Age UK Reviews 

Appalling and unreliable cleaning service from Age UK Northamptonshire.

My father is terminally ill, immunosuppressed, therefore he is presently extremely vulnerable.

To-date, Age UK have sent out 2 different cleaners to his property. Both have proved unreliable and certainly not fit for purpose. This was despite an initial indepth meeting to discuss tasks required, and to risk assess the property.
So far, this diabolical service has cost my father £80, he has not received the service that he has paid for, and in the process has been put at risk from having different people through his door.

The first cleaner, stated that the majority of her clients didn't actually want her to clean, instead, they just wanted to chat and it was only the families that wanted her to clean. She seemed clueless about basic infection control and used 1 bucket of dirty water to clean 6 rooms at the property. Two of those rooms being the bathroom and kitchen, spreading germs around my immnosuppressed fathers home. The cleaning cloth used didn't such much as make contact with clean water for the duration. She was far more interested in chatting, and moaning that Age Concern had only provided her with 1 pair of gloves when she commenced employment with them 12 months ago. I offered her disposable gloves, but she declined.

A few days later I received a call from from the office, stating that the cleaner didn't wish to attend the property again, as she was 'frightened' of my father's dog, which at the time of her visit was secured outside of the property, as agreed, during the initial assessment.

A second cleaner was put in place. She attended the property in her NHS cleaning uniform. She asked to change once she arrived at the property. Not only did this 10 minutes eat into the 2 hours that my father pays for, it was also bringing germs into my father's home from the hospital. My father remained outside in the garden and the dog was also outside, and secured out of sight for the duration.
The cleaner failed to clean the bathroom, and also under the bed, this is despite the cordless hoover and the mop being able to access it easily. No water at any point was used on the dry cleaning cloths.
She also instigated a conversation during her visit,stating that she would be happy to attend the property even if there was no-one there present. I found this statement odd, as It was stipulated during the assessment that someone always needed to be at the property during visits.
The said cleaner then left the property early, but signed the yellow card stating that she had attended for the full 2 hours. It was only when I brought this to her attention that she changed it to reflect the actual time.

A few days later, I received another call from the office stating that the 2nd cleaner would not be returning as she felt uncomfortable.

My family are going through an extremely emotional and difficult period at present. Age Concern were supposed to make life a little easier. Instead this whole experience has be nothing but stressful, and at a cost to my seriously ill father. Not only did both cleaners seemed clueless regarding the basic fundamentals of cleaning/infection control they also appeared clueless regarding the cleaning tasks required at the property, which were discussed/documented during the initial assessment? Out of the 2 visits my father has had he has only received 2 hours of cleaning at most. The rest of the time was either spent going through the list of tasks, showing the location of cleaning products/equipment, chatting, or leaving early. I presume that my father will not be credited for such incompetence?!

I am so disappointed and upset with the service my father has so far received. It's certainly not the service that I expect from a large charitable organisation that has been set up to help the elderly.

Avoid and save yourself the cost/hassle.

Terrible, I should have looked at their reviews beforehand and they’re very much deserved. Gateshead area is just as bad, their reputation is in the dumps, steer clear!

I've done a bit of research because some months ago my granddad had a Handicare stairlift sold to him by Age UK which has broken down but it's impossible to contact them by telephone.
I did once but was spoken to like I was not even a fellow human being. I have read a lot of bad reviews on here and have come to the conclusion that money and therefore income for Age CO/UK is more important than the ethics they pretend to have as a charity for the elderly. They are still advertising to sell Handicare's stairlifts despite the fact that most of the reviews on here are one star (RED). I'm seeking legal advice tomorrow, so please don't reply to me with one your sympathetic answers as you have to others on here. Put your charity ethics before the £3m profit you make from Handicare and then I'll talk to you. Stop spending money on Google Ads as I know that costs s lot of money. You have a duty to HMRC to act as a non profit charity to comply with the tax benefits you receive. The two year warranty you advertise is a fake attention getter to get sales off vulnerable and elderly people. 79% 1 star ratings and you can't give zero!

