Advantage issue 49

Advantage

Age Scotland’s magazine: summer 2017, issue 49

THE SHED EFFECT

Shedders in their own words p18 Lifelong Learning conference p12 A helpline a lifeline p22

WILLS • POWERS OF ATTORNEY • LIVING WILLS • GUARDIANSHIPS AFTER A DEATH • TRUSTS • EQUITY RELEASE • LEGAL AID

looking after generations We’re dedicated to providing legal services for the elderly and vulnerable, with Legal Aid where possible, so that they and their families are prepared for the future by having their legal affairs in order.

CALL 0800 152 2037

www.solicitorsforolderpeoplescotland.co.uk All our members are regulated by The Law Society of Scotland

foreword

Contents P4 News P8

Age Scotland Enterprise

P10

General Election

P12

Lifelong Learning

P16

Get Involved

p18

Men’s Sheds

P20

Going Local

P22

How can you help Age Scotland?

Advantage is the Age Scotland magazine that provides information, inspiration and ideas to empower Scotland’s older people, their friends, families and carers.

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.

Email:

advantage@agescotland.org.uk

Telephone: 0333 323 2400 Write to:

Advantage, Age Scotland Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR

ISSN 1747-4515 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, or for the content of any third party advertisements.

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.

rden and Meeting artist James Wa

nce nfere o c r u e at o his wif

Hello, It is an absolute privilege to welcome you to this edition as Chief Executive of Age Scotland. While Brian Sloan continues to have overall responsibility for the organisation he will be concentrating on the development of commercial opportunities for Age Scotland. Brian is a tough act to follow but I am relishing the challenge!

In this edition, we bring you news of inspiring older people, one of whom is the amazing James Warden who I’m pictured above meeting. You can read about his achievements and that of our award winners along with news of our national conference on pages 12 to 15. We also bring news of our research in to Men’s Sheds and how they are having hugely positive impact on the lives of older men on page 18.

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, you can 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

Keith Robson

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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 2017.

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 d got involved with Let’s Get Moving! r Scotlan e v o l l le a Peop

• Arts projects bringing together the generations, giving older and younger people the chance to take part as equal partners

We got moving!

• Special offers for older people, for example theatre ticket deals including the chance to meet and have a cup of tea together afterwards

We are over the moon with the success of our Let’s Get Moving! campaign and the associated Coastline Challenge. We tasked Age Scotland supporters from across the country to get moving and to donate your miles to a grand total. Whether walking, running, dancing, swimming, climbing or cycling, it all added to the total. We were hoping that the total of these miles would equal the distance of mainland Scotland’s coastline - 6,160 miles.

However, we were wrong in what we thought the final total would be. The total number of miles wasn’t equivalent to once round Scotland but over three and half times round the coastline – that’s over 22,000 miles collectively walked!

So a huge thank you to everyone who took part, and whatever way you chose to get moving – well done!

You’ve taken great steps to improving your health and well being, so whatever you did for the coastline challenge, keep it up!

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Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400

• 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 30th June if you want to be included in the brochure, and 4th August for inclusion on the website only.

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Money Matters!

Age Scotland has funding from the Money Advice Service for a new project: until February 2018 we are offering Age Scotland member groups a choice of Money Matters roadshows.

We have four new people in the team: Jessica Shields our Evaluation officer, Fiona Scott our Project assistant, Cheryl Fowler who will be delivering most of our roadshows and Sam Longden who will support helpline advisers and improve our information about money matters.

We can deliver roadshows on a choice of subjects: • Benefit entitlements – did you know that 1/3 of people who are entitled don’t claim Pension Credit? Could you be missing out? Do you know how many ways there are to get help with your council tax bill? Might you be entitled to Attendance Allowance?

• Care costs and funding – what does care cost? If you qualify for free personal and nursing care what is actually free? Is it true that most people have to sell their house?

• Power of Attorney – what types are there? How do you choose your attorney? What are your responsibilities if you are an attorney and where can you get advice?

• Wills and funeral costs – why should you write a will? Do you know what a funeral costs? How much help is available from the government? How can you save money on costs?

• Planning for and managing financial changes – does your group support people who face particular challenges with money because of caring responsibilities, health issues or bereavement? We can look at how best you can manage financial issues which affect you, and learn from you too.

The aim of the project is to find out “what works”.

So we will be working with you to find out what you know before and after roadshows, seeing how many people make follow-up calls to our helpline and, if you agree, contacting you afterwards to find out if you did take steps to claim a benefit, take out a Power of Attorney or plan for funeral costs. We really need the feedback about what worked and what didn’t work, and we will adapt our roadshows and information in response to what we learn from you.

We are looking for some groups to help us to develop our training and information, and we will also be asking professionals who work with older people what money issues they are raising, what they know about money concerns for older people and what would support them to guide older people to find advice and help.

For more information or to book a roadshow call the Age Scotland switchboard on 0333 323 2400 or email the team at moneymatters@agescotland.org.uk.

After the roadshows, people can call the Age Scotland helpline, 0800 12 44 222 for a confidential conversation with an adviser.

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Do you Love Later Life?

We do. At Age Scotland we want everyone to Love Later Life and we do all that we can to help achieve this.

We help 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.

Later life can bring times when you need someone to listen and Age Scotland’s helpline provides free information, friendship and advice through a confidential Freephone number for older people, their carers and families.

