ombudsman and older consumers
As part of the ombudsman's commitment to outreach work with specific groups of consumers who have lower levels of awareness and usage of the ombudsman service, the ombudsman is running a campaign to engage with older people.
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 independent free ombudsman service, in the event of a dispute with a bank, insurance company or finance firm.
As a key part of this work, the ombudsman has formed a media partnership with Choice – a leading lifestyle magazine for people over 50. Recent coverage includes:
- Choice December 2008 [opens in PDF format]
- Choice November 2008 [opens in PDF format]
- Choice October 2008 [opens in PDF format]
The ombudsman also features in the current issue of Retirement Today [opens in PDF format] as well as on the Retirement Today website.
Other themes of the ombudsman's campaign to engage with older people involves:
- working with silversurfersguide.com, a web resource aimed at the over 50s
- featuring in Age Concern's publication Inform and Advise (for Age Concern carers and advisers) and Citizens Advice's magazine Adviser
- running consumer-adviser training-days for front-line advisers at a range of organisations that represent the interests of older consumers
- an ombudsman news special-feature including case studies involving older consumers
- coverage in Mature Times, Saga magazine, Arthritis Times, The Good Non-retirement Guide and The Oldie
- taking part in local radio interviews and phone-ins aimed at older consumers – especially those living in rural districts, more isolated parts of the country, and retirement areas such as the South Coast.
The ombudsman launched its campaign with older consumers at The Retirement Show 2008 which took place at London Olympia and Glasgow SECC earlier this year.