Advantage
Age Scotland’s magazine: winter 2017/18, issue 51
2018 National Conference announced!
Luminate 2017 Pg 14 Men's Shed Update Pg 18 Challenge Yourself! Pg 22
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
Warm and Well
P8
Age Scotland Enterprise
P10 Employability and older people P14 2017 Luminate P16 Get Involved P18 Update from Men’s Sheds P20 Going Local P22 Challenge yourself!
Brian Sloan, Chief Executive
Hello, Welcome to the winter edition of Advantage.
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.
Many of us will be preparing for a busy festive period, hopefully planning a nice time with friends and family. Unfortunately for many older people the winter months can be a particularly challenging time. Cold weather can prevent some older people from getting out to socialise and the emphasis society places on togetherness at this time of year can intensify the feeling of having no one. This December, we will be running our annual ‘no one should have no one’ campaign to raise awareness of the issue of loneliness (page 7). We also have a new ‘Warm and Well’ project which will see our Energy Rights Officer visiting members to give advice on how to stay warm whilst also reducing fuel bills in the winter months (page 4). We’ll also hear from our Men’s Sheds and Community Development teams about the fantastic work being done locally in communities to end loneliness. I hope you enjoy this edition of Advantage. 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 by writing to us at 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR, or emailing advantage@agescotland.org.uk. Bye for now, Brian Sloan
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Age Scotland has received funding to deliver Warm and Well sessions to member groups in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow until March 2019. Our new Energy Rights Officer, Callum Boath, will be visiting groups to give advice on how to stay warm whilst also reducing your fuel bills in the winter months. There are three problems that can lead to people struggling with their fuel bills: high tariffs, inefficient homes and low incomes. The Warm and Well sessions will be able to help shine some light on these issues and help you make sense of it all. These sessions will cover such topics as: • Energy Efficiency tips – There are lots of little changes we can make to save money on our fuel bills. • Smart Meters – What are they and how do they work? These will be installed in every home by 2020 and can be great for helping to reduce your fuel bills. We will debunk some myths about smart meters and find out what the benefits are. • How to find the best energy tariff – There are more energy suppliers on the market than ever so it’s important to know what to look for, and who to speak to, when getting the best deal. You could save upwards of £200 a year and we’ll help you find out how.
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Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400
• The Warm Home Discount – If you are eligible for this it could be £140 off of your electricity bill during the winter months. We’ll help find out if you or anyone you know may be eligible for it and explain how it’s claimed. • What you’re entitled to – We’ve all had cold calls from someone offering us a deal too good to be true. We’ll have a look into what we are actually entitled to and who we can chat to for advice. The sessions normally last around an hour to an hour and a half. However, this is purely dependent on the group and can be tailored to suit their needs. There’s plenty of time for questions during the session and at the end. Those who attend will also be able to take away the Warm and Well booklet with them and, if they want any more information, they’ll be able to contact the Age Scotland Helpline on 0800 12 44 222.
To book a session for your group: call 0333 323 2400 or email warmandwell@agescotland.org.uk
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The be autiful Coire
nan Loc han
Age Scotland kicks off the Munro Challenge! Regular ‘Advantage’ readers will know the emphasis we put on keeping active and the real difference this can make to your health. Building in regular exercise to your normal routine can improve your quality of life and help you to be the best you can be. So no apologies here in reminding you that this is the key thing that you can do to keep yourself healthy! By regular exercise we mean doing something for half an hour on most days of the week where you feel you have put in a bit of an effort to raise your heart rate. This ‘moderate’ level activity should make you feel a bit warmer overall, maybe a little bit out of puff and will give you a lovely pink glow! This half an hour in a day can be carried out in bursts of 10 minutes at a time that suits you. Sound do-able? Then you are ready for the Munro Challenge! And you don’t even have to climb an actual Munro!
Introducing the Munro Challenge! We launched our Munro Challenge at the Activities Festival Event in Dundee to celebrate the United Nations international day for older persons on the 1st October. The Challenge is based around Scotland’s wonderful 282 Munros and just like last year’s Coastline Challenge we would love everyone to get involved and climb a Munro or the equivalent distance!
brate! ants cele p i c i t r a p s ’ r Last yea
All Munros are over 3000 feet high and completion of the Challenge will require you or your team to cover the distance both up and down the mountain. Distance wise, it will vary, however it is roughly 3000 steps or 1.5 miles for one Munro. We anticipate that many of you will want to cover the equivalent distance virtually in your own neighbourhood however we are expecting too that some people will want to climb the real thing. Whatever you choose, you can do this in whatever way you would like such as walking, jogging, even dancing! We want you to have fun whilst enjoying the great benefits that exercise can bring! To join in the Challenge please contact Jenny Ackland or Yolanda Strachan on 0333 323 2400 or email jennyackland@agescotland.org.uk or Yolanda.strachan@agescotland.org.uk • Choose a Munro or a series of Munros - we can provide you with a list if you need one. • Identify a way to record your steps e.g. phone, activity tracker or pedometer. • Keep us posted regularly via email on your progress and send us a photo. We need you to cover the equivalent distance of your chosen Munro(s) by 31st January 2018. With grateful thanks to the following organisations who are supporting our 2017 Challenge: House of Bruar, Walkers Shortbread, Ramblers Scotland, Fine Rogerson Footwear.
