Advantage 38 web

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

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News

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Calendar

p 8 Inform p 14 Interview p 16 Get Involved p 18 Going Local p 22 Inspire p 26 Clubs’ Corner p 27 Soap Box

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: 0845 833 9313

Write to:

Advantage magazine is part-funded by grant support

from the Scottish Government. Age Scotland aims

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

to ensure that information in this magazine is accurate at the 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.

ISSN 1747-4515

Foreword

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e ecutiv x E f e i h C Brian Sloan, Hi Everyone, From our cover you will have noticed that this issue has a touch of celebrity glamour. But the focus of our exclusive interview with Esther Rantzen on page 14 isn’t her career as a broadcaster. Rather it’s on how her personal experience of loneliness led her to found The Silver Line, a service offering information, friendship and advice to older people, all day, every day, through a single phone number - 0800 4 70 80 90.

She also talks about The Silver Line’s partnership with Age Scotland, which in November saw the launch of Silver Line Scotland. This combines the expertise of Age Scotland’s information and advice team with The Silver Line’s telephone befriending specialism to offer a better helpline service than either charity could provide alone. You can read about the new service on page 13.

copy of Advantage. I hope you enjoy the attractive design, but also that the information in it relieves seasonal worries and helps you save money. Not every winter woe can be sorted with advice. If, like me, the soaring cost of home energy is making your blood boil, I would ask you to take action in support of our Warm Homes Campaign. You can read about this on page 16.

The timing for Silver Line Scotland couldn’t be better, as we know that for older people who are lonely the winter months can be particularly hard. Winter’s cold days and dark nights can also bring worries about home heating and safety, which is why we’ve included a free Hot Tips Calendar with every postal

Bye for now

Our Annual Review is also enclosed with this edition, and I hope that you find it of interest. April 2012 to March 2013 was a difficult year for the Charity, but after taking some tough decisions, we’re now ready to meet future challenges and develop our services for, and in partnership with, Scotland’s older people.

Have a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Brian Sloan

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arey) photo: Eoin C r Blokes ( fo l l e rr u B

Dancing Days (photo: Neil

Luminate lights up autumn Now at the end of its second year, Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing festival has once again been a huge success, with more than 350 events, performances and activities taking place across Scotland during October. From performances and talks, to exhibitions and workshops, audiences all over the country were treated to a wealth of creative opportunities.

The 2013 festival programme was incredibly diverse, with artists, cultural organisations and community groups shining a light on our creativity as we age, in many interesting and engaging ways. This year, Luminate commissioned two new pieces of work celebrating creative ageing. In Shetland, artists Roxane Permar and Susan Timmins worked with their local communities to share stories of the islands’ role in the Cold War. These reflections became the basis for Recount, specially-made textiles decorating the Royal Observer Corps bunkers that made Shetland NATO’s most northerly line of defence in this unique conflict.

The second festival commission was a project from Live Music Now, whose musicians worked with older people in the Western Isles collecting memories, songs and experiences of island heritage and culture.

These were passed to composer Bill Sweeney who used them as the creative springboard for The Luminate Suite, a brand new suite of songs which

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premiered during Luminate in the communities which were the source of its inspiration.

Luminate’s touring programme of films and performances saw the festival span venues from the Scottish Borders to Stornoway. Theatre Ad Infinitum brought wordless mask and movement theatre in the form of Translunar Paradise, while Couldn’t Care Less, a co-production by Edinburgh’s Strange Theatre and Plutôt La Vie, offered an insight into the lives of those suffering from dementia and their carers.

Taking part was also a big part of this year’s festival with many groups and cultural organisations offering the chance to try a new creative activity. The Burrell Collection in Glasgow ran ‘Burrell for Blokes,’ a stone carving class aimed at older men, and Edinburgh’s Stills Gallery offered specially designed workshops in darkroom and digital photography.

In Fife, the newly-formed Fife Performance Ensemble undertook a project that brought older performers – amateurs, professionals and complete beginners – together to explore memories, music and moves from Kirkcaldy’s 1950s dance halls.

Dancing Days was presented as a work-in-progress in Kirkcaldy during this year’s Luminate and the project will continue to run into 2014.