EDIT: Looking on how you have dealt with the other 1 star reviews here, I really can't be bothered. You are abusing your charity tax status. Expect an audit from the tax people soon.

All I read here is terrible about Age UK. My daughter who suffers with MS was sold a Handicare Stairlift which was too small for her. Absolutely disgusting! I think that Age UK is a subsidiary of Handicare. Disgusting and I will report to my local MP.

Phoned age UK to ask for help, initial call lady was helpful and advised I phoned their specialist area on the subject.
I phoned and spoke to a guy called Gareth he was great.
He listened to my situation and concerns and broke it down neatly into a number of sections, then going through each explaining in very understandable language how they worked answering any questions I had along the way, also giving very good examples to help explain.

He also highlighted areas we should keep a close watch on and where to go if we had concerns.

He promised to supply a number of useful documents to read and help during the process, which all arrived within 20mins via email.

Overall really nice guy super helpful, with the ability to explain to us complex things in simple terms. He has given us the information and help that makes us feel confident we won't let down our relative in helping move them from hospital to a care home

I worked here for slightly under 1 year I loved my role as a volunteer the staff were all a pleasure to work with
Recently I was verbally abused by a male paid member of staff on 5 occasions so as a volunteer I left unfortunately .
A paid member of staff spoilt it there was no way I was tolerating his verbal abuse many customers complained about his swearing on the shop floor not only to me but another volunteer absolutely disgusting .
I filed a complaint to head office regarding .
This was in Sunderland store Blandford Strret

My aunt got bullied into buying a stairlift off Age UK?Handicare. the man was about 6 foot 8 and wouldn't let her say no. she has only just told me about this and I am fuming. please be careful if you buy a stairlift from Age UK/Handicare in the Bournemouth area. She doesn't want me to mention her name.

The “advisors” lack professional training and personal experience required to understand some of the many complex issues and needs that can confront the age group they claim to serve. They all appear to be programmed like robots to respond in a similar stereotypical manner. The”wounded helper syndrome” is not a replacement for professional experience!

In many European countries equivalent services, some of which are also run on a voluntary basis, engage caring and empathetic individuals with higher education and professional qualifications in the field in which they are employed to work, or at least a related field, who are adept at working with Senior Citizens and their families when approached for advice and/or support in order to encourage them to seek and find workable solutions.

It appears that age.uk workers are at a loss if they are not approached with a specific question or an expected outcome. When dealing with individuals, and not only the elderly, it is well known that they may be seeking support as they have been unable to formulate a question themselves or predetermine what the outcome should be. Life is not always cut and dry and people’s problems cannot simple be shoehorned into a few boxes! Support in this is what should be expected from an organisation claiming to represent and provide services to the elderly in the U.K.!

Update
Further to your response, I can only raise matters here or on the phone. I have already wasted far too much time talking to your telephone operators and all to no avail. I.need to find a rapid way forward rather than repeatedly going over old ground which has proven to be of absolutely no help. Perhaps you need to reflect on the number of other negative comments here and examine the reasons why and the improvements test are required.

What is the use of age concern charity. They raise money but if you want to use any of their services or activities you have to pay for it. I understand the director gets three thousand pounds a week. They don't help the old but agree to anything the government puts forward. I think they are just a useless con.

I don't think that people really understand the practical support Age UK provides.  My mum used to go to her local Age UK three times a week.  Community transport would pick her up and drop her back and fully understood her mobility needs.  She'd then have a lovely lunch whilst nattering to friends and get involved in social activities.  A few times we had to alert Age UK to concerns we'd had about Mum and asked them to keep an eye on her for us.  It was great knowing that she was surrounded by caring and knowledgeable staff and volunteers.  We knew she was safe there.  She got involved with exercise classes and special occasions which she absolutely loved.  She would get her hair cut at Age UK and we also used their recommendation service to find handymen/women, podiatrists and chiropodists that were trained in dealing with elderly and vulnerable people. It really is a vital service that without Mum wouldn't have been able to live in her own home for so long and I would have had a lot more headaches trying to get 'safe' trades people into her house to fix issues as they arose.  The staff are so understanding, kind and full of helpful advice.  I think it's important that we all support their work in any way we can.  I know so many others who've had similar experiences and without Age UK wouldn't have had anywhere to turn. 

