The Universal Beneficent Society

UBS, The Universal Beneficent Society, is a charity which helps older people in the UK who are living on very low incomes.

They help older people in desperate need, regardless of their ethnic origin, background and religious affiliation. The Universal Beneficent Society is a national charity, founded in 1857, with Charles Dickens as a founder member. The original aim was to 'assist financially all those in need with no distinction of class or creed'.

Today UBS concentrates its help on people over the age of 65 who are living in difficult circumstances. UBS helps over 1,000 older people in the UK, who are living in their own homes (rented or owned), and are struggling on low incomes.

The number of older people in the UK is ever increasing. Research has shown that more than half of single pensioners in the country are in financial difficulties and are unable to achieve an acceptable and comfortable standard of living. Hardship among vulnerable older people is often accompanied by social exclusion, loneliness, anxiety, illness and mobility problems. UBS aims to tackle these issues.

• Provide a small regular additional income, every quarter.
• Award emergency grants for example, to pay for unexpected bills, household items/repairs, medical equipment.
• Work to give the people they help a sense of belonging to the UBS family, by visits from local volunteers, where possible.
• Produce a regular newsletter advising on healthcare matters and giving UBS news.
• Give hampers and cash gifts at Christmas.
• Issue bedding packs to new beneficiaries, to keep out the cold and reduce the risk of hypothermia.

 
Checked: November 2006