Age UK Avis 

I went into the age uk charity shop in Boston Lincolnshire today as I love jigsaw puzzles. However, I found none of the boxes were taped up to keep them closed and I found one that was open so I tried to lift it up to close it. As I did this pieces fell out and went all over the floor. I pointed out to one of the ladies working there and she told me to put it aside and walked off! This does not give me confidence that puzzles bought from this shop will have all their pieces so I’ll steer clear. What a shame

I rang the Northamptonshire branch and left a message to call back. No-one rang. This is not the first time with Age UK. One in Great Yarmouth called my mum a liar and was extremely rude. When you ring for advice, you’re directed to places on the website. Age Concern were so much better they actually spoke to you with information.

I’ve been suffering with ill health for a year and half now! Weakness in my legs, having trouble getting upstairs to my bedroom,
Had been sleeping on the sofa a lot!

After calling up Age UK Chingford E4, they proposed a helpful solution
Sending a workman within a week of contacting lovey Emma at age concern telling her my issues, to put up stair hand rail.
I got an immediate response
Thank you so much x

I recently received help from Age UK, over the phone. They helped me complete an online application form for Attendance Allowance. The gentleman who helped me had endless patience with me, was caring regarding my needs and was extremely helpful. I cannot praise him enough. He even went back over all the questions to double-check that they were all answered correctly and that no vital information had been missed out. Thank you, Age UK.

I'm feeling really shaken up with the staff from Age UK today

On Thurs 15 Feb at around 4.45pm, I visited Age UK Lumley Rd with my elderly dog, who has a terminal heart condition and travels in a buggy, and my registered support dog, clearly marked on her harness. As I was about to leave the shop, a female staff member approached aggressively, snatching a jumper out of the buggy that I had removed before entering the store because of a hot flush. I was embarrassed as the jumper was old, well-worn, and carried my odour.
The woman loudly shouted 'is that one of our dresses you have' she realised her mistake, tossed the jumper back into the buggy, muttering about missing dresses from rails. I was mortified and taken aback at how she grabbed my belongings, lack of apology for the misunderstanding and the way in which she had shouted.
I confronted her about the accusation of shoplifting, she again raised her voice, stating I was a shoplifter and claimed I had been in the shop a month ago stealing and she had witnesses. I began to get distressed telling her I live in a different town, not in Skegness, that I would have been working during the alleged incident and that I hadn't been in the store since August. She continued to insist on her false accusations mocking me stating “one month, more what's it matter” I asked for details of the supposed witnesses, dates, and evidence to substantiate her claims, and I also requested access to CCTV footage and her name. She refused to provide any information. She turned to her assistant and said isn't this the lady who stole from us?" The assistant replied 'I think so' I was getting more upset, shaking , telling them both, you can't 'think so' if you accuse someone you need facts. This us slander and you're telling lies. I told them I'm registered as blind, showed her my white cane pointing out I'd be a terrible shoplifter. I have a support dog and need help seeing. Despite this, she continued to mock and belittle me, laughed and said “ pft your dog is in a buggy.” I don't think she looked at the dog standing with a support harness on. I showed her the support registration card for my dog and told her you're rude and I want your name to complain. She refused to give it to me. I tried to read her work badge, I did and I apologise for touching the badge with my finger when trying to read it. I misjudged how far away she was from me. I see the world as a blur, it was a genuine mistake she screamed at the top of her voice in front of customers "you assaulted me, don't touch me, get your hands off me, repeatedly shouting you assaulted me that's assault" I told her I wanted her to call the police she mocked me again saying “you call the police.” saying she was leaving the shop.

I am deeply upset and humiliated by this experience. I love this town, and my family has been a part of its community for generations. She made me feel worthless like dirt with no dignity. I don't ever remember anyone in Skegness being so mean this is just not the loving people I know. A lovely lady stopped me outside. I was crying asking if I was ok and told me it was the manager of the shop who'd been rude. Whoever you are, thank you. it's left me very shaken and shocked I understand managers need to be careful and I understand anyone can make a mistake. I wish you'd spoken to me quietly and privately and acknowledge your mistake. I don't have a criminal record I have never stolen from age UK or anyone else i love going for a stroll, chatting to the staff of all the other charity shops who are absolutely lovely they make a fuss of the dogs, have giggles and send me home with a smile.

This is more a question to age uk, what happens to donations you have coming in? As i work in care industry and some elderly people that go to your care facilities have to pay at least £40 to attend for the day, how is that helping the elderly? That is more taking advantage, i have dbs checks to do my job maybe directors etc should be checked to as appear to be robbing the vunerable

You are campaigning for money for elderly but exploiting them by asking for in some cases their pension to attend groups. Your reply did not answer my questions

Age UK Milton Keynes, booked slot for a.m got email to say they would contact me to tell me if a.m or p.m slot, didn't get that, they would contact 30 mins before collection, rang home number, I was in Newport pagnell, I rang the office several times to ask if they would call me, lady was lovely and very helpful, said her manager would call me, never did. Guys arrived then said they couldn't rate bureau as have loads of them already. Did take it, suggested they could sell other items. Really friendly and helpful.
As for those who didn't bother to call me
Age UK is an amazing charity, but you've got the wrong people working in top jobs, who shouldn't have them

Love the cause overall fun

Their website for incontinence products is confusing. It needs to be easier to order without making expensive and inconvenient mistakes. It may be automated as I was told but it still needs to be made less confusing. All I got when I complained about 7 mistakes costing me £300, was "sorry". I would guess that most of their customers are elderly and they should be able to order easily.
I could go on about my experiences with other AUK services but don't have the time or energy. Stars? They dont deserve even one!

