'Make Do and Mend'
11 May 2009
Media Contact: Ann Ferguson, Public Affairs Manager
Telephone: 0845 833 0200
Out-of-hours: 07801 500 663 (press mobile)
Strictly embargoed until 00.01 Monday 11th May 2009
NEWS RELEASE
OLDER PEOPLE IN SCOTLAND GOING BACK TO ‘MAKE DO AND MEND' TO WEATHER THE RECESSION
Seven in ten older people in Scotland are resorting to thrifty skills picked up during the war and post-war years to help them save money and make resources go further during the recession, new research from Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland reveals.
Trying to fend off the blows of the economic downturn, 70 per cent of people over 50 say they are getting back to trusted money-saving strategies learnt during previously tough times or handed-down from their parents. The survey shows:
- 93 per cent of people over the age of 50 say they budget carefully and spend within their means
- 85 per cent cook from scratch rather than buying ready-made meals
- 68 per cent reuse leftover food
- 58 per cent shop for food in the reduced section or buy reduced food at the end of the day
- 43 per cent sew or mend items for themselves or others
- 22 per cent grow their own vegetables.
The research also shows nine in ten older people believe the ‘make do and mend' mentality could help younger generations weather today's recession. Younger people share the same belief with 84 per cent of people aged 18-24 thinking they could benefit from skills handed down from tough war and post-war years.
For Tina Watkin, aged 65, who lives on Pension Credit, 'scrimping and saving' has become a way of life:
"I have just started growing my own vegetables, using homemade compost, from vegetable peelings, shredded newspaper and coffee grounds. I usually cook at home but if I buy myself a Chinese take-away as a rare treat, I will eat half and freeze the other half.
"I also try not to waste water. Washing clothes is kept to a minimum and I never use half loads in the washing machine. When I've finished washing up, I use the dishwater to wash the car or wheelie bins and sometimes to water the flowers.
"I always mend clothes for my grand-daughter, with new zips or velcro. It's a dying art, but I have taught my daughter to knit - there is real pride in wearing something that took three weeks to knit. I cut my own hair rather than spend money at the hairdressers."
David Manion, Chief Executive of Age Concern Scotland said: "While the continuation of the skills is admirable, pensioners in 21st century Scotland shouldn't be in a situation which forces them to make use of the thrifty skills and a mindset born out of the hardship of the war period.
"With all their thriftiness, many older people simply have no slack left in their budget to tighten their belts any further as they battle against high food and fuel prices and shrinking income from savings."
"Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland urges the UK Government to recognise the difficulties faced daily by pensioners at this time and make benefits more accessible by simplifying the benefits system."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Age Concern Scotland and Help the Aged in Scotland have joined together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.
- ICM interviewed a random sample of 2007 adults in GB aged 18+ by telephone between 24th-30th April 2009. Q4-12 based on a sample size of 943 of respondents aged 50+ only. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/
Contacts:
Ann Ferguson, Public Affairs Manager
Telephone: 0845 833 0200
Out-of-hours: 07801 500 663 (PRESS MOBILE)
Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland
Causewayside House
160 Causewayside
Edinburgh EH9 1PR