Advantage
Age Scotland’s magazine: summer 2016, issue 46
Meet our fabulous award winners
The Golden Games are coming p16 2016 National Conference pg 10 One million Silver Line calls! p9
Advantage is the Age Scotland magazine that provides information, inspiration and ideas to empower Scotland’s older people, their friends, families and carers.
Calendar
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News
p 8 Enterprise p 9 Silver Line p 10 Inform p 18 Inspire p 20 Get Involved p 24 Going Local p 29 Soap Box p 30 Interview
If you have news, events or issues that you would like Advantage to cover, please get in touch. We would also welcome ideas on how we might improve the magazine. Advantage is part funded by a grant from the Scottish Government. Age Scotland aims to ensure information is accurate at time of production and cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions.
Email: advantage@agescotland.org.uk Telephone: 0333 323 2400 Write to:
Advantage, Age Scotland Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR
Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number: 153343 Charity Number SC010100. Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.
ISSN 1747-4515
Foreword
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e ecutiv x E f e i h C Brian Sloan, Hi Everyone, Welcome to our first Advantage magazine of 2016 – what a year it’s turning out to be! With the sad passing of so many beloved famous figures, it has seemed for many that this year is taking away many people dear to our hearts. However, this also gives us the opportunity to celebrate the life that has been led and revisit their great work. It also reminds us that so many of these great figures from the world of entertainment were still having an amazing impact even on our culture though in their later life. So with the Luminate Creative Ageing Festival looking for submissions for events this October, how about you take the lead from these great entertainers to showcase your creative side? This leads me on to a 90 year old who is having an incredible impact on the society, and who we at Age Scotland wish a very happy birthday to, Her Majesty The Queen. As our Head of State, Patron and supporter of so many charitable ventures, she has served the country her whole life. At Age Scotland, we are trying our best to showcase those who might not get the same level of attention but still work so hard for their communities. On page 18, you can read about our 2016 award winners; an amazing group of people who though from all parts of the country, are united by their dedication to improving the lives of older people.
Our awards ceremony was part of the afternoon session of our second National Conference, held at the Perth Concert Hall. We were pleased to welcome members, supporters and partners from all across Scotland to talk about ‘Quality of life’ and to give attendees the opportunity to shape the way we work. We were also delighted to welcome the singer-songwriter Eddi Reader who presented the awards and then had the whole hall singing along with a spellbinding performance. As well as the above, we bring you news of our work, some great guest articles from the Soil Association and the Ramblers and an updated from our groups across the country. I hope you enjoy the magazine, and look forward to seeing you at one of our events in the near future! As always, we’d love to know what you think about the magazine. If you have any projects, stories or campaigns you’d like us to help showcase, get in touch with the team behind Advantage by either writing to us at 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR, or emailing advantage@agescotland.org.uk. Bye for now,
Brian Sloan
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Luminate wants to hear from you! Luminate is back this October, and now’s the time to think about whether your group or organisation would like to get involved. Luminate is a nationwide arts festival focusing on ageing, supported by Age Scotland and based in the charity’s Edinburgh office. Each year groups are invited to put forward events for the festival programme, and this process is now underway for 2016. So what kinds of events could you put forward? Previous festivals have included: • Arts activities and performances in care settings or for older people’s social groups • Exhibitions and performances of work by older artists, both amateur and professional • Arts projects bringing together the generations, giving older and younger people the chance to take part as equal partners
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• Special offers for older people, for example theatre ticket deals including the chance to meet and have a cup of tea together afterwards • Plays, poetry readings and film screenings that feature stories of ageing If your event is included you will be featured in the brochure which is distributed across Scotland, and you will appear on the Luminate website and in the press and media campaign. You will also have you the chance to attend some special events where you will meet other event organisers, and hear about projects taking place elsewhere in the country. If you are running an arts event that you would like to have included in Luminate’s programme, you can apply online at www.luminatescotland.org. Alternatively phone the Luminate team and they will send you a paper form – 0131 668 8066. The deadline for proposals is 29th June if you want to be included in the brochure, and 5th August for inclusion on the website only.
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AGE SCOTLAND HOUSING CONSULTATION
Over the next few months Age Scotland will be visiting groups across the country and inviting you to share with us any concerns or comments you may have about your home or neighbourhood. This is an opportunity for you to tell us about what you think we should be paying attention to. There are a number of topics that this will cover, however, we know from preliminary conversations that there is a strong interest in talking about the support and assistance that is available to help you. Suggested topics of conversation include a discussion on what you can do to live independently at home for as long as possible; how to keep warm and save money in winter; as well as, the accessibility of local services, such as transport, shops or social activities. At the end of this series of group conversations, we will produce a report, which will help plan future services for local people across Scotland. We look forward to hearing from you and hope that you will find this to be an informative and candid discussion. We have events lined up in Ross-shire, Caithness & Sutherland on the 21st to the 23rd of June and we are planning further events in September and October in Aberdeenshire, Argyll & Bute, Orkney, Perthshire, Western Isles though exact dates and locations are to be confirmed. If you are interested in taking part then contact our Housing Policy Officer, Ciaran McDonald, on 0333 323 2400 or by emailing Ciaran.McDonald@agescotland.org.uk.
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Walking Football Festival 2016 Get your team warmed up for this year’s Scottish Walking Football Festival! Walking Football has seen a surge in popularity in recent years with teams and projects developing in settings from football clubs, local authorities, community groups, sports clubs and in healthcare settings. Walking Football has the potential to improve people’s lives especially of those aged 50+. Benefits include increased physical activity, improved mental health and wellbeing, access to additional sources of support and the opportunity to form new friendships for those living in isolation. Following the success of the 2015 Walking Football Festival we are pleased to promote the 2016 event. This year’s festival will be your chance to: • be crowned Scottish Walking Football Champions (aged 50+ tournament) • come and try Walking Football (open to all ages) • take part in friendly matches against other teams (open to all ages)
When: Sunday 19 June 2016 Where: Spartans FC, Edinburgh EH5 2HF If you have any other queries about the festival please contact Billy Singh on 01259 218 888 or walkingfootball@pathsforall.org.uk.
Email your events to advantage@agescotland.org.uk
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Food for Life Scotland - Bringing Generations Together Good food is at the heart of happy, healthy communities, bringing people of all ages together. Soil Association Scotland’s Food for Life Scotland (FFLS) programme works to transform food culture and put good food on the menu, in the curriculum, and in all the places people live their daily lives. In late 2015, FFLS set up an intergenerational project in Edinburgh which focuses on two settings – Inch View Care Home and Liberton High School. Both venues come under the management of the City of Edinburgh Council and both already have a commitment to good food through the Food for Life Catering Mark award. When the idea of an intergenerational project was introduced, the school and the care home were enthusiastic. Both were keen to use the journey of their food –‘from soil to plate’ – as a basis for learning, sharing, and celebrating together. Building a wheelchair-accessible polytunnel at Inch View has been one of the key projects. Volunteers helped with the construction and pupils from Liberton built its doors as part of their Craft Design & Technology work. Produce will be used in the home’s kitchen as ingredients for residents’ meals and scraps will also go to feed the home’s chickens.
