Local people spend almost an hour and a half a month searching for important pieces of paper.

This fact was one of the findings of a recent piece of research done nationally by Age Concern.

‘Havering has the highest proportion of over sixties in London’ said Stan Gann of Age Concern Havering ‘Older people can get very panicky when asked to provide things like birth certificates, driving licences or utility bills in order to claim benefits, travel cards, insurance and so on’

There is no more need to panic. A free booklet has been designed by Age Concern and any older person can either get a printed copy or use the interactive website.

‘The booklet is brilliantly designed to help people to organise all the information about their life in one place’ said Stan ‘Older people really appreciate this help in getting their affairs in order’

‘The Age Concern LifeBook also gives confidence that the burden of managing our affairs will be made much easier for our loved ones when it becomes necessary’

An application form for The Age Concern LifeBook can be picked up from Age Concern at Scottish Mutual House, North Street in Hornchurch or phone Stan for more information on 01708 479686.

‘This is such a good idea we have decided to make LifeBook available to anyone of any age’ said Stan ‘The research showed that over half the population has to hunt around for important or misplaced paperwork anywhere between once a week and once a month’

The website address is at www.ageconcern.org.uk/lifebook