the ombudsman and older consumers
The ombudsman is running a campaign to engage with older people – as part of our commitment to outreach work with targeted groups of consumers who use the ombudsman less and have lower levels of awareness of the service.
Focusing on a period in life when consumers are likely to face significant change – and important financial challenges and decisions – the campaign reminds older and retired people about their right as consumers to use the free independent ombudsman, in the event of a dispute with a bank, insurance company or finance firm.
our media partners
The ombudsman works closely in partnership with a range of specialist media-outlets aimed at older consumers, including:
- Hospital Radio - the ombudsman works closely with hospital radio stations nationwide – including Newton Abbot hospital radio, who have produced information on the ombudsman service that is currently being broadcast in hospitals across the UK
- Choice – a leading lifestyle magazine for people over 50
2010 [PDF format]:
March
2009 [PDF format]:
December | October | September | August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January
- Retirement Today – the magazine and website for people approaching or enjoying retirement
2010 [PDF format]:
March/April
2009 [PDF format]:
November/December | July/August | March/April
- a feature in Emphasis [PDF format], the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's quarterly magazine
- coverage in Women's Health 2009 [PDF format], a guide produced as part of the Women's Institute magazine
- a feature in the Healthier Living guide [PDF format] – promoting informed choices for a healthier lifestyle, and available at NHS surgeries and clinics nationwide
- silversurfersguide.com – a web resource aimed at the over 50s – with information on how make a complaint and the role of the ombudsman
- coverage in Mature Times, Saga magazine, Arthritis Times, The Good Non-retirement Guide and The Oldie
out and about
The ombudsman takes part in – and organises – a wide-range of events aimed at older consumers, including:
- drop-in complaints-clinics focused on older people – held in partnership with local advice groups and agencies (for example, our Highlands and Islands Tour in 2009)
- the Caravan and Motorhome Show at the Birmingham NEC
- the Fabulous at 50+ Show at the Bournemouth International Centre
- the Retirement Show at London Olympia and Glasgow SECC
trusted advisers
The ombudsman works with a wide-range of advice workers and community groups that work with older consumers. This includes:
- running community and advice worker training-days for front-line advisers at a range of organisations that represent the interests of older consumers
- contributing to publications read by advice workers – such as Inform and Advise (for Age Concern carers and advisers), Advice NI, Citizens Advice Adviser, and an ombudsman news special-feature with case studies involving older consumers
- coverage in Newslines [PDF format], the newsletter for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) – the UK-wide charity for volunteers over 50
- taking part in Nursing in Practice [advert in PDF format] – the largest free event for practice nurses and primary-care specialists across the UK
- working with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) – the organisation that works across the NHS, handling patient and family concerns
- taking part in local radio interviews and phone-ins aimed at older consumers – especially those living in rural districts or more isolated parts of the UK.