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As part of a dementia prevention project, Inch View decided to create a recipe book which involved residents reminiscing about childhood memories of food. The school’s art department ran a competition with S2 to design the cover, and pupils are now planning to produce the whole book, including illustrations. In March 2016, a daffodil lunch was held at Liberton High School. Pupils from the school’s Food for Life Action Group worked with their school cook to look at nutrition for older people and consider what dishes they might like to eat. Pupils designed invitations, menus, prepared the tables and cooked up a fabulous range of dishes for their special guests from Inch View. Three generations sat down to eat together, sharing their experiences and getting to know each other. Future events being planned include a strawberry tea and harvest event in autumn, as well as the on-going sharing of produce grown in Inch View’s polytunnel and the school’s raised beds. One pupil from Liberton has been inspired to consider a career in catering and another pupil who has expressed an interest in care work has been offered work experience at Inch View. The project has been a real team effort, it’s a great example of generations working together and celebrating through food. To find out more about Food for Life Scotland, please visit www.foodforlifescotland.org or email ffls@soilassociation.org.
Email your events to advantage@agescotland.org.uk
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Age Scotland launches new guides to help with care homes
Care Home Guide
Health and Wellb
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Before You Move
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Care Home Guide:
Care Home CHECKLIST
Care Home Guide:
Friends and Family
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AGE care home AGE care home
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Care Home Guide: Funding
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Choosing a care home is one of the most important decisions you can make. To help you out, Age Scotland has produced a range of guides for individuals, or the friends and relatives of someone, thinking about moving into a care home. After all, you want to be sure that your new home offers everything you need and is a place you will be happy to live in. Finding out as much as you can about a home will help you to make an informed choice. Whether you’re looking for a care home for yourself or with support from the local authority, you have a choice as to where you live. It may seem like a big step, but it is important to remember the move can be a positive choice, offering opportunities to develop new friendships and providing a safe and comfortable place to live. Everyone has different ideas about what they want from where they live. What is especially important to you? Our handy guides contain some questions that you might want to ask or consider, with space on each page for your comments and a separate page for you to write down any other questions of your own.
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During the process of making the decision, keep in mind that a new home will be just that; a home for you to enjoy, welcome visitors and make new friends. Remember to ask the care home about anything you are unsure of and take time to consider your options before you make a decision about a home. The guides will also help you with other actions to consider: should you consider a power of attorney; how would you like to live in a care home and how you pay for care? The guides aim to address these issues and provide information on moving to, and living in, a care home, and what role your relatives or friends might take on. The difference in individual circumstances, and between individual care homes in Scotland can be big and as such it would be impossible to provide information on exactly what to expect from each. Instead, our guides are structured to provide a good practice guide: what to expect from a good care home and where to go and what to do if things are not as they should be. To receive one of our care home guides, contact the Silver Line Scotland on 0800 4 70 80 90.
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Products and services designed for the over 50s • Home Insurance • Travel Insurance • Car Insurance • Personal Alarms • Funeral Plans
For a no obligation quote, visit: Age Scotland – Edinburgh Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR
Tel: 0800 456 1137
(Open 9am–5pm Monday–Friday)
Age Scotland – Glasgow 37 Glassford Street Glasgow G1 1UG
Tel: 0800 500 3159
(Open 9am–5pm Monday–Friday)
or visit www.agescotland.org.uk/products Buying these products & services supports Age Scotland’s charitable work Age UK Home, Car and Travel Insurance are provided by Ageas Insurance Limited. Age UK Personal Alarms are provided by Aid-Call Limited. The Age UK Funeral Plan is offered by Advance Planning Limited. Personal Alarms are provided by Aid-Call Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for Consumer Credit. Financial Services Register number 707455. Age Scotland Enterprises Limited is a limited company. Registered in Scotland No.SC199856. Reigistered Office; Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH9 1PR. Age Scotland Enterprises Limited is a trading company of Age Scotland, registered charity no.SC010100 and donates its net profits to that charity. Age Scotland Enterprises Limited is an appointed representative of Age UK Enterprises Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance mediation. Financial Services Register number 311438. MP3168V4MAR16
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Call Silver Line Scotland on 0800 4 70 80 90
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Silver Line Scotland This year The Silver Line - the only free, national confidential helpline for older people - will receive its one millionth call since launching in November 2013. Around 100 of these calls each day come from people in Scotland. These are staggering figures and show the epidemic of loneliness that exists among older people in every street and community, across Scotland. Callers often tell us how their front door has become a barrier, rather than a gateway, and that they feel a stigma in admitting that they feel lonely. While many do have families, they say they don’t want ‘to bother’ busy sons or daughters with their problems. Others find themselves isolated by the stress of caring for a partner, or struggling to cope after a bereavement. Around 70% of calls to The Silver Line are made at night or weekends, when other services are closed, and 90% of our callers tell us they live alone. As one caller said: “I can’t call my children at two in the morning because I’m lonely and want to chat to someone.” But they can call The Silver Line helpline. The Silver Line is also working to combat this loneliness through our friendship schemes. But we urgently need more volunteers to help us cope with the growing demand for telephone friendship. If you
could you spare 30 minutes a week you can make a big difference to an older person through a regular telephone call. As volunteer Wilma says: “You build a real bond. If I can make a difference to somebody’s day, then that makes me happy - and a simple phone call can really make a difference.” Some callers also told us that they would like to be able to write letters to a friend and look forward, again, to envelopes dropping through their letterbox. While some older people with hearing impairments also find it challenging to use the telephone. That’s why we set up our newest service, called Silver Letters – a regular exchange of letters between a volunteer and an older person. People can write about their interests, hobbies, or anything else that they would discuss with a friend or family member. There is no cost to the older person or to our volunteers for any of our services. To find out more about donating your time as a volunteer telephone friend, or if you know someone who would benefit from the Silver Letters service, call 0800 4 70 80 90 or go to www.thesilverline.org.uk to find out more.
Call Silver Line Scotland on 0800 4 70 80 90
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Quality Matters
Our 2016 National Conference
On Wednesday 16th March invited guests and representatives from over 300 Age Scotland member groups came together for our 2016 National Conference. Attendees travelled from across Scotland to take part in the conference held at Perth Concert Hall. It was a fantastic day with much discussion about what we mean by quality of life in later life.
