Age UK Westminster – Assure Your Right to Vote!
Age UK Westminster (the primary partner), in partnership with Age UK Kensington & Chelsea (the junior partner), has primarily engaged with Londoners aged 60 and above through direct in-person engagement in Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea; and through indirect methods, such as distributing flyers (in English, French and Arabic) and newsletters to their readership. It embedded Voter ID awareness-raising into its regular information and advice services; and cascaded information to staff and volunteers within the organisation to enable this. In partnership with other London-based Age UK organisations, it has also delivered awareness-raising activity in Hillingdon, and Hammersmith and Fulham.
At the beginning of their project, Age UK Westminster found that over 60 percent of the participants they engaged were unaware of the need for photo Voter ID. Following awareness-raising outreach and activities, less than 40 percent of surveyed participants were still unaware. This shows that the activity had the desired impact, but that more work is needed.
Following a themed event, Age UK Westminster participant Jean reported that she had submitted her application for an accepted form of photo Voter ID, and was pleased to know her vote would still be counted at the forthcoming election. She provided the following testimony:
“I have always used my right to vote. It is good to have this information. I was ready before to vote and take part in wider civic life. It is a good rule. Just to say I am very happy to attend the polling booth on the day of voting to register my vote with the appropriate identity to accept my eligibility. I am pleased that I have checked it. Thank you, Age UK for sharing this information so I know that I have the right ID. I didn’t know about this. It’s good to know these things. I will tell my children.”
In total, the grantee reported that relevant information was included in 467 events, and the reach was:1,900 people via in-person events; 31,165 via articles and ads in community press; 1,668 via newsletters/ blogs/ website; 2,455 via flyers and other printed materials.