However, almost half of our work would not be possible without people remembering Age Scotland in their wills. After you have taken care of your loved ones, please consider leaving a gift in your will to Age Scotland if you can. Find out more about us at: www.agescotland.org.uk Age Scotland Department LST Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR Charity No: SC010100

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.

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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Source: Edition: Country: Date: Page: Area: Circulation: Ad data: Phone: Keyword:

Herald, The (Glasgow)

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news

UK Saturday 22, April 2017 1,2 416 sq. cm ABC 28872 Daily scc rate £26.50 page rate £11,286.00, 0141 302 7000

Age Scotland

care Charity warns elderly ose being delayed on purp used of Cash-strapped councils acc usands tho to nts me pay up g holdin

EXCLUSIVE

been told “Some people have nal care directly that the free perso e cannot be they’re entitled to receiv council has paid to them because the .” people are simply run out of money THOUSANDS of older personal paid-for ut Some arrange their ownt because being left stranded witho d councils care and end up out of pocke but most care because cash-strappe money, ated, backd not save to are ent nts treatm payme are delaying and instead option this d. afford t canno a charity has claime fied by Age s to get by, In the worst case identi rely on family and friend forced to Scotland, a pensioner was their care Age Scotland claims. for al and nursing care has wait almost two years person Free ment. of successive following an initial assess been a flagship policy igation providing The charity claims its invest with Scottish Governments, assessed issue, been lays bare the scale of the ing nursing older people, who have as bathing, such es 4,000 elderly people requir g longer servic ng as needi nursing and ng dressi and other personal care waitin and washing ents, while rt. than six weeks for treatm several care with financial suppo eligibility take in some areas it can According to national e care receiv s. should month rules, older people there have s of being Over the last three years, services within six week ed from 25 cases where been more than 8,600 assessed, but replies receiv one in 20 more or weeks six d people have waited local authorities showe for their wait, which for arrangements to be madenational applicants faces a longer of people across care – all in breach equates to around 3,940 guidelines. nd.

Scotla record to d thian and Councils are not oblige although Applicants in both Midlo sevenred, ed why delays have occur individual Aberdeenshire have suffer , while Abersome told the charity that to longer and-a-half month delays admitted that also il circumstances may lead financial Counc hire deens n had perso older an waits . Staff short ages, adapt ing case in one s than 18 const raints and delay cited for waited 575 days, or more people’s homes were also months, for care. ed times. g report ils waitin counc ged of prolon Three-quarters policy weeks in at But Age Scotland’s seniors local delays of more than six insist officer Derek Young g least one case. makin rately time e delibe authorities are The survey shows the averag d-ats are under is two-an people wait because budge to conduct an assessment intense pressure. half weeks. main way Age Scot“Delays appear to be the In a report into the crisis, the ge mana ne had been inunin which councils try to helpli its said land the rces and to care. limits on their resou dated with calls about delays said. continuing demand,” he STEPHEN NAYSMITH

SPONDENT SOCIAL AFFAIRS CORRE

Meeting our commitment to care?

As part of our campaign to highlight older people’s issues in the recent local government election campaign, the Age Scotland policy team undertook some research in to how Free Personal Nursing Care assessments and payments are being made across Scotland. The research made headlines across Scotland and brought the issue to the fore during the campaign.

Free Personal Nursing Care is available for everyone aged over 65 in Scotland who have been assessed by the local authority as needing it. Free personal care includes: • Help with washing yourself.

• Assistance in managing continence.

• Help with eating, managing and preparing a specialist diet.

• Assistance to move around indoors.

• Help with simple medical treatments.

Through our helpline, we’ve been receiving a number of calls from people complaining about their own care, or that of a friend or relative. The main concerns people had were either how long it had taken to be assessed for care, or how long it had taken for payments to be arranged. Both of these issues can be hugely debilitating for the person who is in need of care and can put a huge strain on partners or family members that are having to look after someone.

To research the issue we firstly asked all local authorities a freedom of information request about their provision of care. The results of the questions about time waited for care assessment were mixed – one council took an average of 0.3 days per assessment whereas another took 84 days.

copyright owner. No further ial Times/ft.com) or other (magazines), FT (Financ from the copyright NLA (newspapers), CLA d except under licence a under licence from the g of the cutting is permitte Article Page 1 of 3 Reproduced by Gorkan reproduction/forwardin of digital cuttings), digital printing ng (includi Ltd. copying al Times is copyright The Financi owner. All FT content 02

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Our research also showed that although there is supposed to be a maximum six week waiting period for the provision of care services where an assessment has been completed almost 4000 people are waiting longer than this.

So why does this matter?

Social care is not just an issue of diginity in old age, it’s also one of common sense. If you are in need of care in your own home and made to wait for it, then chances are that any medical conditions you currently face will worsen and you will need more acute care which is more expensive.

So what can you do?

Get in touch with us. This issue has only been brought to light by people making their voices heard and kicking up a fuss. We want to hear from more people who are facing issues with Free Personal Nursing Care to give us a better understanding of how and where problems are arising. So if you know of someone who is struggling with this issue then call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222.

It’s free to call, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

So don’t suffer in silence – call us.

