Volunteers Needed to Support Older People in Hampshire

Information Service
As we approach 2026, Age Concern Hampshire is inviting compassionate individuals to volunteer and support older people across the county. With Hampshire’s ageing population continuing to grow, the charity is seeking additional volunteers to help maintain and expand its vital services.
 
Age Concern Hampshire is an independent charity dedicated to improving the well-being of older people through its Care and Wellbeing Centres, Foot Care clinics, Hospital to Home support, and community initiatives. Volunteers are essential to ensuring older residents feel valued, supported, and connected.
 
Volunteering with Age Concern Hampshire provides an opportunity to build meaningful connections, gain new skills, and contribute to the local community. Whether you can spare an hour a week or more, every contribution helps maintain independence, provide companionship, and enhance quality of life for older people and their carers.
 
Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Trustees – contribute to the strategic direction and governance of the charity.

  • Foot Care Receptionists – welcome clients and support smooth clinic operations.

  • Administrative Support – assist with office tasks to ensure services run efficiently.

  • Support at Care and Wellbeing Centres – help with activities, social interaction, and day care services.

  • Social Group Volunteers – Help older people stay connected while enjoying a friendly, rewarding role that brings fun, conversation, and community to your week.

  • Hospital Ward Support – Make a real difference to patients’ recovery while gaining valuable experience and becoming a supportive, friendly face on local rehab wards at Petersfield, Gosport and Alton.

  • Form-Fillers – provide practical support to help older people complete forms, access benefits, and navigate essential services.

Kate Harrison, Volunteer Coordinator at Age Concern Hampshire, said: “Our volunteers provide essential support that allows older people to stay independent and connected. Every hour our volunteers give makes a difference in someone’s day.”
 
Information Service

Age Concern Hampshire also welcomes partnerships with businesses through employee volunteer programs and joint campaigns to extend the charity’s reach and impact.
 
To make a difference in 2026 and become part of this work, contact Age Concern Hampshire at 01962 868545 or visit: https://www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk/volunteer-hampshire/give-time-by-volunteering/
 
Editor’s Notes: 

Founded in 1985, Age Concern Hampshire provide services to the older community of Hampshire. The charity currently deliver support at their Care & Wellbeing centres throughout the county, as well as Foot Care clinics, Help at Home, Information via their Information Hub, Hospital to Home Services, Community Information Volunteer Services and a variety of other activities. Its mission is to help people ‘Age well and Live well’. 

Age Concern Hampshire 
Centre Way 
Locks Heath 
Southampton 
SO31 6DX 

Tel: 01962 868545 

For media enquiries, please email Sarah Jacobs, Marketing Manager at Age Concern Hampshire: marketing@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk 

Unlocking Essential Support for Hampshire’s Older Population  

Age Concern Hampshire Information Service

Many older people miss out on financial benefits and practical support due to confusing application processes. Age Concern Hampshire addresses this through its Information Service, which provides personalised form-filling assistance and checks for financial entitlements, as well as support with schemes such as Blue Badges, for older people across Hampshire. 

Supported by a team of dedicated and highly trained volunteers, the service helps with completing forms for Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Pension Credit, and Blue Badges either over the phone or in the comfort of a person’s home. 

National statistics highlight the scale of the issue: in 2023, approximately 1.8 million people in Great Britain received Attendance Allowance, yet 140,000 eligible individuals did not claim it. Similarly, as of March 2024, 2.93 million people in England were entitled to a Blue Badge without further assessment, but only 2.84 million valid badges were held, indicating that many eligible individuals are not applying for this essential support. Services like Age Concern Hampshire’s Information Service help bridge these gaps by guiding older residents through the complex application process.

Age Concern Hampshire Information Service

“Filling in forms can be overwhelming and many older people do not claim what they are entitled to,” said Yvonne Hiscock, Information Services Senior Co-ordinator at Age Concern Hampshire. “Our Volunteers provide tailored assistance, ensuring individuals receive the guidance most relevant to their needs.” 

Beyond form-filling support, Age Concern Hampshire’s Information Service provides support and signposting on important topics such as home services, digital inclusion, foot care, and specialist support. 

