Supporting older people to live safely and independently: £650 grant to Age Concern Todmorden

 Our Club has agreed a £650 grant to Age Concern Todmorden to support a focused project helping local older people, and their carers, to claim Attendance Allowance so they can remain safely and independently in their own homes.  Despite its name, Age Concern Todmorden also assists people in need from Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and the surrounding area.

An experienced, award‑winning local charity

Age Concern Todmorden is a small, independent, award‑winning local charity that has supported older people in the local area for over fifty years. Its aim is to help people enjoy happier, healthier and more financially secure later lives. The charity offers a daily drop‑in, home visits, lunch clubs and coffee mornings. They also provide information and signposting on a wide range of issues, including health, housing, transport, welfare benefits and social activities.

Why Attendance Allowance matters

Attendance Allowance is a non‑means‑tested benefit designed to help older people with significant difficulties in daily living – such as washing, dressing, cooking, mobility or frequent falls – to meet the extra costs of staying safe and independent. In practice, however, many eligible people either do not know the benefit exists or are put off by the complexity of the application process. The main form runs to more than forty pages and asks detailed and often sensitive questions about personal care, mobility, continence and risk of falls. Others may already receive the benefit but fail to report changes in their circumstances that would entitle them to a higher award.

Age Concern Todmorden has identified a clear local need for hands‑on support with Attendance Allowance, particularly among older people and those who are digitally excluded, lack confidence with official forms or are already struggling with illness or caring responsibilities. Without help, many simply miss out on income that could transform their quality of life.

What the project will do

The Rotary‑funded project will provide intensive, one‑to‑one casework to help older people and their carers navigate the Attendance Allowance system from start to finish. Typically this involves:

·         Visiting people at home, where they feel most comfortable, to discuss their needs in detail.

·         Completing the full Attendance Allowance form on their behalf, capturing the day‑to‑day reality of their difficulties in language the DWP will understand.

·         Gathering supporting evidence where needed, such as medical information or care records.

·         Liaising with the Department for Work and Pensions to clarify queries and progress claims.

·         Challenging or appealing decisions where the initial outcome does not reflect the person’s needs.

·         Notifying changes of circumstances that may lead to higher awards.

Each case can take up to five hours of staff and volunteer time, but when successful it unlocks an ongoing income stream that often far exceeds the cost of the project itself. The charity’s experience shows that awards are frequently used to pay for heating, home adaptations, taxis to appointments, cleaners, gardeners or personal care – all of which contribute directly to safety, wellbeing and independence.

Real‑life Case Studies

Case studies illustrate the difference this kind of support can make. In one example, a stressed carer, exhausted by caring responsibilities and isolated at home, received help to secure Attendance Allowance and a Blue Badge. With the extra income and easier parking, they could afford taxis, reconnect socially and reported feeling “so much better”. In another case, an 80‑year‑old man with no access to digital services and very limited support was helped to claim Attendance Allowance; he believes the award prevented possible homelessness and allowed him to maintain a modest but meaningful social life. Stories like these underline how targeted benefits advice can prevent crises and improve quality of life.

Read More about Age Concern Todmorden at: Age Concern Todmorden

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