Luminate is already working towards yet another packed programme for 2014. Sign up for their e-newsletter at www.luminatescotland.org to be the first to hear more.

Sign up for e-news at www.agescotland.org.uk

news

Charity chief warns of lost referendum year In October Age Scotland Chief Executive Brian Sloan called on Scotland’s parties to make sure pressing issues for older people are not neglected in the run up to the referendum. The call came as the Charity launched the 2013 edition of Mind the Gap, its annual report assessing Government’s performance on the big issues for later life.

Speaking at the ‘Scotland 2020: Realising the opportunities of an ageing population’ conference in Edinburgh he said: “We fought very hard to get a powerful devolved Scottish Parliament and Government, and its powers are increasing via the second Scotland Act. Demographic change and fiscal consolidation are going to be increasing factors, and we need to ensure we are using the time we have now to address the people’s business.

“If, one year from now, we have invested all our time and energy in the referendum debate and it hasn’t done anything to tackle discrimination or injustice, it will be not only an opportunity missed but will store up more problems for us, whichever constitutional architecture will have responsibility for it.”

The Mind the Gap report finds that there has been progress on some issues since the 2012 edition,

Mind the Gap: including older people Age Scotland’s feeling safer out-doors public policy review 2012/13 after dark, and more of them participating in sport. However absolute pensioner poverty remains static at 16 per cent and fuel poverty among single pensioner households has increased from 55 per cent to 56 per cent.

The picture with regard to health and social care is mixed, with patient satisfaction with the NHS broadly unchanged, however an increase in the number of patients whose discharge from hospital was delayed by more than 6 weeks.

Brian Sloan said: “Given the scale of the challenge posed by a rapidly ageing population, and the comparatively low baseline in some areas such as healthy life expectancy, progress overall is far too slow.”

You can download the Mind the Gap report at http://bit.ly/PolicyPublications or request a copy on 0845 833 0200.

A £1 million boost for community transport A new £1million community minibus fund has been announced by Transport Minister Keith Brown. The fund, which is available for this financial year, will help community transport operators buy new vehicles to expand their services or replace older vehicles.

Mr Brown said: “This will provide much-needed financial assistance to operators who, as part of the Third Sector, run vital services for remote communities and vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.”

“This is a one-off fund for now, but I expect it to provide valuable insights into the sector’s needs which we can use to develop future support as finances permit.”

The fund will be jointly administered by the Community Transport Association (CTA) and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

John MacDonald, the CTA’s Director for Scotland, said “This is great news for community transport operators as funding of vehicles is one of their biggest concerns.” John Downie, Director of Public Affairs at the SCVO, said: “We’re looking forward to seeing this funding be invested in Scotland’s community transport fleet and the big difference it continued...

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news sustain community transport and enable its development in response to an ageing population. ... £1 million boost continued will make to the lives of older people, people with disabilities and people living in rural areas who don’t have access to a car or public transport.”

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland Chief Executive, said: “We welcome this fund, which will go some way to addressing chronic under-investment in community transport in recent years. However a one-off grant pot does not represent a long-term strategy to

“The Scottish Government has so far rejected our proposal to include community transport within the national concessionary travel scheme, which we believe would represent value for money as preventative spending, and address iniquity in the current bus pass scheme. If it knows of an alternative way to secure the future of community transport in Scotland we would be happy to hear of it. However so far we’re still waiting to be convinced that there’s a plan to ensure the sector thrives.”

Hats off to knitters across Scotland Knitters in Scotland stitched 46,000 little woolly hats this year for the Big Knit fundraising campaign. The hats were popped on innocent smoothie bottles for sale in stores including Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Boots in November, with 25p donated by innocent to Age Scotland for each one sold.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the Big Knit, Age Scotland held a competition for ‘Most Creative Hat.’ Playwright and Luminate festival star Sylvia Dow had the difficult task of judging the many fantastic entries. She awarded first place to Yolanda Stolte from Edinburgh, second to Helen Little from Lockerbie and third to Sandra Smith from Dunnet.

Yo id by Squ

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Stolte landa

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re grateful that so many knitters across Scotland got behind the Big Knit - this campaign couldn’t happen without their support. The funds raised will go a long way towards supporting local projects and services which are vital in helping older people through this difficult time of year.”

