news article
If you wish to see other news items use the pagination at the foot of the page to navigate.
| Outreach Project Success |
|
The Pension Benefit Outreach Project was an innovative project aimed at tackling the poor take up of pensions and other benefits by older people in the Black Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities. The project was created through a partnership by Bield, Trust and Hanover (Scotland) Housing Associations’ as part of their existing joint Equal Opportunities Programme. Funding for the project came through the Pension Partnership Fund which was part of the Governments Link-Age Strategy. The project commences in 2005 for a period of 18 months and was undertaken by a sole Pension Benefit Outreach Worker. The main aim was to was to help individual BME older people to understand what benefits and allowances they are entitled to and to help them receive these. During the 18 months of the project approximately £400,000 was raised in benefits for BME older people. Over 400 assessments were undertaken. More than 50% of the assessments resulted in people receiving additional benefits. The project has also produced less quantifiable benefits such as identifying the problems encountered by BME older people, such as attitudes, language and misconceptions about cultural issues. It has also enhanced the self esteem and financial independence of many BME older people. A full report of the project ‘Just for the Record – Findings from the Pension Benefit Outreach Project 2007’ was published in May 2007. Copies are available from Rohini Sharma Joshi, Housing Equal Opportunities Manager Tel: 0131 444 1200 . It is also available on the web site www.EqualityScotland.com |
| Fri, Jun 29, 2007 - 9:24 AM |
| << back to news list |