With the cost of living rising, this service has become more essential than ever. For older people and their families it is a lifeline, helping them access benefits and services that improve independence, wellbeing, and quality of life. 

How to Access Support 
Phone: 01962 868545 
Email: enquiries@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk 
Website: https://www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk/our-services-hampshire/information-service/ 

Editor’s Notes: 

Founded in 1985, Age Concern Hampshire provide services to the older community of Hampshire. The charity currently deliver support at their Care & Wellbeing centres throughout the county, as well as Foot Care clinics, Help at Home, Information via their Information Hub, Hospital to Home Services, Community Information Volunteer Services and a variety of other activities. Its mission is to help people ‘Age well and Live well’. 

Age Concern Hampshire 
Centre Way 
Locks Heath 
Southampton 
SO31 6DX 

Tel: 01962 868545 

For media enquiries, please email Sarah Jacobs, Marketing Manager at Age Concern Hampshire: marketing@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk 

SSAFA Hampshire Supports Age Concern Hampshire to Assist Older People Across the Region

Fundraising Support

Age Concern Hampshire is excited to announce a partnership with Hampshire Branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, which will enhance the charity’s ability to provide essential services to older people across Hampshire. SSAFA is The Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need.

This support, along with the support from other partnerships, will directly fund a variety of essential services and activities, enabling Age Concern Hampshire to expand its reach and assist more older people in need. By offering vital resources, care, and companionship, the charity will help individuals maintain their independence and enhance their wellbeing.

Support from local charity partners is invaluable, with their combined contributions making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals within the community. Each donation plays a critical role in strengthening communities and ensuring that no one is left isolated or without the support they need. Together, these partnerships help create a more inclusive and caring environment for older people across Hampshire.

Fundraising Support

“SSAFA Hampshire’s support comes at a critical time as we face an ever-growing demand for services for older people in Hampshire,” said Grant Read, CEO of Age Concern Hampshire. “With this support, we can ensure that our services reach even more individuals who are at risk of isolation and vulnerability. We are grateful for SSAFA Hampshire’s partnership, which will make a real difference to the lives of many older residents across the county.”

Age Concern Hampshire invites other charity and corporate organisations to contribute and support the charity’s vital work. Through partnership, businesses can contribute to providing essential services, resources, and companionship to older people in need. For more information, please visit https://www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk/volunteer-hampshire/become-a-corporate-supporter/ or call 01962 868545.

Note to Editors:

Age Concern Hampshire
Founded in 1985, Age Concern Hampshire provide services to the older community of Hampshire. The charity currently deliver support at their Care & Wellbeing centres throughout the county, as well as Help at Home, Information via their Information Hub, Foot care clinics, Hospital to Home Services, Community Information Volunteer Services and a variety of other activities. 

For more information, visit: www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk

SSAFA

Founded in 1885, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families in their time of need. Nationally, in 2022 our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 59,000 people, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families. Since 1885 we have provided welfare and wellbeing assistance that is tailored to our Armed Forces community. We know about the unique demands of service life, whether in the UK or overseas, and we continue to meet the demand for support to enable the entire Armed Forces family to thrive. SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person and their family, any time they need us and in any way they need us.

More information can be found at Hampshire | SSAFA

SSAFA Logo

Age Concern Hampshire Receives Funding from Abri Homes to Support Older Residents in Gosport and Alton 

Information Hub

Age Concern Hampshire is thrilled to announce new funding from Abri, which will enable the enhancement of the charity’s Information Services providing financial advice to older people in Gosport and Alton. This grant will allow Age Concern Hampshire to extend its reach, providing both virtual and in-person support to vulnerable older residents who are facing financial hardships. 

With the ongoing rise in the cost of living, many older residents are experiencing heightened financial pressure, often struggling to cover essential costs such as heating, food, and medical expenses. Age Concern Hampshire recognises the significant impact this has on overall wellbeing and is committed to providing support to individuals in need. 

Trained ACH Volunteers provide financial guidance and personalised assistance with benefit checks to ensure residents are receiving their entitled support, they assist with online applications such as Attendance Allowance and the Blue Badge scheme. Additionally, they can offer help with form filling and provide information on various topics to support older individuals, facilitating easier access to essential resources. 