Age Scotland and innocent are asking people to recycle their old knitted hats by posting them to Age Scotland - ‘Hats Reunited’, Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR, so that they can be reused next year to help raise even more money for people in later life.

Royal baby booties by Hele

n Little

Saltire b y Sandra

For news and views visit www.agescotland.wordpress.com

Smith

calendar news Festive holiday Age Scotland’s Edinburgh office will be closed between 25th December and 4th January (inclusive.) Silver Line Scotland - 0800 4 70 80 90 - will be open throughout the festive holiday period.

January 2014 Various Preparation for retirement courses One and two day courses at various venues in Glasgow between January and March.

Cost £150. For further information and to book contact the Scottish Pre-Retirement Council.

Call 0141 332 9427 or visit www.sprc.org.uk.

February 2014 3-7 Cold Homes Week A week of campaign action to persuade the UK Government to tackle the scandal of fuel poverty. See page 16 for details.

13 Afore ye go - A free seminar on planning for later life: Galashiels For venue and programme information and to book call 0845 833 0200 or email info@agescotland.org.uk.

19-20 The Gathering Scotland’s third sector convention at the SECC Glasgow.

Visit www.gatherscotland.org.uk or call 0141 559 5019

March 2014 TBC Age Scotland National Housing Conference Perth (to be confirmed). Free (lunch included) With Scottish Government support we’re hosting our first National Housing Conference.

This will feature a range of organisations uniquely positioned to offer insight into the support, services and advice available to enable you to get the most from your home. From repairs and heating to housing options, there will be something to interest everyone.

The event is also an opportunity to inform Age Scotland – and the Government – about housing issues which matter to you. We hope it will be a springboard for development of an ongoing programme of conferences across the country in future years, enabling communication with older people on housing matters to be as widespread and local as possible.

For details and to register an interest in attending call Greg McCracken on 0845 833 9332 or email greg.mccracken@agescotland.org.uk. For more about housing issues see page 8.

April 2014 10 Afore ye go - A free seminar on planning for later life: Coldstream For venue and programme information and to book call 0845 833 0200 or email info@agescotland.org.uk.

Email your events to advantage@agescotland.org.uk

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Is your home the perfect fit?

Age Scotland’s Heather Smith and Greg McCracken consider housing options for older people.

What you want and need from your home will be personal to you. Your options will depend on your financial situation, the care and support you currently, or expect to, need, and what housing options are available in the area where you want to live.

Planning for how you will meet your housing needs in later life should ideally be done alongside planning finances for retirement. So if you are already retired, there’s no time like now for thinking about it. Try, as far as possible, to anticipate your needs so that, should a time of crisis arrive, you aren’t forced into making a choice against your preferences. People with long-term conditions can ask what to expect as their condition develops, and plan for future housing, or home adaptations, accordingly.

Think about who you will be living with. Ask yourself how much space you will need, so that there is room for everyone you will be living with to enjoy a good balance between company, care, independence and time to themselves.

Consider the location of your home. How easy is it for you to get to amenities and services such as shops, banks, doctors, dentists, opticians and chemists? Are you able to get out and enjoy leisure and social opportunities? Are there good transport links where you live? Could you manage if you were no longer able to drive? Are you more at home in a rural or urban environment? Are neighbours friendly, indifferent, or a problem?

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Ask yourself how secure you feel at home. If you don’t, is it because of an insecure neighbourhood, or because of vulnerable doors, windows and grounds?

The Crime Prevention Officer at your local police office will be able to advise on safety devices and procedures that you can put in place to increase the security of your property.

Money can be an important consideration. Can you afford to keep your home comfortably warm and in good repair? If your personal finances are a problem, a benefits entitlement check could identify additional income for you, and you may be eligible for free help in cutting fuel bills through Home Energy Scotland. If you are paying for care services, find out whether some or all of this could be paid for under the Scottish Government’s Free Personal and Nursing Care policy. Ask your Local Authority if there is a local small repairs service such as Care and Repair that can assist at low or no cost.

