How the 'IMP' can help 50+ in Carmarthenshire

‘IMP’ is coming to your area now!

Age Cymru Sir Gar has been funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for its IMP (Income Maximisation Project) to help people aged 50+, living in the wards of Ammanford, Betws, Brynamman, Cwmamman, Garnant, Glanamman, Myddynfych, Penygroes, Pontamman, Pantyffynnon, Saron, Tycroes and Quarter Bach, maximise their income.

Everyone in these areas aged 50+ either already on benefits or eligible for benefits or on low incomes can access the organisation’s services.

However, in order to help older people in these areas, the organisation needs volunteers.

These volunteers will go to the homes of people who are unable to access the benefits or information services any other way and help them complete various forms and give them general information on services available to them.

Information on attendance allowance, employment support allowance, pension credit and other benefits will be given and volunteers will receive training, guidance, support and travel expenses.

Volunteers will be expected to volunteer for about two hours at a time, when needed, but usually about once a week or once a fortnight depending on demand for services.

Age Cymru Sir Gar’s chief officer Ann Dymock said: “Our volunteers are wonderful, the feedback we get from our clients tells us they are, and they get a lot of satisfaction out of helping someone because the client tells them what a difference their help has meant.

"Being one of our benefit volunteers can mean you can help an older person, who may be struggling to heat the house, pay for food or just to get out and meet their friends, to live the lives they want to live.

"For instance, the charity was contacted last year by a local heating engineer who was concerned about a customer who didn’t have heating as her boiler had broken down and she didn’t have enough money to pay for a repair.

"Bethan visited the lady, had a chat about what was needed, and now the lady has new boiler and central heating system and the income to pay for her heating as she qualified not only for attendance allowance but for pension credit and council tax benefit.

"Bethan’s visit also led to the installation of a stairlift and smoke alarms.

"Age Cymru Sir Gar will also be holding benefit surgeries in the wards mentioned throughout the year.

"These will be advertised locally once a venue has been booked. People can pop along to these surgeries to see if they qualify for benefits help. The charity will also provide, at these events, general information & advice about what’s available in Carmarthenshire to help older people.

"For more information on becoming a volunteer or accessing the service, ring us on 01554 784080."

Glass Recycling

Age Cymru Sir Gar has also teamed up with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Streetscene and Menter Cwm Gwendraeth to support older people to participate in glass recycling and help people know what to put into the blue and black bags.

The partnership’s volunteers will collect glass and take it to a civic amenity site or bottle bank and show you what waste goes into which bag.

The Recycling Awareness Project is now running in its second year and has reached a milestone 100 clients who are now having glass collected by volunteers.

For more information or if you want to have your glass collected as you are finding it difficult to do it yourself, contact Paul Thomas on 01269 871600.

Carers and support agencies are also encouraged to get in touch with Ann at Age Cymru Sir Gar or Paul at Menter Cwm Gwendraeth to find out how they can better support their clients.

Ann Dymock, Age Cymru Sir Gar, 01554 784080, a.dymock@ agecymrusirgar.org.uk, agecymru. org.uk/sirgar; and Paul Thomas at Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, 01269 871600, Paul@ mentercwmgwendraeth.org.uk, mentercwmgwendraeth.org