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Products and services designed for the over 50s • Home Insurance • Travel Insurance

• Car Insurance • Weekly Lottery

• Motor Breakdown • Funeral Plans

Buying these Products & Services supports Age Scotland’s charitable work.

For more information, visit: Age Scotland – Edinburgh Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR

Age Scotland – Glasgow 37 Glassford Street Glasgow G1 1UG

(Open 9am–5pm Monday–Friday)

(Open 9am–5pm Monday–Friday)

Tel: 0800 456 1137*

Tel: 0800 500 3159*

or visit www.agescotland.org.uk/products Age UK Home, Car and Travel Insurance are administered by Ageas Retail Limited. Motor Breakdown is provided by Intana Assistance. Age UK Funeral Plans are provided by Dignity. Brought to you by Age UK Enterprises Limited.

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Age UK Insurance is arranged by Age UK Enterprises Limited and arranged and administered by Ageas Retail Limited, who are both authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Ageas Retail Limited is a sister company of Ageas Insurance Limited.

Ageas Retail Limited Registered office: Ageas House, Hampshire Corporate Park, Templars Way, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 3YA. Registered in England and Wales 1324965. FS registered number: 312468.

Age UK Enterprises Limited Registered office: Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA. Registered in England and Wales 3156159. FS registered number: 311438. *If you call the 0800 number for Home/Car/Travel Insurance you will be dealing with either an Age UK/Age Scotland office or Ageas Retail Limited.

Benefits and services under the motor breakdown policy are provided by Intana Assistance, a trading style of Collinson Insurance Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FS registered number 311883.

The Age UK Funeral Plan is provided by Advance Planning Limited, a subsidiary of Dignity plc, in association with Age UK Enterprises Limited. Advance Planning Limited is a company incorporated in England and a subsidiary of Dignity plc. Registered office: Advance Planning Limited, 4 King Edwards Court, King Edwards Square, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B73 6AP. Registered in England, no. 3292336.

Age Scotland Enterprises Limited is a limited company. Registered in Scotland No.SC199856. Registered 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 profi ts 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.

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Update from our Early Stage Dementia team Age Scotland has been taking its message across Scotland about what local communities can do to support people with dementia through the work of our Early Stage Dementia project. The project is a three year initiative supported by the Life Changes Trust. Now entering its third year, the project has developed new information and advice publications. These raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of dementia, and are designed to help people who have received a diagnosis to live well with the condition. We have just published a new guide ‘Living well with early stage dementia’ and other publications on issues like support for carers and benefits advice. Please get in touch for copies of our guides, or you can also find out more on our web pages www.agescotland.org.uk/ earlystagedementia.

The team has also taken its message to decision - makers that support services for people with dementia need to be improved. New post diagnostic support services are welcome but are not yet available to all those who have been newly diagnosed. This is an issue the team highlighted in a ash scotland presentation on the work of the project to the Cross Party Group on Older People and Ageing in Holyrood.

Over a thousand people have now received our dementia awareness training, which has been extremely well received. If your group would like to receive our training, which is free, please get in touch.

Dementia is a serious topic, but that doesn’t mean learning about it can’t be fun. In fact learning that’s enjoyable it’s more likely to be remembered. That’s why we’ve designed our dementia aware workshops so that everyone can join in, and have fun. Our workshops typically last 90 minutes. Given a little more time we can explore dementia in greater depth.

If less time is available that’s okay, but one hour is the minimum for a workshop to be worthwhile.

To find out more and book your workshop, call the team (Doug, Richard and Grace) on 0333 323 2400 or email ESDTeam@agescotland.org.uk.

Follow us on Twitter @AgeScotESDTeam.

Visit www.agescotland.org.uk/earlystagedementia.

Taking Action on Smoking and Health

ash scotland

Benefits for people living with Dementia

Taking Action on Smoking and Health

Dementia and the workplace

Smoking and Dementia

Alcohol and Dementia ) (L-R

n Jam Gwe

A guide for employers in Scotland

Could it be dementia?

er, Innes MacLeod: Information ning Offic es: Trai

Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400

Caring for someone with early stage dementia

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inform On the 8th of June, the country will vote in a general election that was highly unexpected. Although Age Scotland is impartial when it comes to politics, we always encourage people to take part. We know how

Angus Robertson MP Scottish National Party

Ruth Davidson MSP Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

In the General Election, it is more vital than ever that there are strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland at Westminster.

At this election the Scottish Conservatives are championing better community transport, energy efficient homes and improvements to health and social care.

The Tories are backing away from maintaining the triple lock on pensions – and removing this triple lock would be nothing less than a direct attack on pensioners’ incomes at a time when prices are rising.

The SNP’s position is clear – we will oppose any rollback on the triple lock on pensions.

The SNP has been at the forefront in championing the rights of women who shamefully risk losing out on their pensions as a result of the political choices made by the Tory party. The SNP will always champion the rights of the WASPI campaigners, and we’ll work hard to ensure that no woman loses out on her hard-earned pension.

At Holyrood, the SNP Government has maintained free personal care for the elderly, and we are currently integrating health and social care, helping ensure that those in need of care are able to receive the support they need.

Now more than ever, it is vital that we have a strong team of SNP MPs who will stand up for the rights and interests of our pensioners.