Morning Session: Care Homes, Creativity and Urban Planning Our conference chair, award-winning journalist Pennie Taylor, kicked off the day by posing two questions to the room: When is life good? When is it not so good? Answers ranged from thought-provoking to funny to poignant and it was clear that quality of life means different things to different people. We were then joined by our guest speakers. First es MacLeod: Information g Officer, Inn up we had : TraininCook, Facilitator at my Home Life sFiona e m a nJ Gwe Scotland discussing quality of life in care homes. L-R)
Fiona introduced My Home Life Scotland and its work to improve quality of life in care homes for those who live in, work in and visit care homes. We were then joined by Andrew Crummy, Community Artist and Designer of the Great Tapestry of Scotland. Andrew argued that regardless of age, everyone is creative and has something to say, and went on to describe how art can bring communities together and improve quality of life for everyone. Lastly Greg Lloyd, Emeritus Professor of Urban Planning, joined us from Ulster University. Professor Lloyd provided a fascinating overview of how urban planning and our environment can directly impact our quality of life. He went on to consider how we may be able to play a more active role in planning in the future to ensure a better quality of life in later life. Our speakers got the room thinking and we had many attendees posing further questions and ideas to the speakers and wider floor.
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10 Call Silver Line Scotland on 0800 4 70 80 90
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Afternoon Session: Workshops After some lunch and further opportunity to visit our information stalls, many attendees headed into one of our interactive workshops. We had five in total on a range of topics related to quality of life, including Men’s’ learning and well-being, spirituality and looking after you. You can see from the photos the varied experiences in each workshop. What was most important about the day was that it brought people together to have a really positive discussion about creating a Scotland where everyone can love later life. Our conference has become a fantastic focal point for how we can harness the power of our member groups to show how older people want Scotland to be and we look forward to being able to make even more of an impact next year, so we’ll see you there!
Our conference also featured the presentation of our 2016 award winners. To read more about these fantastic people, turn to page 18.
To give the most people the chance to be involved in the Age Scotland we broadcast it live on the internet. If you didn’t get a chance to either be there or watch the live stream, you can watch the videos of the conference by visiting http://bit.ly/AgeScotConf.
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Age Scotland community grants programme Thanks to the support of the Scottish Government, Age Scotland is delighted to provide a new grants programme for our member groups who are working to tackle loneliness and isolation amongst older people. ÂŁ75,000 of small grants will be available and awarded to Age Scotland member groups to assist with these activities in 2016/17. Age Scotland believes that every older person should have opportunities to make and maintain friends and connections so that they can keep healthy, well-balanced and enjoy life as much as possible. Age Scotland member groups provide a range of valuable services and activities to enable older people to be in contact with other people and take part in a host of activities which improve physical and mental health to ensure people enjoy later life. A great example of an Age Scotland member group who benefitted from a grant are the Bingham and District 50+ Project. The group received a grant to fund a seated gentle exercise class, which was held at the Jack Kane Community Centre in Niddrie, Edinburgh. The class activities, which assist with balance, sit / stand coordination, joint flexibility, muscle tone and body strength. The course also supports people who live alone, live with conditions and illnesses and who are isolated to improve confidence and self-esteem, to alleviate pain and improve positive mental health and well being. Most importantly of all, these courses are fun, and the opportunities to connect can change lives. So what would you do with an Age Scotland grant? To speak to a member of our communities team about the grants programme call 0333 323 2400 or email members@agescotland.org.uk.
12 To find out about donating regularly call 0800 833 0200
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Time for a wee ramble Wouldn’t it be great if there was an easy activity that would improve your physical and mental health, lower your risk factors in a range of illnesses, give you a chance to enjoy quality time with old friends and to make new ones, and that you could do throughout most of your life? Well, there is, and it’s as simple as going for a walk. Walking is an excellent all-round exercise. Almost everyone can do it, anywhere and at any time – and it’s free. You don’t need special clothing and it’s easy to fit into your daily routine. Older adults should aim to walk for around half an hour on most days of the week, but doing any exercise at all is better than nothing. If you’re unfit you can start slowly and build up gradually. There are real health benefits from being more active; it helps protect the body from many illnesses and conditions, such as heart disease, strokes and osteoarthiritis, and also helps to lift depression and improve mental health. But never mind all the health benefits, it’s also enjoyable. Walking helps you to collect your thoughts and appreciate the changing seasons as you walk throughout the year, and it’s also a sociable activity. Walking in a group helps reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation and increases social contact. It also means you may be more likely to turn out on a cold morning, and to keep up the activity over
time. Ramblers Scotland has 56 walking groups across Scotland, all with walk programmes led and organised by volunteers, and they often also include social events. Non-members are welcome to go on a few walks for free before deciding whether you’d like to join us. You can be sure of a warm welcome and a good chat with like-minded people. As Dot, one of our members in Dalgety Bay, says, “I joined the Ramblers when I first retired as I was looking for something to do. I never expected I would get so much pleasure out of walking with my group. As well as being much fitter now and making lots of friends, I’ve loved getting to visit Scotland’s fantastic countryside.” If you want to explore your local neighbourhood, our Medal Routes project has gathered over 600 short, circular routes of 15, 30 and 60 minutes – bronze, silver and gold medal routes – from Dumfries to Shetland, which help you to get out and about. They are all available from our website. We also have a routes database, Ramblers Routes, which has route suggestions across Scotland, with shorter walks free to download for non-members. For information on finding your local group, call 0131 472 7006 or email scotland@ramblers.org.uk. www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
Download factsheets: www.agescotland.org.uk/publications 13
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How will YOU VOTE in the EU referendum? It’s your choice! While Age Scotland is remaining impartial on the upcoming European Union referendum we are clear that both sides need to ensure older people are informed and listened to. As part of this, we asked both Britain Stronger In and Vote Leave campaigns to put forward their arguments. Here are their responses.