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a workshop in full swing
| 2017 Awar d winner
s
Save the date! We are gearing up for Age Scotland’s 2018 National Conference and Awards Ceremony. ‘Later Life in Scotland: Taking the Long View’ will be held on Tuesday 20th March 2018. We’re delighted to be holding the event in Glasgow at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Argyle Street. The 2018 Age Scotland conference will be marking an important milestone - Age Scotland’s 75th birthday! Our predecessor charity, the Scottish Old People’s Welfare Committee, was formed in 1943. With the help of our guest speakers and workshop presenters we’ll explore the changes and achievements that have taken place in Scotland in relation to later life over the past 75 years and discuss what would make life better for older people today and in the future.
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Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400
We will also be celebrating the hard work of the many dedicated individuals and groups in our communities who are making a positive difference to the lives of older people in Scotland with the presentation of the Age Scotland Awards. A big thank you to everyone who has sent in their nominations for the Awards. It has been wonderful to hear about the fabulous work being done in local communities across Scotland. We will be in touch with all award winners before Christmas. Conference invitations and programmes will be mailed to all members and guests in the New Year. We hope to see you there!
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no one should have no one Around
60,000
older Scots are likely to spend
Christmas
alone
100,000 older people in Scotland feel lonely most or all of the time. Loneliness is a problem all year round but nearly 80,000 older people in Scotland say they feel lonelier at Christmas. Tackling loneliness and isolation is one of Age Scotland’s key strategic aims. Loneliness has a profound impact on our quality of life, with serious implications for physical and mental health. On the 5th of December we launched our Christmas campaign, No one should have no one, at Barrhead Men’s Shed. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the loneliness and isolation experienced by many older people across Scotland. As part of our campaign we have been asking our member groups to write a Christmas card to their local MSP asking them to work with Age Scotland on reducing loneliness. In 2018, the Scottish Government will establish a ground-breaking National Strategy on Loneliness and we are calling for MSPs to work with us to ensure it delivers real action to reduce loneliness in our country.
d n’s She Launch event at Barrhead Me
Jeane Freeman, Minister for Social Security, supports our campaign, saying: “Christmas can too often be a particularly difficult time for people who feel alone. We welcome Age Scotland’s campaign and encourage all of us to remember the older people in our neighbourhoods and communities over the festive period and throughout the year. In 2016 / 17, our social isolation and loneliness fund provided £500,000 for community based projects tackling isolation because this is a priority for us and the social isolation and loneliness strategy we are developing will focus on empowering communities to lead in this area.” Thank you to everyone who has completed Christmas cards for us, which will help Age Scotland’s influencing work to raise loneliness up the agenda. A special thank you also to Barrhead Men’s Shed for hosting our campaign launch event. Find out more about our No one should have no one campaign by visiting www.agescotland.org.uk.
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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. MP3168V5JUL16
news
Martyn Walker
Update from our Early Stage Dementia team Welcome to the Team! We have a few new faces joining the team:
Michelle Manzie Michelle Manzie has joined us as our new Project Officer based in the Highlands working on our Highland Dementia Friendly Communities Project. Look out for a more in depth look into her work in our next update.
Julie Turner Julie Turner joins us from Poppy Scotland as our new Training Officer and ESD Team Leader. Julie will be going out across Scotland meeting our member groups and other charities and making them more dementia aware through our Dementia Awareness Workshops. Later next year, Julie will also develop our ‘Train the Trainer’ program that will be a crucial part of the projects legacy.
(L
If you would like to arrange a Dementia Awareness Innes MacLeod: Information ng Officer, workshopecontact s: Traini Julie on 0333 323 2400 or at m a en J ) Gw -Rjulie.turner@agescotland.org.uk.
And finally, Martyn Walker has joined the team as our new Policy & Information Officer. With previous experience working in the third sector at Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS) and for a former MSP, Martyn will be promoting the work of our project including our publications and information guides. A big part of Martyn’s work will be taking forward a project analysing the links between age friendly and dementia friendly policy approaches and also to review the current policies in these areas. You can contact Martyn at martyn.walker@ agescotland.org.uk or 0333 323 2400
ESD Publications We are delighted that our publications are proving very successful with nearly 3000 being delivered to members and individuals across Scotland. Our ten publications cover topics including Reducing your risk, What is dementia? Caring for someone with dementia, Alcohol and Dementia and the popular Benefits for people living with dementia. All our publications can be accessed online or if you would like a hard copy sent out to you, please contact the team who will be happy to help.