Elderly people often live in some of the least energy efficient homes and struggle to heat them. Investing in energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to tackle fuel poverty, and also has positive effects on physical and mental health.

Community transport networks can be invaluable for elderly people across rural areas. They are often the only direct link to health care as well as friends and family. We will continue arguing for an extension of the national concessionary travel scheme to community transport.

Councils have complained new Health and Social Care Partnerships are being underfunded.

Partnerships must work to ensure that people stay in hospital for as little time as possible and those who need help to return home are given it.

Older voters are overwhelmingly in favour of keeping Scotland in the UK. My party is leading the fightback against the SNP and their plans for a second referendum on independence. We said no in 2014, we meant it, and it’s time they got back to the day job.

10 Download our factsheets: www.agescotland.org.uk/publications

inform important it is that people make their voices heard. So we asked all parties with MSPs in the Scottish Parliament for a short piece on why they deserve your vote:

Kezia Dugdale MSP Scottish Labour Party

Willie Rennie MSP Scottish Liberal Democrat Party

At this election the choice for Scotland’s older people is clear: a vote for Labour who will fight for the services we all rely on; or a vote for the SNP and Tories who are failing the services we rely on.

This election is the chance to change the course of the whole UK. Scottish Liberal Democrats are the voice for the majority in Scotland. We stand to keep Scotland at the heart of the UK and the UK at the heart of Europe.

As the Tories abandon their commitments to older people, Labour will guarantee the state pension “triple lock” throughout the next Parliament. Under Labour, the pension will rise by at least 2.5 per cent a year or be increased to keep pace with inflation or earnings, whichever is higher.

In Scotland, the SNP’s obsession with a divisive second independence referendum means that ministers have consistently ignored our older people, slashing £1.5billion from local services since 2011 - cuts to services like social care.

Older people deserve support when they need it, yet because of SNP cuts they are receiving a poorer service. That’s just not right.

Last year the independent experts at Audit Scotland confirmed a reduction in the percentage of older people receiving homecare between 2006, when Labour was in power, and 2015 under the SNP. By backing Labour on June 8, you can vote for a government that will stand up for the elderly and invest in the NHS, rather than obsess about an unwanted second referendum.

We oppose the SNP’s plans for a divisive second independence referendum. Their obsession with independence has taken its toll on the services we all rely on. Liberal Democrats will heal the divisions and focus on making our public services the best again.

We will avoid a Tory hard Brexit and give the people the final say on the Brexit deal that the UK Government negotiates with Europe. It is only democratic that the people get to decide if the deal is in their best interests, and in the best interests of their children and grandchildren.

Our manifesto will set out our optimistic agenda including investment in education and mental health, alongside protecting the triple lock that Liberal Democrats introduced and which has reduced pensioner poverty.

If you too believe in an open, tolerant and united UK then vote Liberal Democrat on 8 June.

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Stephen Deazley

inform

G N I N R A E L G N O LIFEL MATTERS - OUR 2017 E C N E R E F N O C L A N O I T NA On Wednesday 29th March invited guests and representatives from over 300 Age Scotland member groups came together for our 2017 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 why lifelong learning is so important.

Learning, in all its forms, makes a great difference to the well-being and quality of life of people over the age of 50. Taking part in learning opens up new interests, puts us in control of our lives and helps us to remain physically and socially active. Age Scotland member groups engage in a wide range of informal learning, and many groups are providers of an array of learning opportunities for their members and older people in their local communities.

12 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400

To start the day we heard from research psychologist Sabina Brennan. She is currently Research Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin and her presentation offered top tips for living a brain healthy life with a particular focus on the benefits of lifelong learning and social engagement.

We also heard from Dawn Skelton who is Professor in Ageing and Health in the Institute of Applied Health Research at Glasgow Caledonian University, and is passionate about putting research into practice. Dawn shared her research findings with us and also led the conference through some fun, practical exercises and activities which encouraged us all to build movement and physical activity into our daily lives.

To support the excellent research being done in this area, we also had some musical activities with a performance from Shooglelele, the ukulele

Sabina Brennan

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ul rge Fo nd’s Geo a l t o c S e g A Artist James Warden with

orchestra, and also another musical intervention from Stephen Deazley. Stephen is a composer, educationalist and presenter who turned the whole conference into an instant choir.

In the afternoon we then had a range of seminars looking at arts as we age, mindfulness, making digital work, what keeps you sharp, and for something a wee bit different, table tennis!

What was most important about the day was that it brought people to 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!

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ob s it h R e K &

on

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 conference, 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.

Email your events to advantage@agescotland.org.uk 13

inspire

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.

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 our highest number of entries. This year saw the introduction of a new inspiration award.

In previous years, we’ve had entries that didn’t fit in to a specific category but were very deserving of recognition for outstanding efforts to support older people. The panel felt two such applications were deserving of an inspiration award.

Also new this year was our Lifelong Learning Award.

This was the theme of the Age Scotland conference and the award is for a group or individual who is recognising the importance of learning in later life.

Member Group of the Year: Grampian 50+ Network Grampian 50+ Network is an older people’s group that supports walking groups in the North East of Scotland with over 1500 members. What’s amazing is that this wonderful group is run by a team of dedicated volunteers who put in a huge amount of effort. The network has a huge impact on so many lives and is doing fantastic work to keep more older people active and helping them to love later life.