Find topic fact sheets at www.agescotland.org.uk/publications

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floors), more space for any equipment you need to manage a disability, and more opportunities to meet people at local groups or in the community. If you are considering retirement or sheltered housing, check the details of support available in each individual complex, as this can vary.

ar with i l i m a f g n i Be ment n o r i v n e e your hom if you elp h n e v e n a c visual a , p o l e v e have, or d t or dementia.” impairmen

If your care needs can’t be met at home, a care home may be a more appropriate choice. And if your carer isn’t well enough to look after you, you may be both healthier and happier with more support.

Think about your home’s layout. If there are stairs, can you manage these safely? Age Scotland partner Age UK publishes a Home Safety Check leaflet which helps you to identify common risks and solutions (see Directory.) If routine tasks are becoming more difficult, you can ask your Local Authority for a Community Care Assessment, or an assessment for adaptations which could help you. Once you have looked into what’s available, consider whether your care needs are being met effectively. Do you have regular carers you can develop a good relationship with? Do you have family or friends nearby for company and support? If you have a carer, are they getting the support they need?

Heather Smith is Age Scotland’s Information Development Manager. Greg McCracken is the Charity’s Policy Officer specialising in housing matters.

Directory Age Scotland publishes factsheets about buying retirement housing, looking for rented housing and funding repairs, improvements and adaptations.

It can also provide copies of partner Age UK’s Home Safety Check leaflet.

Visit www.agescotland.org.uk/publications to download these or call 0800 4 70 80 90 to request postal copies. We can also offer information and advice on specific housing enquiries in partnership with Shelter Scotland, and check your benefits entitlements.

Should I stay or should I go?

The two main housing options available are: staying in your own home, perhaps with adaptations and care provided; or moving to another, more suitable, property.

Housing Options Scotland

Staying in your own home has obvious benefits. You’re surrounded by a lifetime’s collection of possessions and memories, you may have friends and family nearby to help, you may have a garden, and you can keep any pets living with you. Being familiar with your home environment can even help if you have, or develop, a visual impairment or dementia.

Options for moving to another property include; buying dedicated retirement accommodation, sheltered accommodation, moving in with family and moving into care home accommodation. The benefits of moving to more supported, or more suitable, housing can include: accommodation on one level and with no stairs (or with lifts between

A charity that specialises in helping disabled people to find the right house in the right place. For information about its service call 0131 247 1400 or visit www.housingoptionsscotland.org.uk.

Police Scotland For police advice on home safety and security call 101, Police Scotland’s new single non-emergency contact number.

Home Energy Helpline Scotland Call 0808 808 2282 for energy saving advice and information about Scottish Government home energy assistance grants.

For home insurance call 0845 833 0758

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Where there’s a will there’s a way

Without a will your last wishes may not be respected, so don’t put off making one says the Age Scotland information and advice team.

check your contract carefully as these firms are not regulated by the Law Society like solicitors.

Why make a will? In Scotland there are legal rules for dividing property that apply where someone dies without one, so the consequences are arguably short of disastrous for traditional families, but they won’t necessarily reflect your wishes. The absence of a will can lead to uncertainty, dispute and legal expenses as it may be necessary to go to Court in order to have matters resolved. Why put your family through this?

• Who do you want to inherit your estate (the beneficiaries)?

Making a will needn’t be costly or stressful. Most wills are not complex and solicitors may be able to give a ‘fixed fee’ quote before starting work. It’s a good idea to shop around before choosing a solicitor. You can write your own will if you so wish, however a will must be very clear, and those written without a solicitor may not be clear enough. Sorting out any mistakes can be very expensive.

If you decide to use a pre-printed will form, check that it applies to Scotland, as the rules in England and Scotland are very different. If you use an agency other than a solicitor to write your will you should

If you visit a solicitor you will be asked questions such as:

• Do you want to leave specific sums of money or specific items (such as furniture or jewellery) to particular people?

• What do you want to happen if a beneficiary dies before you do?

• Who do you want to sort out your Estate when you die (executors)?

• If you have children under 16, who do you want to look after them?

• Who do you want to look after your pets?

• Do you want to make any particular arrangements for your funeral?

• Do you wish to make any charitable donations?

In Scottish law, if your will totally disinherits your spouse or descendants they may be able to challenge this.

