QUESTION & ANSWER INFORMATION SHEET

Many local people will have seen the extensive advertising TV and media campaign undertaken by Age UK since April 2010. Having received telephone and other enquiries about this and the issues it raises for local people we have developed the following simple explanation of who Age UK is and who are Age Concern Brighton Hove & Portslade.

What is Age UK?
Age UK is a new national charity that has been formed through the merging of Age Concern England and Help the Aged.

What does Age UK do?
Age UK aims to improve later life for everyone through their national information and advice helpline, campaigns, products, training and research.
It does not deliver services directly to older people in Brighton & Hove.

Where does its income come from?
In 2008/2009 the 2 charities that now make up Age UK received
£55.3m from supporters in the form of donations, gifts and legacies
£48.7m   from trading to raise funds
£11.9m   from grants
£46.3m   from other activities, including investment

How are your donations to Age UK spent?
Age UK seeks to help older people in the UK. Its perspective is national and it allocates money to its work after setting national priorities. Last year Age Concern Brighton Hove & Portslade received just over £60,000 as a profit share from the Age UK local charity shops and sales of products. Money that you donate or leave as a legacy to the national charity will only benefit Brighton & Hove if that coincides with national priorities, or if you specifically state `to be spent for the benefit of people in Brighton & Hove’ in the will.

Who has funded and devised the advertising campaign?
The campaign is solely the responsibility of Age UK. Your local Age Concern has not contributed or been involved in the planning of the campaign. Age Concern Brighton Hove & Portslade has not been involved financially or otherwise and none of the money that you have given us has been spent on the campaign.

What is Age Concern Brighton Hove & Portslade?
We are a local charity, created 46 years ago to serve and support older people in Brighton & Hove. Our services are delivered solely in this City and for the benefit of older people in this society.  That is legal and moral basis of our existence as a voluntary sector organisation.
We are an independent charitable organisation whose legal boundaries are the same as those of this City. Our client group are the people of Brighton & Hove.

What does Age Concern Brighton Hove & Portslade do?
We provide all of your local services, such as Nail Cutting, Counselling service, gardeners, cleaners, lunch club meals, exercise and leisure/fitness classes, swimming club, computer training and free access to broadband, Nintendo games and competitions. Additionally we have direct support for individuals, an Information & Advice service, 2 weeks support after hospital or personal trauma, minibus outings and much more. A third (33%) of the cost of these services is met through donations, legacies and support from the people of this City.

Where does our money come from?
In 2009/2010 Age Concern Brighton Hove & Portslade spent on these activities;

How are your donations to Age Concern Brighton Hove & Portslade spent?
All of the money we receive is spent within Brighton & Hove to help the people of this City. Therefore if we receive a donation or legacy older people in this City will benefit, we guarantee this. As you can see from the figures above without that financial contribution we will not be able to provide one third of our current services.