Professor Sir Harry Burns is a member of the Scotland Stronger In Europe Advisory Group. He is a former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, and is currently Professor of Global Public Health at the University of Strathclyde. He is also Chair of the University’s Centre for Health Policy. The facts show that the interests of older people and pensioners are best served by voting to stay in Europe. European Union law provides important guarantees for pensioners, ensuring that they are not discriminated against. State pension rights are recognised across EU countries, and Europe protects the value of a person’s private pension if it is transferred following a change in ownership of their employer. The economic damage caused by leaving the EU could reduce the value of people’s pension pots, lowering retirement incomes. In addition, being in Europe means that Scots can get access to healthcare and social services at no extra cost right across the EU. That benefits everyone, but particularly those who need care the most, who are very often older people. Our quality of life is better and horizons broader by keeping our place in the European Union. Of course
the EU isn’t perfect – but the gains of being in clearly outweigh the costs. In my own field of public health, for example, EU measures on air and water quality help us to improve the health of people in this country. The case to remain in Europe is positive and factbased, demonstrating the many gains of staying in. The Leave side put around a lot of inflated figures about costs, but for every £1 we put into the EU we get almost £10 back through increased investment, trade, jobs, growth and lower prices. Older people are concerned about the prospects for their children and grandchildren, and these are brighter if we vote to stay in Europe. The benefits of being in the EU touch all parts of Scottish society – rights for families such as maternity and paternity leave, protection for workers including paid holiday leave, a boost to business from guaranteed access to the single market, and educational opportunities for young people as well as freedoms for older people. Scotland Stronger in Europe believes that we are stronger, better off and safer as part of the European Union. Regardless of other political disagreements, most people in Scotland share the view that we should remain in the European Union. In the referendum, Scotland can make its voice heard – and possibly make the difference in achieving a UK-wide vote to stay. To vote to remain in Europe is to choose a stronger, safer, better off country that delivers security for older people and families, now and in the future.
14 Find our factsheets: www.agescotland.org.uk/publications
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Tom Harris Director of Scottish Vote Leave Up until quite recently, I had expected to vote Remain in the EU referendum on June 23. It wasn’t a positive choice: it was just that the EU wasn’t something I felt particularly strongly about, and why bother changing the arrangement we’ve had for more than 40 years? But then the Prime Minister told us about the “deal” he had reached with our EU partners: no increase in our power to limit immigration from the EU, no agreement that UK or Scots law would be more important than EU law, and benefits would still be paid to EU citizens living here – including Child Benefit sent to children that don’t even live here.
So much for the “fundamental renegotiation” of our relationship with the EU he had originally promised. So I’m going to ask you a slightly different question to the one you’ll be asked on polling day: if the UK were not already in the EU, would we want to join? The answer is certainly no. After all, look at Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. They are all dead set against EU membership, despite all the benefits the Remain campaign claims such membership gives us. One of those “benefits” is all the money the EU spends here in Scotland. Yet the amount of money we give the EU every year is far, far larger than the amount the EU spends here. That money is spent either on the EU’s vast bureaucracy or on capital projects in foreign towns and cities. At a time when our local services are being cut, don’t you think that money would be better spent here in Scotland? Before the EU referendum, we voted in the Scottish Parliament elections on May 5. Yet the laws that Holyrood passes will have to be approved by the EU first – if they conflict with EU law, then they can’t be implemented. So when the Scottish Government tried to implement a policy they had promised to deliver at the last election – minimum pricing of alcohol – the European courts told us they wouldn’t allow it. How is that fair? How is that democratic? Just remember that all the arguments against us leaving the EU were used to try to persuade us to scrap the pound and join the euro. Thank goodness we ignored their advice last time! They were wrong then, and they’re wrong now. Scotland and the UK will be better off outside the EU.
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Do you love later life?
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Photo: David Sadler
We do. At Age Scotland we want to support and inspire everyone in Scotland to make the most of later life. We support local groups and projects, which create places and activities that bring older people together. This, in turn, helps combat loneliness and isolation, and brings joy and a renewed sense of purpose into older people’s lives and support to others who need it most. We create vital, free information on a range of issues such as community care and benefits, to help older people make informed choices in their lives. We also provide opportunities for older people to challenge disadvantage and unfairness ensuring that their ideas for a better Scotland reach the ears of those who need to hear them.
If and when the time is right for you, and after you have taken care of your loved ones, please consider leaving a gift in your will to Age Scotland. Together we can help everyone love later life. Find out more at www.agescotland.org.uk. Age Scotland Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR Charity No: SC010100
However, almost half of our work would not be possible without the kindness of people remembering Age Scotland with gifts in their wills.
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Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Registration Number: 153343 Charity Number: SC010100. Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.
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Do you live in Aberdeen? Are you aged 65+? Do you like fun and laughter, meeting new people, trying new things and taking part in activities that help your health and wellbeing? If so, the Golden Games is for you! The Golden Games is Aberdeen’s free sports and activities festival for over 65’s, which is run in partnership with Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, Aberdeen City Council, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen Sports Village, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Robert Gordon University and University of Aberdeen. The games started as a two day festival in 2011 and has grown and become more popular each year. In 2011 we had 75 participants taking part and in 2015 we saw this increase to a staggering 425 participants! We’ve seen individuals coming from all walks of life who live in care homes, sheltered housing and those living independently within their community. The games aim to promote being active and living a healthy lifestyle whilst having fun at the same time. It’s a great way to keep active, enjoy yourself and make long lasting friendships.
This year, in 2016, the Golden Games will be held over 7 days from the 9th to the 17th of June. Each year the games host a variety of sports and activities which range from low level active reminiscence all the way to the thrill seeking abseiling and wall climbing…there’s something for everyone! This year we have included a variety of Dementia Friendly activities such as, swimming sessions, Health Walks, Walking Football and many more! The Golden Games offers tasters of activities that are ongoing throughout the year, so if you want to carry on enjoying the activities and staying active, then there’s plenty of choice. There are now significantly more active ageing events available on an on-going basis in the city, resulting in older people being more physically active, connected and increasing their general wellbeing. If you would like to attend this year’s Golden Games, pick up a brochure from Marischal College Reception, Sport Aberdeen venues, Aberdeen Sports Village and Aberdeen Health Village. Booking is essential and forms must be returned by Friday 27th May. For more information about the Golden Games please contact the Wellbeing Team on 01224 522270 or email wellbeing@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
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Age Scotland Awards honour Scotland’s champions of older people. This year’s Age Scotland Awards were held during the afternoon session of our National Conference. This not only gave the awards a bigger platform, but it also gave us a bigger audience to show of the incredible achievements of our winners!
ior Duns Sen
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The awards celebrate individuals and groups that are doing great work for older people in their local community. It was certainly a tough year for the judges, with many quality entries. As our Chief Executive Brian Sloan said, we would love to have given everyone an award, but there can only be one winner! ide Ltd Shopper-A
Member Group of the Year: Duns Senior Citizens Club Duns Senior Citizens Club have, for the past 50 years, been providing a brilliant opportunity for local older people to meet and feel more engaged with their community. Run by a team of fantastic volunteers, the club has a diverse programme that keeps their dedicated members entertained every week!
Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning & Influencing: Make it Happen Falkirk & District Forum (Sponsored by McCarthy & Stone) Make It Happen Falkirk & District Forum are a shining example of how a commited group of people can make a difference in their local communities. Along with tackling issues with local bus services they have also helped to make services accessible and have worked with other organisations around lifelong learning.
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Patrick Brooks Partnership Award: Care Home Go 4 Gold Steering Group Care Home Go 4 Gold is a great initiative that has helped to improve the health outcomes of care home residents in Perth. Although the main event, Care Home Go 4 Gold, only lasts one day, the impact is felt all year round with practicing in the lead-up to the event, and in the lasting friendships and connections made on the day.
Older People’s Employer of the Year: John Lewis plc John Lewis are leading the way in walking the walk when it comes to employing older people. Older staff feel truly valued and their experience is used to help support new and younger staff.
18 Visit www.agescotland.org.uk for information on member groups
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John Lew is
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Volunteer of the Year : Lynn Benge (Sponsored by Solicitors for Older People Scotland) This category is always difficult to judge, but Lynn’s amazing work and dedication shone through. She has been a leading light in a local community transport company, giving her time to drive people to the shops or events, helping them to lead independent lives.
Services for Older People of the Year: Shopper-Aide Ltd (Sponsored by Scottish Power Energy Networks) Founded to cover shopping duties, the service has developed to help with tasks around the house, community transport and a range of jobs that are helping people to lead more independent lives in their own homes instead of having to move to a care home or sheltered housing.
n Concer hill Age e e r t r u o B Broomlands &
Outstanding service to the community: Broomlands and Bourtreehill Age Concern Broomlands and Bourtreehill Age Concern have been supporting older people in their community for 40 years. To mark the occasion, we gave them an award to acknowledge their outstanding service to the community. Award-winning singer and songwriter Eddi Reader joined us to present the awards and rounded off the conference with a fantastic performance that had the whole concert hall singing along. All our award winners were interviewed for films shown at the award ceremony. You can see all the videos by visiting http://bit.ly/AgeScotAwards
19
Get Involved
Age Scotland’s Early Stage Dementia project started in 2015 with three year funding from the Life Changes Trust. It offers learning opportunities and information resources to improve public understanding of the condition, so that all of us can play a part in supporting people to live well with dementia.
Training to learn about early stage dementia Free dementia awareness training is now available to Age Scotland member groups. If you are a member group and would like to receive this, call the Early Stage Dementia team on 0333 3232400 or email ESDTeam@agescotland.org.uk. We have sessions arranged in most towns and cities across Scotland, and are also happy to visit groups to deliver it. It can be arranged to run for two, three or four hours to suit your group’s needs. If you are interested, but your group is not an Age Scotland member, please contact us. We plan to make the session more widely available in the near future to help increase dementia awareness in more local communities. The content of the dementia awareness session is informed by consultation events with our member groups across Scotland that we held last year. People told us they wanted to know more about how to identify the signs and symptoms of dementia, the
different forms of dementia, how to live well with dementia, and what member groups could do to be dementia friendly. The sessions address these questions. The dementia awareness session is being delivered to all Age Scotland staff and volunteers by Gwen James, our Early Stage Dementia Training Officer. So far feedback has been extremely positive, and we believe it has already contributed towards making Age Scotland better at supporting those with early stage dementia.
Meet our new team members As our training rolls out, the wider work of the project is also picking up pace. We have some new faces in the Early Stage Dementia Team. Richard Baker has joined as Early Stage Dementia Team Leader and Policy Officer. Richard is working on policy development in a number of areas, particularly with regard to the provision of post diagnostic support and co-ordinating the Charity’s response to the consultation on the Scottish Government’s new national dementia strategy. Anna Stevenson has taken up the role of the project’s Information and Advice Officer. Common themes from our consultations were that many people would like to know how they can reduce their risks of developing
20 Keep up to date on twitter: @agescotland
Get Involved
Gwen J ames d elive
ring Dem
entia Aw areness t
raining
The Early Stage D ementia team: (from left) Ric hard Baker, Anna Steve nthoney nson, Gwen James and Doug A
dementia, and that people would like to find out more about the support available both for those with a diagnosis, and for their friends and relatives. As a result of this feedback Anna is working on developing a number of information resources which will be available as publications and online.
Supporting dementia awareness in the workplace We have also identified a new area where additional support is required for people living with early stage dementia, and that is why Doug Anthoney has recently joined the team as Employment Dementia Awareness Training Officer. Through the project we have met older people who have lost their work following a diagnosis of dementia or even before they had been diagnosed. We want all workplaces in Scotland to be more dementia aware and better equipped to deal with the impact dementia can have on employees, carers and customers. Research into the impact of dementia in the workplace is at a comparatively early stage, but Scotland is at the forefront of a great deal of this research, with the University of the West of Scotland and Heriot Watt University conducting a major study for the Alzheimer Society. We want to learn from this
research and work with businesses, trade unions and policy makers to ensure that there is better support for employers in dealing with dementia. Through Doug’s work we will deliver dementia awareness training for workplaces ensuring employers and colleagues can identify the signs and symptoms of dementia. We will also seek to provide information for business on how to provide better support for customers who have dementia and promote better support for employees with dementia, employees with caring responsibilities, and help for employers in addressing these issues.
For more information If you would like more information about the wider aims of the Early Stage Dementia Project we would be happy to hear from you. We will consult with people with dementia and carers throughout the project on our work, and are also happy to hear from others who are interested in the project or wish to know more about it or the training we provide. Our email is ESDTeam@agescotland.org.uk or you can call 0333 3232400 and ask to speak to the Early Stage Dementia Team.
www.facebook.com/agescotland 21
Get Involved
Fundraising
Dunedin wind band in full swing | Stacey and Jessica at the Du
Team Update Dunedin Wind Band Event As part of our Sing for Spring appeal we would like to say a massive thank you to the Dunedin Wind Band who hosted a Spring concert in support of Age Scotland. The concert took place at Stockbridge Parish Church with music from the Dunedin Wind Band and Vocal Edge Choir, all compered by our very own Chief Executive Brian Sloan. Over 100 people attended and thoroughly enjoyed the exceptional music including movie song favourites from ‘The Muppets’ ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. The evening ended with coffee and refreshments prepared by the band members giving everyone a chance to mingle. A huge thank you to the band and everyone who came along on the night!!
Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon We are delighted to have a number of guaranteed spaces in this scenic marathon, two of which have already been filled by our brave supporters Angela Reid (pictured above) and Andrew Holmes.
nedin Wind
Band e
Both Angela and Andrew have the pleasure of scenic training runs with Angela on the West Coast and Andrew in the Scottish Highlands. Angela’s enthusiasm is also inspiring others in her local community. Once she had improved her own fitness she knew it was something she wanted to get the community involved in, and in particular older people. She went on to complete the Jog Scotland training and has started a local jogging group in her area, the Knee High Joggers. Angela knows first-hand the benefits of running and keeping fit, and is keen to promote this where she can. She believes that it is never too late to start your fitness regime and this is one of the reasons she has chosen to support Age Scotland. Andrew is a member of the Cairngorm Running club, training on the spectacular routes around his home town of Kingussie. A seasoned marathon runner, the Loch Ness has been on Andrew’s wish list for a while. He is delighted to be able to take on this challenge and support the charity. Whether you’re an experienced runner or a first time marathon runner looking for the ideal challenge, there are great marathons around the world and the Loch Ness ranks right alongside them. So get in touch to reserve a place today!