Been at the store ,very clean ,lots of merchandise for all kind of customers ,better than other charity shop ,I have seen in the last weeks ,staff very friendly ,recommend to have a in your spare time

If you could give ZERO star then I would. I was told and it was on the website that there was a drop in 9-5 Monday to Friday in Sutton to make a wasted joined top be told you have to make an appointment. Explained it also said on website but no one interested. Did not receive call back as toldI would and when I rang to ask for HELP I spoke to PATRICK who immediately told me " we are not a one stop shop you know" and then treated me disgracefully and being put on hold for 15 minutes .I was recommended to call AGEUK by the cancer team and the local authority after needing help with both my parents. Absolutely disgusting service and AGEUK should hang their head in shame !!!

A person by the name of Lyn visited my wife & I as I had concerns for my wife's safety due to her falling down several times recently.
The meeting went well & she appeared to be most helpful giving us leaflets on place's to attend & things to do, the meeting went well that is until 2 days later when my wife received a phone call from her asking my wife how she was, she then said I had to report you to Social Services for Hording, my wife said Hording what!
She replied there is stuff in your house that is a fire risk 🔥, we also have a fire alarm system that was put in by the Fire Brigade.
Lyn only went in to our living room & we only have a three piece sofa, a coffee table, a sideboard, a t/v & a dining room table that we use most days, I hardly call this Hording especially as she only went into 1 room, I find that this woman is a noisy busybody that might need psychiatric medical help.
Lynn reminded me of Nurse Cratchet in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, outwardly nice, inwardly a nasty person!
This type of person is out to cause you trouble & in reality is too fond of her own importance & this will be the last time I will reach out for help.
Do yourself a favour and be careful who you ask for help!!!

Disappointed and upset at response from advisor. She was clearly in a rush and showed no empathy at all. Advice given was not helpful and advisor was unable to answer my questions about issues I am facing, despite me explaining these issues in an email to sane person a week before. Obviously did no research and failed to signpost me to other community organisations that may be able to help.

Advisor had done no research and simply wanted to get rid of me. Made me feel a burden. Upsetting experience. I expected more from a charity that's supposed to help people. Don't know why people work or volunteer for a charity when they obviously don't care!

Absolutely disgusted with a staff member of this store. Cannot believe my blind disabled mother was not only falsely accused of shoplifting a jumper which turned out to be her own. She was abruptly stopped then when she explained her condition she was mocked and laughed at. Makes me sick that this is ok and was not taken further. I will be complaining externally. As a store manager of a large retail store I cannot agree with this behaviour. We will be escalating this.

You replied to my previous review on price increases and the very first thing you did was to deny any collective responsibility - you do this in virtually every response you make. Passing the buck - "not me guv".
You then go on to say you would be happy to enquire about the charges and take forward my concerns with the local Age UK.
What is the point of doing that when you've already admitted you can't do anything about it anyway???
What's wrong with you? It's nothing short of a fob off.
Are you not concerned that 79% of these reviews give you only one star...?

Age UK sent carers to help my late father, who passed away last week.
They were useless, and for an organisation supposedly focussed on caring for the elderly, they are nothing more than a scam.
They would hardly do anything he requested, even though he was PAYING for their services.
When he passed away I phoned them to let them know my father has passed away, yet I got a phone call the next day "our carer went to visit your father and there was no answer" !! How useless and uncaring can you get !!
To top it off, I went to his house today, and there are invoices requesting money for their services, even though he has been dead over a week.
Age UK you can do one, you useless, uncaring, absolute scammers.

Wanted advice for my elderly infirm mother so phoned contact number to be told sorry don’t cover your area ( Bassetlaw ) saying here’s a number who may help, phoned the number and a young lad was as much use as a chocolate fire guard didn’t have a clue.
Not the best experience from Age UK.
Thanks for the reply and no I won’t be contacting you again as you couldn’t do much the first time around so my calculated guess is you’ll do even less this time, let’s hope no of your relatives ever need your advice.

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.