14 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400

tt - Inspiration Award | Grangemouth Commun ity Care Laura Sco Serv

Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning & Influencing (Sponsored by McCarthy & Stone): Grey Matters Grey Matters have an amazing record of delivering for their area through tireless campaigning. Their actions have helped to connect people with their communities and in doing so, have combatted the problems of loneliness and isolation which is affecting vulnerable older people.

Patrick Brooks Partnership Award: Vintage Vibes Vintage Vibes is an Edinburgh based innovative befriending service matching volunteers to ‘VIPs’.

This amazing partnership has brought together two organisations, with huge experience in their respective communities, to deliver transformational change to the lives hundreds of people.

Lifelong Learning Award: Carse of Gowrie and district Men’s Shed This award recognises that we never stop learning and that older people have skills and experience that are invaluable when shared. Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed exemplify this attitude as a hub for learning new skills and also recognising the expertise of older craftsmen and how, through sharing skills, we can tackle loneliness and isolation.

inspire

vices for O lder Peop le Award | Vintage Vibes - Pa trick Brook s Partnership

Award

Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored

by Solicitors for Older People Scotland): Jim MacKintosh The Volunteer of the Year Award is always the hardest category to judge. There are thousands of people who are volunteering tirelessly to support older people but Jim’s nomination shone through for his brilliant work with older people’s groups at the Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre. He has done so much in support of his community and is an inspiration and support to so many people.

Services for Older People: Grangemouth Community Care Grangemouth Community provide an amazing service by supporting isolated older people and helping them to feel a part of their community. By providing transport to and from the service, and an opportunity to socialise, they are helping to dramatically improve quality of life. What’s even more astounding is that this service is run by volunteers, who all work tirelessly to make difference to the lives of vulnerable older people in Grangemouth.

Inspiration Award: Laura Scott Laura Scott is a shining example of how one person can change the world. Her decision to take up the reins of Peebles Pensioners Association, saved the

group from closure and in doing so, made the world of difference to local older people. The group is a lifeline for many older people, helping connect them to the community and providing them with activities, tackling social isolation.

Inspiration Award: Muirhead and District Seniors Forum Muirhead & District Seniors Forum are a great example of how the activity of movement can not only be a catalyst for a healthy life, but also as tool to combat social isolation. Through their tea dances, keep fit classes, summer trips and walking group, the forum has helped to engage local older people and keep them connected with their community.

Entertainer Dean Park was our guest presenter, who very kindly stepped in after actress Maureen Beattie had to cancel. Maureen did however send a video message to all our award winners wishing them heartiest congratulations for all their excellent efforts. Dean then entertained the crowd with some jokes and stories that he is so famed for.

Want to find out more about our fantastic award winners?

All our award winners were interviewed for films shown at the award ceremony. You can see them at http://bit.ly/AgeScotAwards.

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Update from our fundraising team Abseil On 28th May, 16 Age Scotland supporters abseiled from the Forth Rail Bridge. The 340-strong annual event was organised by the Rotary Club of South Queensferry and supported by Network Rail and Balfour Beatty. The Rotary Club of South Queensferry work on this event year-round and we cannot thank them enough for everything they do to support charities and inspire communities. On the day of the abseil, the Rotary were joined by around 60 additional volunteers, including Josselyn Tarazona, one of our very own fundraising volunteers.

Among the abseilers were Martin Hunter and Maureen Tait, both from Port of Leith Housing association (PoLHA). PoLHA have been incredibly supportive of the work of Age Scotland – their residents even showed off their moves at the Strength and Balance Bingo hosted at the Parliament earlier in the year.

The Big Knit We are now in our final phase of this year’s Big Knit bobble hat campaign. By the first deadline in January, we sent in 29,000 little hats to the Innocent warehouse.

We are hoping to match that for the second and final deadline of 14th July 2017. If you have hats to send in, please send them to us at 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR in advance of the deadline.

Age Scotland gets 25p for each hat sent to innocent.

If you are part of an Age Scotland member group, it gets split: 15p for your group; 10p for Age Scotland.

For access to patterns, please visit thebigknit.co.uk and for any Big Knit-related comments, please contact Rebecca on 0333 323 2400 or email fundraising@agescotland.org.uk.

Fundraising for groups guide We have put together a guide to fundraising for Age Scotland member groups, with fundraising tips and ideas, and suggestions as to further reading and support. To get your copy, please either speak with your Community Development Officer, or call the fundraising team on 0333 323 2400.

For information on any of these events or ways to get involved contact the team on 0333 323 2400 or fundraising@agescotland.org.uk.

16 To FUNdraise for Age Scotland call 0333 323 2400

Lanarkshire volunteers

Fife Walking Group

inform

Staying Connected to live better with Parkinson’s A social life is not an optional extra – staying social helps us to stay well. And for the 11,000 or so people with Parkinson’s in Scotland this is particularly true.

Parkinson’s affects adults of all ages, but the overwhelming majority are aged over 65. Although often understood as a condition affecting movement, it impacts on every aspect of daily life, including talking, walking, swallowing and writing. Tiredness, pain, depression, dementia, compulsive behaviours and continence problems also have a huge impact.

A lot of people find their Parkinson’s symptoms embarrassing. They report negative responses such as staring or being accused of being drunk. Mobility and mental health issues can also make it really challenging to get out and about.

