OLDER people living in poverty will be able to access help and advice on claiming benefits and other services thanks to a new mobile advice service run by Age UK East Sussex.

The £54,000 grant from Sussex Freemasons will cover the running costs of the service which is aimed at older people who have difficulty attending existing advice sessions either because of disability or because they live in more isolated rural areas.

Even though Sussex is considered an affluent county, there are many pockets of poverty.

A recent Social Market Foundation report identified a number of coastal communities as having some of the country’s worst levels of deprivation.

The service will be delivered from a Benefits Advice and Community Resource vehicle where older people go to as part of their daily lives in Bexhill, Langney, Polegate, Rye and Hastings.

It will provide a warm, comfortable and safe environment where older people can get support where they live.

Through this free and confidential service trained advisors will work with local older people.

In addition, they will conduct benefits checks and helping with making a claim, ensuring they have enough money to meet basic needs.

They will provide contact with Age UK East Sussex services and other local support agencies.

The service will be a destination for collecting NHS hearing aid batteries and distribute publications on issues relevant to older people.

The grant from Sussex Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends.