Faced with the high cost of living, many BARP members find the Association’s benefits and discounts scheme extremely helpful, saving them between five and twenty-five percent at over 500 businesses throughout the island, including insurance companies, health services and hardware suppliers.Also popular is BARP’s packed diary of entertainment and social events, as well their range of educational seminars and workshops where members can learn about topics of particular interest to the over 50’s.
Other benefits of BARP membership include a free Legal Guidance Service, a Personal Assistance Fund for members in dire need and the BARP GoldenHealth Insurance Plan which is available to eligible BARP members. BARP members also receive the BARP Magazine, Fifty Plus, free of charge, twice a year.
BARP is also proud of the fact that, within its membership, there is a wealth of wisdom, experience and compassion, all of which helps the Association achieve its aims and objectives. Whether offering their time as volunteers on one of the many community service programmes, or becoming involved in campaigns to end unfair business practices and bring about changes in policy, members wishing to do so can play an active role and in particular, help with the many challenges facing the elderly in Barbados.
The Barbados Association of Retired Persons makes an extremely important contribution to the lives, not only of its members, but of all those aged 50 and over in Barbados. As well as their community projects and social and educational activities, the sheer size of BARP’s membership means that policy and decision makers in Barbados will have little option but to pay increasing attention to what BARP has to say. This ensures that the views and concerns of persons aged 50 and over in Barbados can be heard. BARP members and those they represent now have a ‘voice’, and that is the first and most important step in the process of achieving real and lasting change.
Individual membership is $65 for the first year and $60 per year thereafter. Joint (husband and wife) membership is $100 for the first year and $90 thereafter. To qualify for membership, persons should have an address in Barbados and be aged 50 or over.