It’s no surprise that people with Parkinson’s become more isolated as their condition progresses, and that unpaid carers have limited opportunities to maintain their social networks. That’s why Parkinson’s UK supports over 40 local groups across Scotland, offering friendship and a range of activities to people affected by Parkinson’s. People tell us that they really want to meet with others in similar situations.

Sharing experiences can “normalise” Parkinson’s and make it easier to enjoy socialising.

Many of our local groups offer health and wellbeing activities. Exercise classes, dance, art and walking groups are popular, and we are looking at new ways to make sure that everyone with Parkinson’s in Scotland can access activities even if there isn’t a Parkinson’s group nearby.

We also offer self management courses for people with Parkinson’s and carers. We’ve already run these in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh, and we’ll be expanding this year.

Our Local Advisors provide confidential one-toone information and support. For people who are isolated, this is a real lifeline. We also run an online Forum, a telephone Buddying Service, and are developing face-to-face peer support.

But there is more to be done, and not just for people with Parkinson’s. Making it easy for people to stay connected must be a policy priority. We need to tackle underfunding in social care and support services like befriending, buddying schemes, and day centres. We need to make our communities as accessible as possible for everyone.

And most of all we need to confront Scotland’s fears around aging and illness. It’s great to hear the Scottish Government talking positively about older people as assets, but too often this agenda focusses on those who are in good health. Older people who need support must not be “disappeared”. Voices and experiences of older, frailer people – including disabled people and those with conditions like Parkinson’s – must be heard.

For more information on Parkinson’s support in Scotland, go to www.parkinsons.org.uk/support or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 0303.

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Get Involved

land shared their stories | Dunoon Me from across Scot n’s Shed Shedders

A warm welcome was extended to delegates who got the chance to visit to the Dunoon Men’s Shed.

It was amazing to see the work that has gone into transforming a dilapidated farm building into such a well equipped working space, and the range of activities that shedders are involved in.

It was great to see shedders from across the West of Scotland come along to hear about our research findings and also to listen to a talk from two shedders from the Armagh Men’s Shed. Stephen and Dessey gave a brilliant insight in to how the Men’s Shed movement is progressing in Ireland.

This is useful for our own shedders as many sheds in Scotland are still less than a couple of years old and the opportunity to learn from their experience was invaluable.

The report that we launched, The Shed Effect, tells the stories of 30 shedders from across Scotland and the associated research shows the impact and benefits of sheds.

Thanks to the 133 Shedders who completed our Men’s Health & Well Being questionnaire.

The Shed Effect tells the stories of shedders in their own words: “When I feel like I need refreshed and lifted up, I know that twice a week my shed will be there waiting.”

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The Shed Effec tland

shedders in Sco

f for this page Use separate pd

You can download a copy of our research and The Shed Effect, by visiting: www.agescotland.org. uk/MensSheds.

1

As a resident of Argyll, I’ve gotten used to having to travel through to the central belt for events. As such, it was absolutely brilliant that Age Scotland decided to launch their new research about sheds in Scotland in Dunoon. It still required a two and half hour drive mind but you get used to that in our part of Scotland!

The Shed Effect

Page

Ian McVicar, Men’s Sheds Development Officer for the West of Scotland has been out and about supporting new and existing sheds.

rs in Scotland

from shedde The Shed Effect: Stories

18 News and views: www.agescotland.wordpress.com

Get Involved

Carse of Gowrie S hedder Gary Lyo n at the

Age Scot obson land confe Keith R & n e rence | Borders Shed Fes e r G t: MSP John Lamont, Tim

Tim Green, Men’s Shed Development Officer for the East of Scotland gives us a round-up of the movement so far in his patch.

Lots happening in men’s sheds in the East of Scotland. Congratulations to Carse of Gowrie and District Men’s Shed who were awarded the Age Scotland Lifelong Learning Award 2017 at our National Conference in Perth on 29th March.

A video was made to mark their win which you can see on the Age Scotland YouTube page, www.youtube.com/user/AgeScotland. Go to the 2017 Awards playlist. Carse of Gowrie Shedder Gary Lyon addressed the conference discussing the importance of lifelong learning and his experiences following retirement.

A Scottish Borders Shed Festival took place at the Tait Hall in Kelso on 30th March 2017. This was expertly compered by Nigel Sargent, Policy and Development Officer, Volunteer Centre Borders.

Galashiels, Jedburgh, Hawick, Coldstream, Eyemouth, Kelso and Selkirk Men’s Sheds were in attendance sharing their stories and staffing stalls exhibiting a highly impressive range of high quality products and projects. The event attracted folk from Dumfries and Galloway with Dalbeattie and Lochmaben sending representatives.

Presentations included A snapshot of the global and Scottish Men’s Shed movement 2017 by Jason

Schroeder, Executive Officer, Scottish Men’s Sheds Association; and Shedders’ Voices - Making a Difference? by my colleague Jo Cowan. Shedders and shed supporters heard about how shedders have contributed their experiences in coffee-break groups and in-depth individual interviews. In these interviews shedders were able to tell their personal story in their own words, building a body of evidence about the benefits of men’s sheds as identified by shedders themselves.