22 Check out www.youtube.com/user/AgeScotland
Get Involved
event | Ma ratho
n runner A ngela | The
Age Scotland lunteers Golf Day is coming soon! | Charlotte – one of our new vo
Fundraising Volunteers
Upcoming: Charity Golf Day
We are delighted to welcome four new fundraising volunteers: Tommy, Jessica, Josselyn and Charlotte. Since joining us they have loved getting involved and are looking forward to events this year.
Join Age Scotland on the 31st August at Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club for a fun day of golf. Enjoy 18 holes on Dalmahoy’s Championship West Course and much more! There will be prize presentations, competition and challenge holes, all followed by a delicious evening meal and charity auction.
In December 2015 Tommy decided last minute to do a Christmas wrapping day in Braehead Shopping Centre to support Age Scotland before coming on board fully as a volunteer. He has since helped out at a recent event and is excited to work on more. Charlotte joined Age Scotland through links with her employer, the Residence Inn by Marriott, and encouraged them to support us through various fundraising challenges and events. Having volunteered in Canada where she grew up, and with a particular interest in supporting older people in Scotland, Charlotte decided to become an events volunteer to support Age Scotland and make a difference. Jessica and Josselyn are both events students at Queen Margaret University looking to gain hands on event and fundraising experience while continuing their studies. Jessica can be seen pictured above at a recent concert in support of the charity. We can’t thank our fundraising volunteers enough for their support!
Teams of 4 cost £400 / individual spaces are £100.
Upcoming: Silver Shindig We’re delighted to present The Silver Shindig again!! The ideal opportunity for a glamorous night out while supporting the charity, join us at the iconic Hub on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile on Friday 11th November 2016. Guests will receive the full red carpet treatment, or in this case, the Silver carpet! Enjoy a champagne reception, four-course fine dining experience, twenty’s plenty raffle and silent and main auctions. All of this followed by live music from one of Scotland’s premier live bands Corra – it will be an exceptional night! Tickets are £84 per person or £800 for a table of 10. It’s sure to be a night to remember. For information on any of these events or ways to get involved contact the fundraising team on 0333 323 2400 or fundraising@agescotland.org.uk.
23
going local
cal Society inloch Histori K r o f e t t undere New la
On the road to Benbecu la
A trip to the Western Isles In February, Ciaran McDonald (Policy) and Charlie Murphy (Community Development) toured the Western Isles - Ciaran reflects on their trip. Arriving in Stornoway by air is a unique experience. Within an hour of leaving Glasgow behind, you feel the snap change in the air as you depart the aircraft and step into island life. This was no relaxing holiday though, with a packed schedule ahead of meetings with member groups and local representatives. Our first stop was Kinloch Historical Society which have recently opened a launderette thanks to an Age Scotland grant. There we learnt how the community were putting the building to good use including a museum and cafĂŠ, along with the launderette. Next was Tighean Innse Gall (TIG), an energetic organisation that works to improve housing conditions and opportunities for people in the islands. I was particularly keen to learn how they work with older householders and how they are tackling fuel poverty by recognising the importance of good quality housing for vulnerable groups. Our next task was to host the Lewis network meeting with 35 people turning out to hear about how Age Scotland can work with member groups. Following this event we covered a whistle stop tour visiting a variety of groups including Clann an Latha an De in Shawbost, Airidhantuim Young at Heart
Club in Borve, the Carloway Sunshiners Club and Pairc Social Club. It was a pleasure to sit and chat with our hosts as they shared fascinating stories about life on Lewis. We were inspired by the variety of activities that these groups do as well as the generosity of those we met. Stornoway to Benbecula was the second leg of our trip where we were met by Alison MacDonald of NHS Western Isles who talked about working with the 1300 people who live across an area of 30 square miles. While Alison and Charlie discussed promoting healthy lifestyles to older people, I met Katie Walker of the Hebridean Housing Partnership, who gave me a comprehensive insight into the complex challenges of housing a rural population. We were particularly struck by the close ties that exist between the different organisations that provide support and assistance to people across the Western Isles. On our final day we met Sonja who runs a befriending project and we hosted a mini-network meeting to discuss the advantages and challenges of life for older people in North Uist and Benbecula. Many thanks to everyone we met for their warm Hebridean hospitality! Certainly there are challenges ahead for providing support to a growing ageing population on the islands. However, it was wonderful to see at first hand the range of groups and organisations that exist to help everyone love later life.
24 For news and views visit www.agescotland.wordpress.com
going local
Lewis ne twork me eting
| Heather B aillie address es a
network meeting in Dum
fries
Networking News from around Scotland In February, members of the new National Community Development team arranged a series of Winter Warmer Network meetings with Age Scotland member groups in the North of Scotland. As well as distributing our new Winter Warmer Information Toolkit and details of the SSE Power Loss Priority Services programme, the networks were an opportunity for members in the North of Scotland to meet with some of the Community Development team, to share news and catch up on some of Age Scotland’s current work. We were delighted that Home Energy Scotland was able to participate in some of the events too, providing information to members on the services available to people to alleviate Fuel Poverty. February’s network meetings in Aberdeen, Forres, Inverness and Inverurie saw 75 members take part. As well as a useful space for networking, the meetings also provided an opportunity for planning. The news, issues and questions raised have been very helpful to Age Scotland’s Community Development team as we get to know members, plan further meetings and target and organise our work across Scotland to ensure that it best meets the needs of our members. Following our National Conference, held in Perth just before Easter, our programme of local network meetings has travelled South. In April, 28 Age Scotland members from across Dumfries & Galloway gathered at the Usual Place in Dumfries for a packed programme which included an
update on Age Scotland’s work and interesting presentations on Energy Advice by Home Energy Scotland and Protecting Ourselves from Scams and E-Crime presented by our Age Scotland Regional Ambassador, Iain Howie. Visibility was present to give advice. During the day, members assisted Ciaran McDonald from the Age Scotland Policy Team, who is carrying out a consultation on housing for the Scottish Government and is seeking views on improvements that could be made. The day concluded with a training session by Gwen James of Age Scotland’s Early Stage Dementia Team. The awareness training included helpful communication hints and tips for people affected by Dementia. “A great day with lots of information, will pass all I’ve learned today onto my group.” Dumfries Member Later this Spring there will also be network meetings of member groups in Ayrshire, Glasgow and the West of Scotland, the Scottish Borders and in June we are back in the North for the Ross-shire, Caithness, Sutherland events.
