A PIONEERING scams awareness campaign set up to protect older people in Cheshire East has received a national award for its efforts.
The successful partnership between Age UK Cheshire East and Cheshire East Council Trading Standards Team has been recognised with a Charted Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) award.
The Older People Scams Awareness and Aftercare Project, funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund, raises scams awareness with people aged 50+ across the borough.
It also supports older victims of fraud, helping to get them back on their feet. More than 6,000 people receive its scams awareness update bulletin each month, and it offers awareness sessions to groups of older people and those who work with them.
For its positive impact on the community and victims of scams, the project has been awarded a CTSI Brian Smith Individual Heroes Award.
This is given to recognise the bravery of scam victims and the officers that work on these difficult cases.
Falling victim to a scam can devastate someone's life. The Individual Heroes award is given to those who look out for vulnerable neighbours, volunteer within their communities, and those who may be a victim, but refuse to be defined by it.
The award was presented at a ceremony in London attended by Cheshire East trading standards enforcement officer Andy Burrows and project manager Sally Wilson.
Sally said: "We are delighted that the project's success over the past 18 months has been recognised.
"We receive the award on behalf of the hard-working teams at Age UK Cheshire East and the borough's Trading Standards Service, especially our Scams Awareness Champions who volunteer to raise awareness in their communities.
"This award is also to recognise the bravery of scam victims we have worked with in coming forward for support, so they can get back on their feet and be a valued member of their community."
Information about the project's work can be found at www.ageukce.org. If you would like to receive the monthly bulletin by email, book a scams awareness session for your group or volunteer on the project in your community, you can contact Sally Wilson on 01625 612958 or enquiries@ageukce.org.
Older people who have been a victim of scams can also contact the project for advice and support.