On Wednesday 10th May the Carse of Gowrie and District Men’s Shed hosted The Shed Effect: stories from shedders across Scotland. At this event Jo Cowan and I shared the results of our research into the impact of men’s sheds.

There was also an opportunity to: • hear about men’s sheds in the West of Scotland; • meet and share experiences with men’s sheds from across the East of Scotland; and • identify actions that could be taken by policy makers to sustain men’s shed into the future.

I’d like to thank the Carse of Gowrie shed for being such brilliant hosts and for inspiring shedders about what can be achieved.

Tim Green: Tim.Green@agescotland.org.uk 07718 579 291 / 01383 882 151

19

News from around Scotland

Moray members try out Age Scotland’s St

An alternately glorious and stormy Monday in March witnessed a busy Lochaber networking meeting in the Kilmallie Free Church in Caol, outside Fort William. Jointly organised by Highland Senior Citizens’ Network (HSCN) and Age Scotland, the event attracted nearly 30 people from 19 different older people’s groups and organisations.

The programme included time to reflect on what was working well for older people in Lochaber; what else participants would like to see happening and what was needed to make these additional things happen.

A grid of what was going on for older people in the area each day of the week was created. In addition to updates from Age Scotland and HCSN, there were short presentations from Action in Mind, the local Health and Social Care coordinator; Connecting Carers; and Let’s Get On With It Together. Thanks to the Kilmallie Church volunteers for providing a very welcome two course lunch.

rength and B alance Bin go

Officer, Jim Eadie, who is gathering views and opinions from older people across Scotland on improvements that can be made to housing, for the Scottish Government. Access to better transport, the important role of carers in the community, tackling social isolation and the need for better services for older people were the main themes that carried across both days. The meetings also included networking time, updates from HSCN and inputs from Age Scotland teams including Dementia Awareness training workshops.

“A very interesting and inspiring day – well presented. It was great to meet so many people and to hear of the different things going on.”

As well as gathering views and opinions on housing issues, the meetings in Elgin and in Aberdeen focussed on the benefits of keeping physically active. In Aberdeen, Marjory D’arcy of Grampian 50+ Network told us about some of the activities members get involved with. Over 60 member groups spread across Aberdeen city, Aberdeenshire and Moray organise a varied programme of walks, catering for ramblers to strollers. The walks take in historical places of interest, wildlife, local viewpoints and provide opportunities for a breath of fresh air, good company and keeping active.

Age Scotland and HSCN also teamed up to hold network meetings in Wick and Aviemore. Both March meetings were well attended and included discussion time with Age Scotland’s Housing Policy

The Elgin Network meeting got off to a rousing start when Archiestown BALL Group led us in a line dancing session. Fancy footwork was the order of the day as around 40 of us enjoyed a couple of country

20 Check out www.youtube.com/user/AgeScotland

Going local

Peebles O ld Folks W elfare

| Bill Martin

and Bill MacDonald

, past and present chairs of RSF

and western-style dances to set us up for the rest of the meeting. Kath Todd from Elgin Singing, Exercise & Tea helped get everyone reinvigorated after lunch with some gentle exercise to music.

Malcolm Wetherill, our Regional Ambassador in the North East, gave an insight at the Elgin meeting into just how varied his role has proved to be: he is a member of the local Men’s Shed, meets up with groups to tell them about Age Scotland and has also become very involved in distributing food parcels to those who could benefit from some extra support.

Thanks to all Age Scotland members and partners who contributed to the meetings.

Happy Birthday to two special Age Scotland member groups Congratulations to Peebles Old Folks Welfare and Renfrewshire Seniors Forum who have both celebrated significant milestones in March 2017.

Peebles Old Folks Welfare marked their 75th birthday with a special dinner for members and supporters. Robin Cowan, the past chairman for 30 years, gave a fascinating and humorous talk on the remarkable history of the Welfare. Formed during World War II by the firemen of Peebles, the Welfare redistributed furniture and household goods to the people of Peeblesshire. Right up to 1970 the Welfare continued to give out food parcels to those in need

in Peeblesshire at Christmas time. For many years now the focus has been on providing an interesting programme of talks, events and outings for members ensuring older people know about local services and can enjoy friendships and activities. The evening concluded with musical entertainment and all those attending were presented with an anniversary plate.

Over 50 delegates gathered at Paisley Town Hall to honour the importance and significance of the Renfrewshire Seniors Forum. Formed in 1987, the Renfrewshire Seniors Forum is one of a kind. Bringing together the 8 local Seniors Forums in Renfrewshire under one umbrella, it plays a major role in supporting older people to have a voice around issues of concern for seniors and it provides a unique Renfrewshire wide body which enables information and support to be distributed quickly and efficiently to older people in the area. Renfrewshire’s Provost, Anne Hall attending the event, praised the work of the forum, not only in its campaigning strengths but the role it plays in providing social activities and networking for the older citizens of Renfrewshire.

0333 323 2400 members@agescotland.org.uk

www.facebook.com/agescotland 21

A HELPLINE – A LIFELINE

How much do you value being able to say hello to someone? For people who call our helpline, it can make the world of difference.

We used this information to run a campaign during the local election campaign with hundreds of candidates signing on to support our campaign to ensure that everyone who was entitled to care was getting it as quickly as possible.