Get in touch with Age Scotland’s Community Development Team:
Tel: 0333 323 2400 Email: Members@agescotland.org.uk
25
Get Involved
Robert Cuthill
Fort William Men’s Shed had their open day on Saturday 2nd of April. In a couple of hours, well over 50 people walked through the doors Men’s Shed Development Officer with every visitor impressed (and every shedder proud). for the West coast, Ian McVicar, The venue looked completely brings us news of two sheds at different from six months different stages of development. previously, now boasting a Over the course of two spring days, multitude of tools and machinery I was fortunate enough to visit two as well as a fitted kitchen. Among very different Sheds, Dunoon and Fort the gear was Robert Cuthill and the William. Really, what distinguished them frame of a motorbike he was repairing. IAN was not location, nor personnel, but time Sergeant Major Cuthill (retired) was essentially two years. The Dunoon crowd were stripping two broken bikes to make one meeting up in a hotel; a group of approximately serviceable one, “It’s what I do” he nonchalantly 30 men, with the able support of Third Sector answered when I asked whether it was difficult, Interface development worker Samantha Stubbs. “I’ve done it many times before”. Robert, who is ably The Dunoon Shed was now a constituted group, assisted by two ‘apprentices’, attends the shed with office bearers and a desire to get “working” regularly and loves it. The bike he is building isn’t just as soon as they could. Members were using cobbled together, it’s his trade and he takes pride in local knowledge to secure a suitable venue and it. The frame is to be sand blasted, rubbed down and continuing to raise awareness. Sam was busy painted, the engine completely stripped and organising local radio interviews, supporting the rebuilt. Robert was just typical of the guys I met shedders with her expertise and keeping the guys there, more than happy to chat and share knowledge. focussed. I was fascinated, once again, by the Bruce James, another ex-serviceman (and now breadth of expertise and knowledge in the room; apprentice motorbike mechanic), just happens to be a Sam had completed a skills assessment and these trained mountain leader. His offer to take groups from guys could build anything from cars to houses. The other areas was another example of the camaraderie age range of the Dunoon shedders spanned 60 and social networks established in, and between, sheds. years and several generations. They were starting Both sheds are shining examples of what can be a journey that the Fort William team were to achieved with hard work, motivation, support and vision. complete three days later.
26 Check out www.youtube.com/user/AgeScotland
Get Involved
Men’s Le arning a nd Wellbeing W orkshop | The Inv erness She d with their
Tim Green, our Men’s Shed Community Development Officer for the East of Scotland writes to illustrate the range of work going on at sheds over Scotland: Shedder’s in Dyce, Fochabers, Inverurie, Strathpeffer, Portlethen and Ellon are working on their premises.
With new sheds popping up all over the country, isn’t it time you got down to your nearest shed to find out what they’re up to? And if there’s not a shed nearby then why not start one? For more information, get in touch with Ian or Tim.
In Westhill, Aberdeenshire, shedders are currently working on mud kitchens, benches, furniture restoration, wheelchair friendly raised planters and lawnmower repairs. They are also considering opening over Christmas and Hogmanay because of demand!
A Men’s Learning and Well-being Workshop was one of the highlights of the Age Scotland National Conference in March. Thanks to members of the Carse of Gowrie & District and Barrhead Men’s Sheds for their informative and highly entertaining contributions. They brought along items created in their sheds and talked about how their sheds work and their impact on members in terms of breaking down social isolation and promoting health and well-being.
The Alford Shed is negotiating to save from demolition the old technical block of Alford Academy. The plan is to have a community orchard, garden and around 20 allotment plots with supporting car parking and a high level of accessibility. The Inverness Shed are making red squirrel feeding stations and boxes for Trees for Life and nesting burrowing boxes for Leach’s Storm-Petrels on St Kilda.
TIM
Lybster in the Highlands have just taken delivery of ten speed lathe and wood turning tools and two poly tunnels. They are working on recycling and reuse projects including composters from pallets. Shedders in Beauly have a range of projects helping to keep Beauly looking beautiful. A range of planters are being produced as well as an Adirondack companion seat as well as carrying out furniture renovation for a local care home.
Petrel nests
To contact our Men’s Sheds Development Officers:
Tim Green: Tim.Green@agescotland.org.uk / 07718 579 291 / 01383 882 151 Ian McVicar: Ian.McVicar@agescotland.org.uk / 07808 024 801 / 01586 820 087
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Clubs’ Corner
k meeting g a networ n i s s e r d d owie a Iain H
Age Scotland Regional Ambassadors across Scotland continue to do a fantastic job building contacts between Age Scotland and members, representing the Charity, helping our member groups in a variety of ways.
Jeanette Pieper of the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum and East Kilbride Seniors’ Forum took up the role of Regional Ambassador in South Lanarkshire. Jeanette recently represented Age Scotland at a consultation by First Bus on the new Thistle Assistance Card which will hopefully encourage more older people to use public transport in the Strathclyde area.
Welcome to Jeanette Pie per
Graham Reece has been representing Age Scotland to a number of groups in Clackmannanshire. With a background in Men’s Sheds, Graham has also been helping the Community Development team to assist sheds getting off the ground and recently met with members of the new shed in South Queensferry. In the Scottish Borders, Diana Findlay has been working with local organisations to set up the Scottish Borders Seniors Networking Forum. The aim is to reflect and represent the views and concerns of Older People, giving them a voice whilst working in partnership with statutory and third sector organisations.
In Ayrshire Donald Reid has been assisting Broomlands and Bourtreehill Age Concern volunteers with their Heritage Lottery Fund project to research and celebrate the story of their group. The result is a fascinating book, Forty Years of Broomlands and Bourtreehill Age Concern - A Journey Down Memory Lane, which will be published in June.
In the North East of Scotland Malcolm Wetherill has been working with the Community Food Initiative North East which distributes an average of 2,000 food parcels per month. Research shows that older people tend not to use foodbanks and Malcolm is working with local organisations to find ways to identify those in need and to distribute the parcels discreetly.
In Dumfries and Galloway Iain Howie has been busy organising two meetings: An Afore Ye Go event in April and a Death Café. The Afore Ye Go’ event in association with local solicitors includes presentations on Power of Attorney, Advanced Directives, and Wills. Iain explains: “A Death Café aims to tackle the taboos surrounding death and dying. It’s a discussion group with the agenda set by the people who take part, those taking part found it very beneficial”.