10 To find out about legacy gifts to Age Scotland call 0845 833 9358

inform to a e d i d o o g It’s a our y e t a d p u review and rly if you get ula will, partic et married, enter divorced, g partnership, or into a civil en.” have childr You will need to appoint an executor. Executors ‘wind-up’ your estate, distributing any assets in accordance with your will. An executor can also be a beneficiary of the will. Your will should name your executors and include their addresses. Think carefully about who is best for this role, for example it may be difficult for someone living abroad or who has poor health to act as your executor. An executor needs to be able to cope with day-to-day matters to do with your home as well as handling the business of administering the estate.

When you have made your will, you could keep it at home with other important papers, leave it with your solicitor or lodge it in a bank. Banks usually charge for this service. Where solicitors make a will for clients, they normally keep the original and send you a copy. Solicitors commonly lodge the will with the Registers of Scotland (Deeds Register) for safekeeping. You are entitled to the original copy of your will if you wish to keep it. Your executors will need access to your original will when you die.

Your will is your property and you can change it at any time for any reason. It’s a good idea to review and update your will, particularly if you get divorced, get married, enter into a civil partnership, or have children.

You can make minor changes to your existing will in a separate legal document called a Codicil but you should get advice to ensure that the changes you wish to make are very clear, and that the codicil forms part of your existing will.

Your will lets everyone know your wishes for after your death, but it is also a good idea to set up a Power of Attorney so that if you become incapacitated you have given someone you trust the power to make decisions about your finances and welfare.

Directory Silver Line Scotland – 0800 4708090 Call for information and advice on making a will.

The following Age Scotland free factsheets relevant to end of life planning can also be requested.

• Making your will • Dealing with someone’s estate • Arranging a funeral • Obtaining and paying for legal advice You can also download our factsheets at www.agescotland.org.uk/publications.

HM Revenue and Customs Visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/inheritancetax/intro/ basics.htm for information about Inheritance Tax. Solicitors for Older People Scotland Solicitors for Older People Scotland (SOPS) is a group of Scottish Law firms dedicated to providing legal services to older people in a caring and sensitive way, and working in partnership with Age Scotland.

For details call Age Scotland on 0845 833 0200 or email sops@agescotland.org.uk.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board For information about local Solicitors who operate the scheme call 0131 226 7061.

Call 0845 833 0200 to find local solicitors 11

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Busting bus pass fraud With fraud in the National Concessionary Travel (NCT) scheme recently hitting the headlines, Transport Scotland Business Manager Alistair Cairns explains how the agency is tackling the problem.

Tackling fraud and misuse is a fundamental part of managing the NCT Scheme. Transport Scotland’s Concessionary Travel Unit has saved the public purse millions of pounds since 2006 and the two recent high profile cases, which led to an Operator being heavily fined and losing his licence, and in a separate case three drivers being jailed, is only the tip of the iceberg in its work to protect the scheme.

Most bus journeys are recorded electronically using Smart technology, ensuring Bus Operators can only claim for actual journeys. In the early days of the scheme a number of Operators claiming ‘phantom journeys’ went out of business because they could no longer inflate their passenger numbers claimed.

Bus users often express concerns that the details printed on their tickets are different from the stops they use; a complaint known as ‘over-staging.’ This is a complex problem because most bus operators cluster a number of stops into one ‘fare stage.’ If you think a driver has registered your fare incorrectly, phone our fraud hotline on 0800 328 5690 with the details.

Electronic recording allows us to check your journey

and if the operator is at fault, payment is adjusted.

Electronic monitoring, combined with the use of on-bus survey teams and comprehensive audit and claim validation procedures, means that any driver or Operator who doesn’t follow the rules can be identified and challenged by us. All aspects of concessionary journey recording are assessed by the team. Currently Transport Scotland has a major focus on the recording of Companion Card journeys with particular emphasis on eliminating double claims where no companion is present. It also has processes in place to actively ‘hot-list’ lost or stolen concession cards so they won’t work if someone tries to use them.

In October we attended a meeting between Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Transport and Veterans, and the Clackmannanshire Older Adults Forum. The group, which was concerned by claims in a national newspaper that concession travel fraud went unchallenged, came away reassured that we take fraud very seriously, make large savings by actively addressing it, and use the full force of the law against anyone who tries to abuse the system.

Transport Scotland is happy to talk to older adult groups about how it delivers and protects the NCT scheme. For more information please call the Concessionary Travel Unit on 0141 272 7168 or email freebus@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk.

