Residents are over £6 million better off thanks to a financial inclusion service provided by Anchor.

Over 3,500 residents have been supported by the ‘Be Wise’ scheme that offers advice on matters such as benefits, energy bills, budgeting, income and expenditure, basic debt management advice and easing cost-of-living pressures. 

Gordon, an Anchor resident from Nottingham, said: “I was receiving a state retirement pension of £184 per week and a small private pension of £18 per week. I contacted Be Wise and they awarded me £100 towards my energy costs and £60 towards food from the Resident Support Fund. My housing benefit and council tax support had stopped, and I was fearful I would lose my home. Be Wise stepped in and helped me.

“They completed a full benefit check and made an application on my behalf for Attendance Allowance which was awarded at the lower rate of £68.10 per week and in addition this meant I received Pension Credit of £27 per week which also led to the cost-of-living payment of £300 and the Warm Home Discount payment of £150.

“My housing benefit and council tax support were reinstated back to when they stopped at full eligibility. I now feel financially comfortable compared to when I started my journey.

“I am so grateful to Be Wise for changing my life and helping me when I was in need. I could not have done it without them.” 

Sam Scotcher, financial inclusion manager for Anchor, said: “Anchor’s Be Wise service is free to all residents and its purpose is to assist those who are experiencing periods of hardship and to provide support where needed and to maximise their income.

“We are a very diverse team, with colleagues from different ethnicities, faiths, age groups, gender and sexuality and those who speak different languages which enables us to reach a wide range of people and tailor our services to meet individual people’s needs.

“Being a diverse team has hugely contributed to the success of the Be Wise team and helping residents save nearly £6 million since April 2024 enabling more people to enjoy later life.”

Anchor’s Be Wise service is part of its range of Be Well services, which help residents in a wide variety of ways, including supporting financial and digital inclusion, physical activity and tackling loneliness.