Finally, a warm welcome to Pauline Fraser of the Dundee Pensioners Forum and the Unite Retired Members Dundee Branch and Jean Taylor, Chair of NHS Retirement Fellowship, Glasgow Branch. They have just been appointed Age Scotland Regional Ambassadors in Dundee and Glasgow respectively. Age Scotland is currently inviting nominations for Regional Ambassadors in Argyll & Bute, Highland, Edinburgh and the Lothians. For an informal discussion please contact Elizabeth Bryan on 0333 323 2400.
28 Join us on www.facebook.com/agescotland
soap box
ell his Sloan to t Jim met with Brian
story
Living active! Age Scotland Chief Executive Brian Sloan, met with Jim Ferguson, who got in touch to promote how his life has changed thanks to getting active. Jim is a former local councillor who volunteers with a number of groups affiliated with Age Scotland and has given regular, valued help to our Community Development team. Jim was referred to a physiotherapist by his GP after being diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. When he was a young boy he had contracted pneumonia and this left an infection in his lungs. As he turned 30 medics removed lobes within his lungs and now, at 75, he is living with the long term consequences of this. After a few weeks of physio, Jim was asked if he’d like to be ‘prescribed’ a regular exercise class that would give him the support he needed to help his breathing moving forward. Jim jumped at the chance and was referred to Live Active Leisure in Perth. Jim began his regular Referral Classes and a simple 12 week programme followed that is designed to help inactive adults with any of the following: depression or other mental health issues, weight problems, high blood pressure, muscular / skeletal conditions, neurological conditions and pulmonary conditions - including COPD, like Jim.
“I was sent to Live Active Letham and started the classes with young Marcin – he’s a great guy! I really did get a lot of encouragement and I feel I was pushed just a little bit more every time. It was a huge benefit being part of a class that worked to my level but that was small enough for us all to get the attention we needed to move us on. “When you can’t breathe you’re restricted in lots of things; it’s that simple. As you get older you have less physical strength and finding a way to start things off at a suitable ability level and work from there is a great thing. It’s made a huge difference to my quality of life and that means it’s also a very good thing for my mental health. “I’m passionate that people keep mobile and as fit as they can at all ages. It’s about mind and body – you have to keep it all going!” If Jim’s story has inspired you then why not have a read of our features on Walking Football (pg 5) or Men’s Sheds (pg 26). Alternatively, if you want to know more about get fit options in your area, call Silver Line Scotland on 0800 4 70 80 90. If you live in Perth and want to get active, visit www.liveactive.co.uk.
Call Silver Line Scotland on 0800 4 70 80 90 29
interview
Introducing Age Scotland Orkney In March at our National Conference, Age Scotland announced our first ever brand partner, Age Scotland Orkney, formerly Age Concern Orkney. Brand partnership is an exciting opportunity that gives Age Scotland the benefit of a direct link to Orkney’s older people, and in reverse, it gives older people on the islands a voice on the national stage through our networks. We sat down with their Managing Director, Gillian Skuse, to talk about what being a brand partner meant to her and how it will benefit older people in Orkney. Originally from Glasgow, Gillian was a business advisor and farmed beef cattle in Devon with her husband John and two grown up daughters Emily and Rosalind. In 2008, they moved to Eday, one of the outer north isles with a population around 140, around 75 minutes on a ferry from the Orkney mainland. She has worked for Age Concern Orkney since January 2015 and now lives in Kirkwall during the week, heading back out to Eday at weekends. She has also been a Non-Executive Director for NHS Orkney for the last 3 years at what is a very exciting time, with lots of new projects in the pipeline, including a new hospital in the planning. For people not well-acquainted with Orkney, what are the main issues affecting older people living in Orkney and what can the local community, groups like Age Scotland, the council and the Scottish Government do to make Orkney a place where all older people can love later life?
Gillian with Brian Sloan after the part nership was
announced
at the Ag
Orkney comprises approximately 70 islands, 13 of which are inhabited. Due to the geography of our area everyone who lives here is naturally isolated as transport is essential to carry out daily activities and this can prove very challenging. From our own records we are aware that the majority of older people live alone or with an elderly carer, and many of these live in relatively isolated areas. Working locally, I am a member of the Positive Ageing Group, a delivery group of the Orkney Community Planning Partnership. We are tasked with developing age friendly communities which create opportunities for older people to live active fulfilling lives. This work is undertaken in partnership with Orkney Islands Council, NHS Orkney, Fire, Police, Third Sector representation and others involved in providing services in our community. The changes by the Scottish Government for Health & Social Care directly affects what happens in all communities in Scotland. I see Age Scotland lobbying and influencing the government to make sure we have changes that can be managed and measured to positively affect the lives of older people. By Age Concern Orkney now joining forces with Age Scotland we become part of the process rather than being outside it.
30 FUNdraise for Age Scotland: call 0333 323 2400
interview
ge Scotla n
d confer ence | Ag e Sc
otland Orkne y staff have taken part
| Gillian w in our Dementia Awareness Training
What services does Age Concern Orkney provide? A lot has changed with the charity in the year since I started, including moving into new premises. This move has allowed us to offer more services and be in a position to involve our staff more in the direction of the charity. We currently have 16 staff working for us but I anticipate this number growing. Not only do we act as a hub for information for all older people in Orkney, we have four different services that we offer: Here2Help, a home help service, Home Aid, - garden service, Good Morning Calls and, most recently, a foot care clinic working in collaboration with the local NHS podiatry staff. People benefit by accessing services early; we try to promote getting help early. Flexibility and person centred support are why we can meet such varied needs across a dispersed population. We manage this by offering a range of services, easy access, a mixed team of volunteers and staff and partnership working. This is a time of change in health and social care and never more so do we need to ensure that this independent charity is ready to make those changes in order to deliver what people need to remain living in their own homes for as long as they wish.
ith team
ll kwa n Kir i s r e memb
Age Scotland Orkney is Age Scotland’s first local brand partner. How did this come about and how do you think it will benefit older people in Orkney? Orkney has a higher than average percentage population of older people in Scotland, with the number of over 75s projected to increase 116% by 2037. I realised very quickly that in order for Age Concern to be an organisation that not only delivered practical help but was also able to feed into the national agendas, we needed to link in with our national body. This would not only allow us to work together in areas such as policy and campaigning, but bring many other benefits that will be created by more involvement in all aspects and areas that affect people as they age. How do you see the relationship developing? This is a landmark event for us; it means that an ‘island voice’ will now be part of the national Age Scotland process. With the introduction of Integrated Joint Health & Social Care Boards, innovative ways of working need to be found, so organisations like Age Concern Orkney and the Third Sector will have to adapt and change in order to provide those services. I see Age Scotland helping to support us and provide information to help influence our direction. In time, and as our partnership matures, I am sure we will develop a closer working relationship in many areas.
31
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