Action on Elder Abuse Secures £2m Lottery Grant

Action on Elder Abuse, says a new £2 million National Lottery grant to expand its work will help rescue thousands more older people from the scourge of hidden abuse by carers or relatives.

The grant from the Big Lottery Fund, which distributes 40% of funds raised for good causes by the National Lottery, is the largest the charity has ever received from a single source. The award will allow the charity to expand its work across all parts of the UK, achieving a much higher profile so that abused older people, or those who are concerned about them, know where they can turn for help.

The money, spread over five years, will pay for a major increase in the staffing of AEA’s Freephone Helpline, and dramatically increase the charity’s ability to provide practical support for many more older victims of abuse.

Action on Elder Abuse has the only national Freephone Helpline dedicated to stopping the abuse of older people.

Since 2011, the number of calls to the Helpline has tripled, and is expected to reach 20,000 calls per year by 2015, all related to the various forms of elder abuse. Research suggests that more than half a million older people are abused in the UK each year, often by people they know and trust. Some 60% are over 80 years old, with more than 15% over 90. Nearly 1 in 4 victims lives with his or her abuser, and 1 in 3 relies on the abuser at least in part to provide care.

The Big Lottery Fund award will allow the charity to expand its work substantially, funding a new post of Communications and Press Officer, new Helpline staff to meet increasing demands, a new Peer Support service for victims, and new development posts for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Callers can ring from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm on 080 8808 8141 for confidential support and information.