I wanted to contact Age UK about a lonely lady in my town to see what they old recommend for her to meet others and broaden her contacts.

My local office (Devizes) does not accept drop in visitors so I had to call the national helpline who said they would arrange for someone in my area to ring me. After three days no call has been received. There is no way I can find to contact Age UK by email so I am stumped, and the lady is still lonely.

My first impressions of Age UK are that it is utterly shambolic.

I will try elsewhere.

Robin Lane

PS I note from Trust Pilot that I am not alone in my view as 80-90% of the reviews are one star

A couldn’t care less company for employees and volunteers on the retail side. Made to feel bad if you can’t cover another shop on a day off . All sorts went on with area manager . Shocking the way things were allowed to go on .
Staff not backed up if a customer was rude/ verbally aggressive towards them. Avoid this charity at all costs!

what an absolutely appalling company, they employed us without any work for us. my first pay was taken from my second pay, they took training off me, and I could actually teach them a thing or two. The communication is appalling, my manger said she was going to call me the next day, I was still waiting a week later.
my final pay had the training removed and dbs, no mention of the update service they made me pay for.
they sent me to a house where the client did not want me in, so I was constantly swore at. managers are no support.
I was told Elderly do not like early calls because they don't get up early, in all my years my experience is Elderly are up at crack of dawn, because the sleep very little at night and nap during the day..this company do not care about their staff or clients.....
do not use this company, there are many better, with more compassion
they have not paid me for my last clean and travel, absolute Rob dogs...
give them a wide birth

Just spoke to age UK about my fear of homelessness that has suddenly occurred to me because my landlady recently passed away. The representative wanted to fill her forms get my name and address and send me advice but then clearly wanted to get me off the phone asap.

I was about to pay for (2 clothing items) and the black lady ( shocked she's a manager) asked me aggressively "where the other hanger for the dress" and I realised the hanger has fallen off on my way to the service counter. I replied sorry I'm not sure. She suddenly started shouting in an intimidating nd sarcastic way "you don't know where it is?" Literally told me off like a school girl. I've never felt so belittled in my life like that in public. She shouldn't be working in customer service.

When the initial sales person visited, he was very pleasant, he sold me the “dream”. I did say at the time that I have difficulty lifting my feet up and I can't sit on a seat that is to low (unless you want my neighbour who has training in lifting disabled people to come round every time I need to get out of the bath). I find people assume you are fine if you can stand up and walk forward for a few feet, they don't see that you can get incredibly tired and that turning around or dragging your left foot following the stroke can be incredibly painful. I was persuaded everything would be alright and my husband really wanted me to have a bath, as I used to love having baths. I probably needed a qualified stroke nurse or physiotherapist to be present.

I read the information we received a short while latter and as we have a real problem with damp and our bathroom extractor fan no longer worked. I suggested to my husband he should phone and add an extractor fan to the list of items we needed to be installed.

THE GOOD POINTS: The bath room door has been widened.
My new taps I ordered from the internet have been installed.
After fitting my own step.I can now have a shower.
There is one grab rail at the side of the bath.
We have a new bath.
There is a lot more room in the bathroom.

THE BAD POINTS:
I had to purchased a half step so I could step in to have a shower.
I have purchased a waterproof booster cushion, the seat is still to low, I have ordered another booster cushion to put on top.
The holder for the shower has been attached at a height that sticks out jabbing my side. As I have difficulties with balance, this makes me feel very sick when I am in the shower.
The second grab rail has not been fitted, this will be necessary if I am ever going to be able to get out of the bath.
The extractor fan has not been fitted.
Te tiles for around the bath have not been fitted.

Two people arrived for the fitting of the bathroom, one disappeared very quickly. The bath was left outside in our alley for two days. I informed the neighbours,they were not pleased.

The fitter phoned around for two days to get someone to help, as he could not bring the bath in on his own. He is a carpenter and a plumber and what he did was very good. He is not a tiler or an electrician.

On the last day he said he couldn't fit the extractor fan, as this would mean disconnecting the electricity?

He said he couldn't fit the tiles around the bath as the floor was to uneven and persuaded us that click tiling was better? He also said he would pass this on, but we would have to pay extra for our own workmen to fit the extractor fan and bathroom flooring. He put cement around the bath to fill in the gap.

The point of these baths is to make disabled peoples lives easier and give them confidence, so far I have only been upset and cried. If I hadn't purchased the step, I wouldn't even be able to get in the shower. I still can't safely have a bath. I have decided if this isn't sorted I am going to save up my state pension and in a couple of year I'll have enough to have it all ripped out and have a walk in shower and my chosen tiles fitted and I'll probably choose a different company. I think I said to the initial sales person, I need to be able to do things with out having to think about them, to feel normal.

I'd like to thank Helen at Age UK Advice (Linhay House, Ashburton) for sending me a list of links to very useful information about the use of LPAs versus applying for Court of Protection. I really needed information from an independent source, and I have exactly what I need now. I also have a list of all the relevant organisations and government departments with contact information. Perfect.

I initially sent a DM to the Age UK Supporter Engagement Team on Twitter, got a very prompt reply to that (same day), and then made contact with Helen by email.

Thank you all very much.

Hi I was recommended a hairdresser called Teresa from age concern . I found her very helpful , good hairdresser , you can tell she has been working with the older generation which is lovely nothing was to much trouble and she was very reasonable .

I am 64 asked for help with pip

Told by age uk that they only help if you are pensionable age

I think this is not fair

I tried to send an email to the address given but it said it could not be found

This is a charity that will send a cleaner that will tidy your house and forget where they put things total scam And are quick to take your mony and then wave all responsibility they will even move medication

Age uks homecare services don't take disabilities of older people into account and there attitude is one way if could give o stars I would