Get in Touch Tel: 0333 323 2400 Email ESDTeam@agescotland.org.uk Follow us on Twitter @AgeScotESDTeam
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AN AGEING WORKFORCE, AN OPPORTUNITY Since 2006, it has been illegal to discriminate against people on the grounds of age in the workplace. Nonetheless, evidence suggests that this is a persistent occurrence from the age of 50 onwards. Except for senior executive and managerial roles, people in their 50s and 60s report being passed over for recruitment and promotion, receiving fewer opportunities for in-work training and development, and unfairly early selection for redundancy. Employers often wouldn’t admit this publicly, but it seemed clear that perceptions existed that older workers could be more expensive, less healthy and less open to change. Even among organisations which avoid discrimination, there is little evidence of proactivity in adapting to an ageing workforce. Age is the weakest link in diversity and inclusion work, with only a fifth of employers taking it into account in their strategies according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Age Scotland’s work engagement with employers suggests this may even be optimistic. Yet actively pursuing an age-diverse workforce by retaining and retraining older staff isn’t only a good cause, it’s good business. Retirees take with them a surfeit of skill and often institutional memory that any younger replacement would struggle to match. Not only this, but older workers are needed to close an emerging skills gap. The CIPD also calculated that the number of vacancies expected to be generated in the economy cannot be met by school, college or university leavers or economic migrants alone: to meet this demand we would have to either attract some of those who have dropped out of the labour market back in or extend people’s working lives.
10 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400
While some older people are very happy to have retired, and others cannot wait to do so, a growing number feel they aren’t ready to give up working yet and still have a lot to contribute. Some recent policy changes reflect this. In 2012, automatic retirement ages were abolished, meaning people can no longer be terminated on grounds of their age alone. Everyone now has the right to request flexible working – either to accommodate other responsibilities, such as caring or volunteering – or to allow for phased retirement rather than a sudden jarring stop. But it’s not yet clear that most employers are seizing the opportunity to make winding down gradually a default occurrence. Financial considerations also come into it – the definition of “working age” has increased as the State Pension age for women has been gradually rising from 60 to 65 next year, after which it is due to go up further for both genders to 68. But we can do more. In December, a major Scottish academic study published their findings into how to support older people back into employment, following a very disappointing record of success in doing so by the DWP Work Programme. The Scottish Government aim to use this to design their own employability scheme, which will come on stream in April 2018. Age Scotland knows that the abilities and wisdom gained from years of life experience, as well as know-how from the workplace, make older workers a potentially enormous asset. We ignore them at our peril.
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EMPLOYABILITY FOR OLDER WORKERS Colin Dick is a regular guest speaker at Age Scotland’s ‘Planning for your Future’ workshops. Colin provides career transition support to people and companies going through change. In this article, he speaks to us about employability for older workers. This is a concern frequently raised with me by clients who are in the process of changing jobs, whether voluntarily or through necessity. Yes, it is true that there are challenges both for employees and employers. Yes, ageism exists, even if it is illegal. However there are also opportunities to use your maturity to help you in the job market. Increasingly, employers are becoming aware of the benefits of employing mature people in their workforce. Some comment on values of loyalty, punctuality, social empathy and willingness to learn and work hard as valuable. This can spread to younger colleagues. So you find yourself in the job market, perhaps for the first time in many years. First of all, don’t panic! The initial activity is to think and prepare. Think about your current or last job. What are the range of skills you have been using and which of those have you enjoyed most? Are these transferable to a new job which might be the same or different to your old job? Make a list of them and think of examples where you have achieved a result with them. Think – is this an opportunity to change roles; start a new venture yourself; go part-time? This will help you decide on potential new routes to employment.
Then prepare your CV. Make it punchy and emphasise the positive experiences of your career to date – demonstrating your skills and achievements. When you send it out to potential employers, attach a covering letter ‘selling’ you and your experience. This is to attract attention to yourself over other candidates. Then, wherever possible, follow it up with a telephone call to check they have received your application and what is the next stage – this brings your name to the fore and show enthusiasm. When offered an interview, prepare well for it and be yourself. Honesty (but not negativity) is appreciated. So what are the other benefits of you as a mature employee? We’ve already commented on a set of values above, plus experience, possibly across a range of organisations, skills, job types which younger employees might not offer. ‘Getting on with people of all types’ is a major advantage which often comes with maturity. Be confident in selling yourself, even if this does not come naturally to you. Recognise you might not win the first jobs you go for, but try to obtain feedback on why. Be positive in everything you say and be resilient in the face of rejection (it happens to every one of all ages).
Like to know more? To find out more about our Planning for Future workshops contact Karen at Karen.Grzywa@ agescotland.org.uk or call 0333 32 32 400. To contact Colin directly, contact Colin Dick Consulting on 07885 734422 or email Colin@thetrainingbusiness.co.uk.
