After a highly successful launch event chaired by local MPs and attended by over 80 people from Torbay Council, Health and community groups, the FAIR (Financial Advice, Information & Resilience) project now moves to the heart of our local communities.
Funded by the Big Lottery fund via Ageing Well Torbay, the FAIR project aims to help address issues of poverty in old age.
FAIR will offer advice and information about benefits, managing your money, getting the best utility deals and help for those getting into debt.
Four FAIR events will take place in June aimed at attracting new volunteers.
Older people told Ageing Well Torbay that many people in the community needed help, but they also said that older people wanted to be part of the solution by helping others in need.
The first community launch event will take place on 6th June at The Edge, Bolton Street, Brixham. YES, VisualEyes and Brixham Does Care will be hosting the event which runs from 1-3pm. The event is free and offers the chance to find out more about FAIR including the range of training being offered to anyone wanting to become a volunteer. VisualEyes wishes to hear from visually impaired people who have seen their benefits reduced as a result of Personal Independence Payments.
From 12 noon until 2pm on 12th June, The Crafty Fox Café, on Foxhole Road, Paignton will launch their element of the FAIR project. The Crafty Fox Café has had a real impact in the Foxhole area since it was opened in 2017. Citizens Advice now run a drop-in service there two days per week. Demand has been overwhelming. 8 local people have already signed up to be advice volunteers and the FAIR project seeks to increase these numbers further. Light refreshments will be available to all who attend the FAIR event.
Unfortunately, lots of people fall victim to scams and this has increased with the popularity of the Internet. People with Learning Disabilities are particularly vulnerable to financial abuse. Mencap are part of the FAIR partnership and are having an informal launch of their work with FAIR at their ‘Tea and Cakes’ meeting which will be held on Wednesday 13th June, 10.30am-12noon at Jasmyn House, Midvale Road, Paignton. Carers aged 50+ of adults with a learning disability are very welcome. They always welcome the cared-for person too.
The Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross, Barton, Torquay is encouraging anyone interested in supporting older people with advice issues to come to their FAIR event. Local people will be able to find out about becoming an advice and information volunteer. Once new volunteers have been trained the Acorn Centre will become a first point of contact for older people needing financial advice and information. Again light bites will be available to anyone attending on 18th June between 12noon and 2pm.
For more information about FAIR, visit their page here on the Ageing Well website: https://ageingwelltorbay.com/fair/
Anyone interested in FAIR can also contact susan.bottomley@torbaycitizensadvice.org.uk or telephone 07706 714366
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