Whether calling for information, friendship or advice, the Age Scotland Helpline really is a lifeline for thousands of people across Scotland. In the last year alone, 16,645 people got in touch with us. What we do, no one else does in Scotland – we provide a one stop shop for people over the age of 50 to ask any question. Some of our callers don’t even want to ask a question, they just want someone to talk to. It’s a very simple way to tackle loneliness and isolation, providing expert advisers who are able to be that person you need to talk to when you don’t have anyone.

So why does a helpline matter?

Callers who get in touch looking for information do so on a huge range of topics. From legal and money advice to housing, heating and residential care, we’ve got the answers for you. Our most asked question was about benefits and as we are able to do a benefits check, you can also find out what you’re entitled to. In the last year alone, we helped to identify almost £450,000 worth of unclaimed benefits. t From carers allowance to pension credit, it all helps when you’re trying to make ends meet.

By calling and letting us know about problems with public services, we can highlight these issues to the relevant authorities. For example, we started to notice that a lot of people were calling up our helpline to ask about free personal nursing care.

For many older people, accessing information online is simply not an option. Age Scotland will always encourage people to try getting online, but those that can’t need help and support; that’s where our helpline comes in.

But you don’t need to trust us, just let our callers’ words tell you how important the helpline is:

You’re a great asset to the older generation” Thank you, you have lifted my spirits” You’ve been the most helpful and informative organisation I’ve spoken to about my benefits. It’s been such a struggle to get a clear answer.”

You’re the first person to talk sense about this. I wish I’d called you first. I’m keeping a note of your number and I’ll always call Age Scotland first in the future.”

Thank you.

You’ve made my soul sing today.”

22 To FUNdraise for Age Scotland call 0333 323 2400

fundraising

You are all angels of mercy… just speaking my thoughts out to you has made me feel a whole lot better.”

CALLERS’ STORIES There, I’ve talked myself into feeling better, but I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re a darling!”

Thank you so much for being there for me this morning you have no idea how much it meant to have an adult conversation… the lady was the first person I had spoken to properly for seven weeks.”

On paper, it’s only a phone number - 0800 12 44 222 - but for the people who call it, it’s a lifeline.

How can you help us?

Age Scotland relies on donations from people like you to keep going. If you can, please consider making a donation today using the form overleaf. Every penny counts and we are grateful for whatever you can afford.

Your donation will be used where it is needed most - helping older people, who trust us. Whether answering calls for help via our helpline; alleviating loneliness and isolation within the local community; or ensuring older people’s ideas for a better Scotland reach the ears of those who need to hear them - you can be sure your donation is valued and will be used wisely.

Betty* called us wanting to know if she could get any help with gas safety checks and repairing/ replacing her heating system. Our helpline adviser told her about her energy provider’s ‘priority services register’ (which can help with gas safety checks) and provided her with information about Home Energy Scotland and local Care and Repair. Our adviser also provided Betty with information about the Winter Fuel Payment and Warm Home Discount schemes, and suggested she undertake a benefits check (to check she was receiving all the benefits she was entitled to). Betty was very happy with the thorough response to her enquiry. Knowing we’ve helped is enough but it was great to heat her say:

“you’ve been very helpful, I can’t thank you enough” Sally* contacted the helpline to discuss her parents’ benefit entitlements. Our helpline adviser explained the criteria for relevant benefits and suggested to Sally that her parents complete a benefits check.

She was also advised about community care assessments, carer’s assessments and the local community alarm service. Sally was pleased with the information and advice we’d given saying:

“you’ve done a great job” * Name has been changed to protect caller’s identity.

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Help older people in Scotland love later life Title

I would like to donate regularly

Initials

Surname

A regular donation is one of the most effective ways of giving to Age Scotland. It helps us plan our work in advance and help older people more efficiently. Just complete and return this Direct Debit form. Thank you.

Address: Postcode:

Yes, I would like to give to Age Scotland: £

I would like to make a donation £10

£20

Each month

Start Date: month

quarter

year year

£50 or my own amount of £

DIRECT Debit

Cheque/Postal Order

(I enclose a cheque/Postal Order made payable to: Age Scotland)

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Date:

Gift Aid Declaration for past, present & future donations Are you a UK Tax Payer? If so, you could boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate. Gift Aid is reclaimed by Age Scotland from the tax you pay for the current tax year and your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer.

Yes, I want to Gift Aid the above donation and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to Age Scotland. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. Please notify Age Scotland if you: want to cancel this declaration / change your name or home address / no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.

If you pay Income Tax at the higher rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assesssment or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

Signature:

Date:

Age Scotland, Reg Charity No. SC010100 t: 0333 323 2400 e: fundraising@agescotland.org.uk

Looking after your details We would like to stay in touch – but only if you do too.

We will contact you to thank you for any donations that you make to Age Scotland. And we would like to stay in touch to let you know more about our fundraising appeals and how your support for our vital work helps older people. We would like to reassure you that under no circumstances will we share or sell your details and we promise to keep your details safe and secure, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Please mark the box below if you would like to hear from us again:

Yes, I would like to receive communications by post from Age Scotland.

If you change your mind at any time you can phone us on 0333 323 2400, contact us by email at fundraising@agescotland.org.uk or write to us at: Age Scotland, Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR.

Please return to...

Freepost RSBS-KEHC-GBBC, Age Scotland, 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.