’s extra annual income is between £2,080 - £3,120 The area’s increased income is between £500,000 - £600,000 over a 12 months receipt of claims entitlement. Increased purchasing power for: carers; personal aids and home adaptations; taxis; gardeners; shoppers; cleaners; decorators; resolving debt.

Value for Money? Ongoing funds of around £66,000 have been secured from the Welsh Assembly Government to maintain the project, but with an ‘income’ of between £500,000 - £600,000 generated we believe this is value for money. Future Challenges? A number of beneficiaries have ‘money difficulties’ and perhaps the project needs to look at more support on money management once the awards have been confirmed.