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The way we all buy and use gas and electricity is changing Smart meters are the new generation of gas and electricity meters. A smart meter sends automatic readings directly to your energy supplier, resulting in accurate bills. They come with a simple to use hand held device, called an in-home display or IHD, which shows you how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence. Here are common pieces of information or misleading news that you might have heard about smart meters. Test your knowledge! 1. I can ask my energy supplier for a smart meter. True or False? TRUE Only your energy supplier can install a smart meter so contact them to find out when you can get one. We’re all entitled to a smart meter. How soon you can get your meter depends on your energy supplier, where you live, your meter type and what kind of home you live in, but you can ask your energy supplier directly to see if yours can be fitted now. 2. I’ll have to pay extra for an in-home display. True or False? FALSE There is no extra cost for a smart meter or for the in-home display. There will be no extra charge on your bill because you choose to have a smart meter.
12 Call Age Scotland on 0333 323 2400
The costs will be spread across everyone’s bills, just like the cost of running and maintaining today’s traditional meters. 3. I rent my home and pay my own bills, but will need my landlord’s permission to get a smart meter. True or False? FALSE If you pay your gas and/or electricity bills and they’re addressed to you rather than your landlord, you don’t need your landlord’s permission to get a smart meter (although you should inform them). If your landlord pays the bills, you should check with them first before arranging your smart meter installation. 4. I need a Wi-Fi signal for the meter to work True or False? FALSE Smart meters operate in the same way as other wireless systems, such as car keys or TV’s, using radio waves. You don’t need the internet in your home for a smart meter to work and it won’t use your internet if you have it. 5. I have a prepayment meter so I cannot have a smart meter. True or False? FALSE Smart meters should make prepayment easier and you should be able to see how much credit you have left on your in-home display, without having to manually read or access the meter. Prepay
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from John
customers can continue to top up their meter at a shop, but smart meters will give more options for topping up. 6. I’ll need to move out for a day when my smart meters are installed. True or False? FALSE Either you, or another responsible adult if you can’t be there, will have to be at home, even if your meters are located outside. This is so the installer can show you how the in-home display works and how to use it. The installation should take about 2 hours if you have both your gas and electricity with the same supplier and they're fitting both smart meters at the same time. 7. Smart meters are compulsory. True or False? FALSE Smart meters are not compulsory; it’s entirely your choice. The government requires energy suppliers to offer smart meters to all homes and small businesses across Great Britain by 2020, but whether you accept them is completely up to you.
t K en
How did John find his smart meter? John decided to have a smart meter installed in his house when offered one by his energy supplier: “As soon as we were offered the upgrade by our energy supplier and had them fitted I would study the energy consumption data on a daily basis,” he says. John particularly likes using the IHD to track how much energy he uses for everyday activities, and seeing this in real time in pounds and pence. “My favourite feature has been using the data shown on the in-home display to calculate how much energy each individual appliance uses around the house. The display started life in the kitchen, but as it can be moved around we now have it located in the lounge. I still like looking at the energy consumption data, as well as how much our energy is costing.”
"The Everyone will be offered the installation of our opportunity to upgrade to a smart smart meters was meter by their energy supplier. painless and didn’t seem If you are interested in getting a to take long at all. The one simply contact your energy engineer from our energy supplier to find out more. supplier popped along, swapped our existing meters and then explained how to use the in-home display"
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Curious Shoes © Hearts & Minds
Luminate 2017
Blanche & Butch © Birds of Paradise
inspire
Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing festival ran throughout the month of October with hundreds of events and activities nationwide. Luminate is a festival for everyone and promotes lifelong creativity with a programme that explores the subject of ageing. The festival offers opportunity to see touring professional work such as theatre and films and to get to know local creative groups in your area. Luminate’s sixth festival saw exhibitions, concerts, craft sessions and much more every day during October in arts venues, community spaces and care homes across Scotland. Many existing creative groups who meet in Scotland's community centres, libraries and art spaces take part in Luminate. In Oban this year, The Rockfield Centre ran a twist on their regular new music and spoken word open mic night, with older performers taking centre stage and performing around the theme of time. Writers and musicians from the local area contributed to an energetic evening of shared talents and stories from fantasy to the everyday. In Edinburgh, LifeCare hosted a lively morning celebrating the joy of childhood. Attendees from the centre and local community shared anecdotes and photographs of growing up in the city and discussed the differences for young people and families today.