“This funding allows us to enhance our essential support for older Abri residents in Alton and Gosport,” said Brogan Rehill, Head of Fundraising and Volunteer Services at Age Concern Hampshire. “We’re committed to providing vital assistance to those facing financial challenges, helping them to manage the cost of living and improve their quality of life.” 

Cita, Communtities and Involvement manager at Abri said: “We’re proud to partner with Age Concern Hampshire and use the Abri community fund to help support older customers in Gosport and Alton. With the cost of living rising, we know that some of our customers need extra help, and this partnership allows us to provide the financial advice and support that makes a real difference locally.”

Information Hub

The success of this service relies on a team of trained dedicated volunteers who play an invaluable role in supporting older residents in need. To help expand this important initiative, Age Concern Hampshire is actively recruiting new volunteers. This presents a rewarding opportunity for individuals to make a positive impact in their community, develop new skills, and connect with people who may be isolated or in financial difficulty. 

Volunteers will receive comprehensive training, ongoing support, and the opportunity to be part of a compassionate team making a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable older people. For more information, please email supporters@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk. 

Founded in 1985, Age Concern Hampshire provides services to the older community of Hampshire. The charity currently delivers support at its Care & Wellbeing centres throughout the county, as well as Help at Home, Information via its Information Hub, foot care clinics, Hospital to Home services, Community Information Volunteer Services and a variety of other activities.  Age Concern Hampshire 
Centre Way 
Locks Heath 
Southampton 
SO31 6DX  

Tel: 01962 868545 

For media enquiries, please email Sarah Jacobs, Marketing Manager at Age Concern Hampshire: marketing@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk 

 

 

The Impact of the ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ on elderly people.

The rising ‘cost of living crisis’ is having a detrimental impact on everyone from affording to cover rising bills to astronomical prices of essentials such as food. Among the groups hardest hit by the crisis are older people / pensioners, who are often on a fixed income and tend to spend more on home energy bills than other households.

It’s true to say that many over-65s are reliant on their pensions that do not rise in line with inflation and price increases. In April the state pension went up by 3.1%. The average energy bill of just under £2,000 is 20% of the £9,627 a year paid through the new state pension. As such, a large proportion of older people are being hit particularly badly with the effects of the cost of living crisis.

The Pension Policy Institute reports that the cost of living is increasing more quickly for pensioners than their income, with rises in housing and energy significantly impacting this group.

The data from the Pension Policy Institute, reveals that pensioners spend a growing portion of their income on essentials such as housing, bills and food as they become older and have less to cover transport or leisure activities, leaving many isolated and lonely.

"It is asking the impossible to expect people on low, fixed incomes, including the UK’s more than 11 million pensioners, to shoulder such [price] increases. A high proportion of the UK’s 66 and over population are dependent on the state pension alone.”
Becky O’Connor
The Head of Pensions and Savings at the website interactive investor

The impact of the crisis is already evident as older people are become more and more reliant on local emergency provisions and services such as food banks seen here in the Sky News report:

We are here to support you...

Ensuring you are receiving everything you are entitled to is very important, many people aren’t aware of the money they should be receiving. Our Team will be able to discuss with you the different options available and guide you through any necessary application processes. We can provide support in whatever form suits you best: we can chat to you over the phone, send you information in the post or meet you in person.

These checks explore whether there are any benefits you could be claiming currently. Our Information Team can take you through this process and talk through the outcome. Dealing with benefits and claims can be confusing, we will ensure you know the next steps if there are unclaimed benefits you could be accessing.

If you’re over State Pension age (currently 66 years old for men and women) and you need help with your personal care because of a physical or mental illness or disability, you may be able to claim Attendance Allowance. There is an application process which must be worked through for this. Our Information Team volunteers will be able to go through the whole application with you, aiming to show your situation as clearly as possible.

Email

info@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 09:00 am to 16:00 pm.

Call our Freephone line on...

0800 328 7154

Please contact the Hampshire County Council Coronavirus Support on the Helpline number (0333 370 4000) if your query is urgent outside of our opening hours.