Supporting older LGBTQ+ people

Supporting older LGBTQ+ people in Scotland

Diversity and inclusion is a key theme underpinning Age Scotland’s strategy and, in recent months, we’ve been able to expand our work in this important area. To mark Pride month this June, we’re delighted to give an update on how Age Scotland is supporting the older LGBTQ+ community by providing advice and working to create a new Scottish LGBTQ+ Older People’s Network. Age Scotland wants to ensure that its services and activities are accessible and relevant to all older people across Scotland, particularly those groups currently under-represented. Our aim is for all older people to flourish in a culture of respect and self-dignity, where we celebrate differences and tackle inequality head on. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on older people. As communities and older people’s groups start to recover, the total impact is only now starting to surface. There is evidence that older people from ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as those with disabilities, have been disproportionately affected by the impact of Covid-19 and Age Scotland understands the need to take positive action to serve older people who face barriers in accessing information, advice and services.

It is important for LGBTQ + older people to have a collective voice, and a platform to share their lived experience and the impact of discriminatory practice on their lives. As part of our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion, Age Scotland is in the process of setting up the first Scottish LGBTQ+ Older People’s Network in Scotland. The purpose of the Network is to stimulate debate, share information and discuss the common issues to influence change. The membership of the Network is made up of LGBTQ + individuals, groups and organisations with representation from Prides across Scotland. The Network will be led by its members and supported by the Diversity and Inclusion team at Age Scotland. While starting up a Network is important, Age Scotland is also committed to broader representation within its membership across all categories. We will continue to raise the profile of Age Scotland’s goal of representing the diversity and intersectionality of older people and encouraging interested LGBTQ+ individuals, groups and organisations to join Age Scotland’s membership network. We currently have two guides aimed specifically at providing advice to the older LGBTQ+ community. Rights of LGBT+ older people in Scotland covers some of the most common topics we are asked about, including rights, healthcare, financial and legal issues, and social opportunities, while Support for older LGBT+ Veterans in Scotland offers members of the ex-service community support in later life.

Support for Older LGBT+ Veterans in Scotland

Portobello OPP Christmas meal

Winter Warmer Grants

Following a rather bleak winter amidst Covid-19 restrictions in 2020, Walter Scott Giving Group (the philanthropic arm of an Edinburghbased Investment Company) contacted Age Scotland to see if we could make the winter of 2021 a better one for older people in the city. This resulted in the Edinburgh Winter Warmer Grant, created to fund activities for older people with up to £1,000 available per group. 19 Age Scotland member groups were awarded £18,382 in total, with 1,213 older people benefitting from activities, outings, meals and gifts. I couldn't 14 groups organised festive meals, 10 sent out stop laughing! Christmas gifts or festive packs, while 6 organised Group member outings including a visit to the ballet, Dancing on Ice and a football match. Like many groups, Portobello Older People’s Project suspended face-toface activities in March 2020 and were only able to resume activities in mid-September 2021 with significant mitigations in place. Folk really had missed each other’s company and the post-lockdown programme had to be quieter than usual, so the opportunity to have members enjoy a festive outing was welcome. With the help of Walter Scott Giving Group and the imagination and hard work of local Age Scotland member groups, we’re delighted that older people in Edinburgh were remembered and able to connect during the winter months.

Clydebank Seniors Forum

– a legacy to be proud of

Janet Campbell, Rhona Young (seated), Mary Kennedy, Anne Meikle, Daphne Mackay

Charlie Murphy (community development officer for Glasgow city) and Ann Yourston (community development officer for West Dunbartonshire) visited some of the members & committee of Clydebank Seniors Forum on a sunny afternoon in April. Unfortunately, this group is disbanding after a long association with its local community. Like many groups at the moment, they have found it increasingly difficult to get enough volunteers interested - especially in taking up committee member places. Mary Kennedy, the group’s treasurer, told us that the Clydebank Seniors Forum dates back to 1986 and over the years held monthly meetings for members, campaigning on behalf of older people in the area – for example they successfully pushed for a lift to be installed at Dalmuir Train Station – as well as enjoying regular social outings. The group can be justly proud that over five decades it did everything it could to support the rights of older people locally, as well as bringing them together socially. Age Scotland is sorry to see them go but their legacy will live on as they have very generously gifted the remainder of their funds (£4101.33) to us to support other groups. Their lovely banner, which can be seen in the photos above, has been gifted to the local Town Hall Museum.