During Luminate unique events pop up which allow you to connect with and find out more about your local area. At Clydebank Museum and Art Gallery, the team behind the Singer Sewing Machine Collection led sessions making textiles to take home or donate. People of all ages, including a woman who’d previously worked in the Singer factory, enjoyed coming together to share skills, stories and record their responses and memories of the Singer collection. In Birnam, playwright Lesley Wilson worked with residents of Rivendell Care Home to present In Her Own Words, a series of verbatim stories about growing up and growing old. Performed at Birnam Arts by professional actors, Rivendell residents and members of the local community enjoyed an afternoon of shared stories travelling across time and place from the shadow of World War One to the confusion of Brexit. Lesley herself is a writer who was awarded a place at Luminate's Emerging Older Artists' Lab earlier in 2017. Each year Luminate includes touring projects that travel across Scotland. In film this year, cinemas including Dundee Contemporary Arts, Hippodrome in Bo'ness and An Lanntair, Isle of Lewis, screened titles including new release Hotel Salvation and classic western Shane. A special selection of short films by Scottish filmmakers, Luminate Short Encounters, were also screened with stories taking audiences through tales of shipbuilding in Govan to insights of a lifetime spent on the Isle of Harris.
14 Keep up to date on twitter: @LuminateScot
Dancing Across the Borders Š Eoin Carey
BED Š Viktoria Begg
inspire
In touring theatre, Birds of Paradise Theatre Company presented new production Blanche & Butch by Robert Softley Gale. The plot followed three performers, former disabled drag queens 'Heelz n Wheelz' as they reflected backstage of their new show pulling back the curtain on their lives, loves and loses. Birds of Paradise Theatre Company are a professional, disability-led theatre company in Scotland, with fully integrated BSL and audio description in this show. They rounded off their tour at Edinburgh's Summerhall with a hilarious intergenerational community cabaret, in collaboration with Luminate and LGBT Age.
Luminate audiences found plenty to enjoy as individuals, groups or families this year. Closing the month in Edinburgh, storyteller Jan Lee Brown shared stories from around the world in Spinning a Yarn at Dovecot Gallery. Inspired by Dovecot's latest exhibition, Hallowe'en tales delighted families and grandchildren.
Elsewhere in the Luminate programme accessible workshops included An Introduction to Monoprinting, a series of printmaking sessions taught in BSL led by Deaf Action, Edinburgh.
Luminate celebrates the lives of extraordinary older people and Janice Parker Projects brought the stories of three prolific dancers from the Variety Era to Edinburgh Festival Theatre in An Audience With... Attendees enjoyed an insight into the lives and experiences of these women, now in their 80s and 90s, as they came together with younger professional dancers to discuss and demonstrate dance and their experiences of both working in the profession and taking to the stage of the Empire (now Festival) Theatre.
This year's festival also saw a great range of dementia friendly events across film, craft, music, literature and theatre for people living with dementia, their carers and families. At An Talla Solais, Ullapool, three artists led a month of workshops exploring ideas of autumn where participants took part in playing with paper: printmaking, bookmaking and poetry. Touring Scotland, Curious Shoes presented by Hearts & Minds performed their dementia friendly show with music and movement and put on additional performances for care homes and groups.
In Aberdeen and Glasgow, elder community dancers from Scottish Ballet Elders, Barrowland Ballet and Beacon Arts Centre came together with professional dance artists in a workshop run by renowned American choreographer Liz Lerman. Workshops explored the thinking that accompanies the beauties and challenges of dance for all ages.
Wherever you are in Scotland you can keep an eye out for future Luminate projects to enjoy or be involved with. Sign up to Luminate's e-newsletter via www.luminatescotland.org or visit facebook.com/LuminateScotland or @LuminateScot on Twitter.
www.facebook.com/Luminate 15
, G N O BEL CONTRIBUTE, let’s achieve JOIN IN! Together, something wonderful for Scotland’s older people.
At Age Scotland, we believe that our supporters choose to give their time and money because they believe in us and in what we do to improve the lives of older people. We believe you share our values which means that donating your time and money becomes a natural expression of your support. Are we right? To enable deeper impact of our work, sharing our plans with you is a natural next step along a journey of donor engagement. Last November, we launched Thrive!, a new regular giving scheme to encourage supporters to renew commitment and stay engaged with our work and its impact. Whether you’re a long-term supporter or a new friend through Thrive! thank you.
Supporter events We look forward to welcoming everyone into the Age Scotland’s community through supporter events over the coming year. We’ve surveyed our donors to find out what events you’d like best – a tea dance, a reception and an annual lecture being some suggestions – and plans are forming.
Looking forward Below are some of the key activities in our plan for the coming year to reach out to new donors and better engage our existing supporters. If you’d like to lend your support with this important work to build for the future, we’d love to hear from you.
16 Contact the Fundraising team on 0333 32 32 400
fundraising
There are various ways you can get involved: An imaginative campaign to reach new
supporters will take effect in 2018 and we’re asking for volunteers from the wider Age Scotland community and beyond to come and be photographed as part of the project. We’d like to include people of all ages and stages in life to reflect the fact that we’re all on an ageing journey together. Please spread the word amongst your friends, family and wider networks. Those who’d like to be involved should get in touch to add their name to our list. Photography shoots will take place in February. Everyone is welcome.
