An independent evaluation of East End Community Foundation’s (EECF) Tackling Pensioner Poverty initiative has been hailed a success after it highlighted the significant impact the programme has had on tackling acute levels of later-life poverty across East London.
The evaluation, funded by the Rothesay Foundation and carried out by Campbell Tickell, examined the success of the pilot programme delivered across Tower Hamlets and Newham since 2022, which has supported older residents to access unclaimed benefits and improve their household income during the cost-of-living crisis.
The evaluation found that the programme has already generated more than £2.5 million in additional financial support for older people, including Pension Credit and associated ‘gateway’ benefits such as Winter Fuel Allowance, Council Tax reduction and free TV licences.
According to EECF, pensioner poverty remains a significant but often hidden issue across East London. It’s estimated that around 20,000 older people in the East End may be eligible for Pension Credit but are not currently claiming it and according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a full state pension currently remains below the Minimum Income Standard, meaning many older residents rely on additional support to achieve an acceptable standard of living.
Tracey Betts, CEO of EECF said: “As a Community Foundation deeply rooted in East End communities, we could see first-hand how many older residents were struggling to make ends meet, simply because people were missing out on the support they were entitled to or found the system too hard to navigate. The Tackling Pensioner Poverty initiative was created to help address that, and we’re incredibly proud that this independent evaluation has recognised both the financial impact of the programme and the dignity, confidence and peace of mind it has helped restore for so many people”.
To date, more than 800 pensioners have been reached through the initiative, and over £2.5 million in financial gains have been secured. The majority of these gains come from ongoing statutory benefits, with around £2.2 million representing recurring annual income for beneficiaries.
The evaluation report praised the programme’s community-based delivery model and the role of trusted grassroots organisations in engaging older people who may otherwise be reluctant to seek financial support.
The report states that EECF’s programme is “…a highly effective, locally embedded intervention that is generating substantial financial and social benefits for older people across the East End… The programme’s effectiveness is closely linked to its delivery model, which combines trusted community-based organisations, culturally appropriate engagement and intensive one-to-one support.”
The programme was launched by EECF in Tower Hamlets in 2022 and later extended into parts of Newham with support from the Rothesay Foundation’s £150,000 three-year funding commitment. Since then, 16 voluntary and community organisations have received training to help older residents understand and access benefits to which they are entitled.
The programme combines benefits advice with wider community outreach, using trusted local organisations embedded within neighbourhoods and culturally specific communities to identify and support residents.
Sister Christine Frost, Patron and Lead at Neighbours in Poplar, a community group serving elderly residents in Tower Hamlets, said: “I have seen for myself the impact of this project on the lives of many older people, and I am in admiration of the care, empathy and time staff give to the many who need help navigating through the maze of bureaucracy involved, particularly for elders ignorant of social media.”
A beneficiary said: “I didn’t know I was entitled to Pension Credit. I have been struggling with my bills for years and I just thought that was how it was. When the caseworker helped me apply and I found out I would receive over four hundred pounds every month, I cried. It has changed everything. I can pay my rent, I can eat properly, I am not worrying every night. I feel like I can breathe again. I am so grateful that someone sat with me and helped me understand what I was owed”.
The independent evaluation went on to highlight the wider social value of the initiative, including increased engagement in community activities and improved confidence among older residents accessing support services.
While the initiative currently operates across Tower Hamlets and Newham as a pilot model, the Foundation hopes to extend to Hackney and the City as well as develop strategic partnerships to extend its reach. It is hoped that the learning and evidence generated through the programme could support wider adoption by other urban community foundations in areas where pensioner poverty is particularly acute.
Ms Betts said: “The success of this programme demonstrates how local philanthropy and voluntary sector services can come together to deliver meaningful change for older residents. We hope the learning from this initiative can help inspire similar approaches elsewhere, so that older people living in poverty receive the support they are entitled to”.
James Dickson, Chairman of the Rothesay Foundation said: “Too many older people are living in need across the UK despite being eligible for greater financial support, including in East London, which has some of the highest levels of pensioner poverty in the country. We are pleased that the independent evaluation highlights the value of this programme’s community-based model, which works through trusted grassroots organisations to engage older people and support them through the benefits application process. The Rothesay Foundation is proud to support this programme as part of our mission to improve the quality of life for older people, helping to ensure fewer pensioners miss out on the essential financial support they are entitled to.”
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