We’re also equipping volunteers to give talks in community venues to help set the tone and pace of a national conversation about age and ageing – to bring the topic into sharper focus amongst the public. This is being done to inspire people to care and also because we know that donations follow vision. Resource packs have been developed so please get in touch if you’re interested in being one of our champions.
We’re currently having conversations with our donors, individually and in small groups, as preferred, to better understand your motivations for giving and to hear your stories because stories are powerful in influencing others to make a commitment to support us. Following the success of last October’s Silver Shindig, we’ll build on it for October 2018 with new elements to surprise and delight attendees. We want to raise the bar year on year to make this a sell-out event and to increase the funds raised. Tickets will be released for sale from March. If you’d like early bird notification, please get in touch now.
For all the above, you can call, email or write to Sarah Randell and Stacey Kitzinger. Age Scotland, Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR Tel: 0131 668 0366 Email: fundraising@agescotland.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Get Involved
| Keyring by the Dalbeattie Shed ughty Ferry Men’s Shed! troducing Bro In | d e h S he Jed ade by t Cats m
Funding Multiplying the Shed Effect The Dalbeattie Men’s Shed already has welldeveloped woodwork, metalwork and picture framing workshops but some shedders are unable to use rotating and sharp bladed equipment. An electronic workshop with, an Age Scotland funded, 3D printer will help these shedders to become more actively involved and included in new projects. After assembling the printer the Shed’s first commission was to print a replacement knob for a customer’s obsolescent oven where spares were unavailable. Their first design and print object was a Dalbeattie Men’s shed promotional key fob produced after they taught themselves the programming language to make it possible. As Geoff Allison, Secretary, stressed, "The average age of Dalbeattie Shedders is 69. To demonstrate that we can build from a kit an advanced electronic 3D printer and use it to make items of interest / use to the local community reinforces our contention that ‘old guys’ can not only learn new tricks but can exploit modern technology for personal and community benefit." Some shedders' manual dexterity, grip strength, cardiovascular health or eyesight make it challenging to produce products and projects using hand tools. After ‘making do’ with a donated second hand bandsaw the Jed Shed wanted to get more people included in producing items to a higher quality,
finish and complexity. An Age Scotland funded new bandsaw enabled them to do this highly effectively for example their cross Shed 'Catz 17' project to make fourteen cats will be sold by silent auction. Trevor Gallon, Chair, commented: “Without doubt, this bandsaw and the difference it has made in the Jed shed has been amazing. We have been able to work projects to a much better quality which we have sold providing us with the money we needed to replace our much used cordless power tools.”
New Shed on the Block Broughty Ferry Men's Shed officially opened their doors on 14th October. Shedders have worked tirelessly to create a warm and comfortable space for men to meet and work on projects that will benefit themselves, their families and the community. Shedders have used their practical skills and dynamism to turn a disused a table tennis hall into a Shed with a kitchen; computer room and workshop. Men of all ages signed up to become members enabling the Shed to continue making a difference to men’s health and well-being and tackling loneliness and isolation. The Shedders who have driven this project are a positive example of active aging and the enjoyment of later life. Alex Harvey, Chair, said: “We want to deal with isolation and bring people into the community. This can particularly affect people who have been bereaved, retired, or made redundant.”
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Get Involved
Regional Ambassador update Time really flies by when you are an Age Scotland Regional Ambassador! We can’t believe three years have passed since Iain Howie and Donald Reid took up the then new roles of Regional Ambassador for Dumfries and Galloway and Regional Ambassador for the Ayrshires respectively. Both will complete their term of office with the charity in December 2017. Age Scotland owes a huge amount to Iain and Donald. They have brought tremendous energy, insight, connections and practical support to our work. As well as spreading the word about Age Scotland, giving talks, visiting member groups, and advising with the planning and delivery of members’ events and our grants programmes, both Iain and Donald supported new activities in their areas building on their own personal interests, knowledge and connections. Working with the University of Glasgow Iain promoted the Death Café concept in Dumfries and Galloway providing opportunities for people to gather to drink tea and discuss the taboos round death with a view to helping us make the most of our finite lives. While in the Ayrshires, Donald championed the history of the local communities supporting some Age Scotland member to make funding applications to investigate their heritage and celebrate their remarkable histories. Thank you Iain and Donald.
Iain Howie “I found my time as an Age Scotland Ambassador to be extremely rewarding. Not only did it give a great insight to all the work the charity does for older people but I've developed many friendships with both the staff and other Regional Ambassadors which I'm confident will last into the future.”
Donald Reid “Age Scotland is special. Age Scotland is us! Over the years I have seen the real benefits of the advice, support and help provided by the charity. As I finish my 3 year stint as one of the charity’s Regional Ambassadors, I wish to thank the staff at Age Scotland. They are really a committed, helpful and positive bunch who do go the extra mile and I thank them all for that. “I will continue to be associated with and promote Age Scotland in my new role as elected member on North Ayrshire Council. Get behind our Age Scotland because it will help to make a real difference to our generation and those who follow in our footsteps in the challenging times ahead.”
YOU
Could be our next Regional Ambassador? We’d love to hear from any members who are interested in becoming an Age Scotland Regional Ambassador. Please contact the Community Development Team at Age Scotland. Tel: 0845 833 9328 Email: members@agescotland.org.uk
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News from around Scotland
Fairweather Multicultural Friendship Group
Autumn is a busy period for Age Scotland member groups with programmes and activities in full swing. Age Scotland’s community development team would like to thank all member groups for the invitations to speak at members’ meetings and events and the warm welcomes on our visits. 11 local network meetings have been held during October and November to bring members together including two new network meetings piloted in Skye and Edinburgh. Popular topics included Age Scotland’s Money Matters Roadshow, the new Veterans’ Project and discussions on the future of the concessionary bus pass as part of the Scottish Government consultation. Thank you to all our members who attended and contributed to the meetings. Here’s a wee flavour of some special activities member groups organised during October 2017.
Celebrating Older People’s Day in Dundee The 1st of October is International Day of the Older Person, and Dundee celebrated in grand style. More than 300 people took part in an Activities Fest afternoon organised by Dundee Pensioners’ Forum and Dundee Voluntary Action. There were a raft of demonstrations and Taste and Try sessions on everything from walking basketball to line dancing to
| Internation
al Day of t he Older Per
playing the ukulele. For the more competitive there were team challenges in scrabble, table tennis and walking football. Free health checks were provided and a range of organisations were on hand to offer information and advice.
Queen's Award Winners – the Fairweather Drop In Centre, in East Renfrewshire Age Scotland member group, Fairweather Multicultural Friendship Group, based in Newton Mearns, were presented with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on the 3rd October 2017. The presentations were made by the Lord Lieutenant, Guy Clark, at a civic reception held in Eastwood House. This is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work carried out in local communities. The Award was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen's coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups. The group’s work was highly praised by Deputy Lieutenant, Alison Gilchrist, who described how the group had developed over the years to cater for older people from all multicultural backgrounds, meeting for lunch, yoga sessions and educational trips around Scotland or further afield. Chairwoman, Mrs Rakhshinda Khan and, General Secretary, Mr Jagdish Singh accepted the honour on behalf of the group.
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Going local
rson in D und
ee | Age C oncern Fal kirk ce
lebrate their 70 th anniversary!
Happy Birthday Age Concern Falkirk Age Concern Falkirk celebrated their 70th birthday on 25th October 2017. The Falkirk Old People’s Welfare Committee was set up in 1947 by the Falkirk Soroptimists Club. Early activities included visiting services, chiropody and, with help from the Council and WRVS, Meals on Wheels. As membership grew so did the range of activities and the services provided. At one point there were more than 1000 members. There were hair dressing and dressmaking facilities, a games room, and a library. Activities included keep fit, dancing, a choir, and a programme of speakers, along with lunches 5 days a week. Christmas hampers were also delivered for many years. Though numbers have declined in recent years as other groups have sprung up, there are still around 100 members of Age Concern Falkirk and the small, hard working committee organises theatre trips, day outings and an annual lunch for members. Around 70 members attended the celebrations led by chairperson, Margaret Greenhill.
Scottish Borders Diversity Week, 15th - 21st October 2017 “This was a week of many and varied events around the Borders to celebrate, value and enjoy the diversity of our communities. I was invited to participate in the planning group to represent Age Scotland and
older people in our area. Highlights included the Smash the Stigma discussion on mental health issues at Borders College; a workshop on care issues for older people from the LGBT community; and, the Multi-faith Cafe - a cup of tea and a chance to chat about differing beliefs and religions whilst making new friends and learning something new. There was also an intergenerational tea dance, and Walking up an Appetite - health walks in Berwickshire where the Polish regiment with their bear, Wojtek, were based at the end of World War II and which inspired the book written by Aileen Orr. Following this walk Polish food and drinks were served. The Diversity Week celebrations culminated in Galashiels where there were many information stands provided by national and local organisations. The Age Scotland stand was staffed by our two Allied Health Professionals, Yolanda and Jenny, and they also provided a Body Boosting Bingo workshop. It was a busy, interesting and exciting week of activities around the Scottish Borders.” - Diana Findlay - Age Scotland Regional Ambassador, Scottish Borders
0333 323 2400 members@agescotland.org.uk
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Direct impact!
Challenge Events It’s not where you finish – it’s why you participate! Everyone, whatever our age and stage, has a stake in ensuring that older people lead fulfilling lives – because we’re all on the ageing journey. If you’re able, please consider committing to a Challenge Event to help raise funds and awareness for Age Scotland. Previous participants tell us they’ve been on voyages of self-discovery and had fun in the process. Adrenaline rushing abseils, challenge treks, exhilarating sky dives, marathons and fun runs are all up for grabs, so take your pick.
Be inspired by others Lesley Black recently completed a trek of Machu Picchu. Alongside online sponsorship from friends and family she obtained support from local businesses in return for having their logo on the t-shirts she wore throughout the challenge. “Macchu Picchi is somewhere I have always wanted to visit so when the opportunity arose to take part and raise funds for Age Scotland I couldn’t resist. I wanted to support Age Scotland because they provide such valuable services for our older people around Scotland.”
Funds raised make a tangible difference, improving the wellbeing of older people around Scotland. Our support of community groups creates places and activities that bring people together and give them a regular opportunity to connect with others. “I so look forward to coming here. I have made lots of friends and the club brings friendship and laughter into my life.” Brenda, Duns Senior Citizens Club Member Similarly, our Community Connecting initiative, which evolved from the work of the Helpline, highlights the importance of human interaction to wellbeing. Callers who feel lonely and isolated are given practical support to engage with others in their area which has turned around the lives of those who’ve benefitted.
Important tips and pointers for you • Once you’ve decided on you challenge event, spread the word. Share your story via social media. Tell your colleagues. Contact your local paper – ahead of the challenge rather than when you return. • It’s easy to set-up an online account at Just Giving (www.justgiving.com) although our Challenge Event Support Pack explains how in simple-tofollow steps if you’re not sure. • Remember to take photographs of your Challenge Event and share them. • Speak to your employer about match funding – many will match what you raise, doubling your total. • Ensure your sponsors who pay tax sign a Gift Aid declaration as this will boost your funds by 25%. • Please ensure that your fundraising is done ethically. Ask us if you’re not sure. • And most of all, have fun!
What now? For a copy of our new Challenge Event pack, which includes a list of forthcoming events, info & advice, please contact Stacey Kitzinger on 0333 323 2400 or stacey.kitzinger@agescotland.org.uk. Stacey will keep in regular contact with you to support and encourage you throughout your journey. Machu Picchu ining for a r t k c y Bla Lesle
Thank you!
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fundraising
Silver S hindig
The Silver Shindig Last October, around 120 men and women gathered for a fun-filled evening of food, friendship and fundraising at Age Scotland’s third Silver Shindig – now established as an annual fixture to raise funds to support the charity’s work. A sea of silver balloons helped set the celebratory tone while auctioneer Scott Wilson’s lively and engaging approach fuelled laughter and camaraderie. Around £15,000 was raised on the night and dancing, with music from the Scottish Ceilidh Band, continued late into the evening. Chief Executive, Brian Sloan, highlighted the extent of loneliness and isolation that prevails amongst older people and called on attendees to play their part in bringing about a brighter future. We’re enormously grateful to the generous contributors who gave high-value experiences including private dining and tickets for premier sporting events to the auction and raffle and to the individuals who gave their time in helping with the preparation. Thank you one and all: • Badger & Co • Barbara Weir • Baroness Helen Liddell • Big Hearts / Heart of Midlothian FC • Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World
• Former Scottish First Minister, Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale • Gillette • GMP Print Ltd • Harvey Nichols • Ice Factor • In Touch restaurant • Janet Rae • Marion McMurdo • Netball Scotland • Phil Anderton • Prestonfield House Hotel • Quintin Jardine Scottish Rugby • Stobo Castle Health Spa • Susan Ross • The Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club • Venture Photography
So what next? Ideas are taking shape for a Shindig in October 2018 and we’ll announce our plans and release tickets by March. If you’d like early bird notification of details or want to reserve tickets now please get in touch. Contact Sarah Randell or Stacey Kitzinger on 0333 32 32 400 or fundraising@agescotland.org.uk.
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DONATION FORM
I would like to give a donation to Age Scotland, for use wherever the need is greatest
I have enclosed a cheque for £
I have set up a regular direct debit for £
payable to Age Scotland
to commence on (dd/mm/yy) 01 /
per month / year (delete as appropriate) /
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Setting up a Direct Debit Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to donate via Direct Debit. Please send your completed form to: Fundraising Team, Age Scotland, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.
DIRECT Debit
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Instruction to your Bank or Building Society: Please pay Age Scotland Direct Debits from the account detailed in the instruction, subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that the instruction may remain with Age Scotland and, if so, details will be passed to my Bank/Building Society.
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IMPORTANT: Protecting your personal data The information you provide is held in accordance with Data Protection legislation, stored securely and never shared with other organisations or individuals beyond Age Scotland. Age Scotland is a registered Scottish charity (SC010100) and company limited by guarantee (153343). Age Scotland, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR
www.agescotland.org.uk 0333 323 2400 fundraising@agescotland.org.uk