12 For news and views visit www.agescotland.wordpress.com

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Silver Line Scotland is waiting for your call Silver Line Scotland is a free*, national helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Katrina Coutts introduces the new service.

Silver Line Scotland is delivered by Age Scotland in partnership with The Silver Line. Our aim is to assist older people to be happy and healthy, supporting them to live independently at home for as long as possible, and helping to overcome the barriers of isolation and loneliness.

This partnership means that, via just one phone number – 0800 4 70 80 90 – older people across Scotland can access both Age Scotland’s independent, confidential advice services (Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm) along with the 24/7 befriending services of The Silver Line.

Age Scotland has a trained team of paid staff and volunteers who specialise in answering enquiries from older people, their friends, families and carers.

Whether your question is about community care, tax, pensions, benefits or any other issue, they will find an answer. Age Scotland’s information and advice team is ready to help from 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday. Anyone calling outside these hours looking for information and advice will be able to explain their problem and Age Scotland’s advice team will call them back as soon as they can.

Age Scotland’s information and advice team can also be contacted by Textphone on 0845 226 Canal 5851 (Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm). Telephone Caledonian interpretation is also available.

Callers looking for a chat, whatever time of the day or night, will be able to speak to someone 24 hours a day – this could be about what you’ve been doing, what’s important to you or even just what you’ve been watching on the television.

If you would like to receive a regular phone call or email from a Silver Line Friend, this can be arranged too. Alternatively you can join a Silver Circle, and take part in regular conference calls on topics that interest you. Silver Line Scotland is also recruiting home based volunteers to support the telephone befriending part of the service.

Katrina Coutts is Age Scotland’s Communications and Marketing Manager.

Silver Line Scotland: 0800 4 70 80 90 *Some mobile phone operators may charge.

Call 118 202 Directory Enquiries and donate 9p for each 40p call 13

interview

From ChildLine to Silver Line Journalist and television presenter Esther Rantzen CBE is Chair and Founder of The Silver Line helpline. Doug Anthoney spoke to her about her hopes for the service, and its partnership with Age Scotland.

“We know from the experience of ChildLine that it is sometimes difficult to talk about serious problems like loneliness or abuse,” says Esther Rantzen, who helped found that service in the 1980s. “So with The Silver Line, we are saying to older people that you can ring us up about anything.”

The UK-wide launch of The Silver Line follows successful piloting of the service in North West England and the Isle of Man. “In the pilot we had people ringing up to ask what we do,” says Esther.

“But by at the end of the conversation they would reveal that they are desperately lonely and would love the opportunity to speak to someone.”

For Esther it’s vitally important that the service, which offers information, friendship and advice, is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. “We get very important calls in the early hours of the morning, on Sunday mornings, and on Christmas day. People can be sleepless, and with Sunday and Christmas dedicated to family they can feel particularly lonely on these days.” One story from the pilot is of a woman caring for a husband with dementia. “She called at 3am as she needed to talk to someone about how she felt after a day that had been particularly tough, but not so bad that she wanted to call the Samaritans.” And among

oined us for Esther j

a Silver Line workshop in May

the many letters Esther has received has been one from “an intelligent and sensitive woman who said her life is pointless and that she is a waste of space.

She particularly dreads winter evenings, as when the nights draw in she finds herself speaking to the television.”

The Silver Line is not just a number people can call in a time of crisis. “We learned from the pilot that some people really enjoy speaking to someone on a regular basis, and that a Silver Line friendship can transform their life,” says Esther. “They say that being able to talk to someone who is genuinely interested in them makes them feel valued and gives them confidence. So as a result of contacting The Silver Line, one woman went on to join a book club, and we also spurred a man to go out and buy a new guitar.”

The inspiration to found The Silver Line came from Esther’s personal experience. “Living alone for the first time at age of 71 I realised that, even though I had quite a good life, coming home to a dark flat with no-one to make tea for is pretty lonely.

“I’ve heard it said that loneliness is having plenty of people to do something with, but nobody to do

14 Call Silver Line Scotland 0800 4 70 80 90

interview

With Fo od Trai n

Friends

With Silve r Line Chief

Executive Sophie Andrews and Age

nothing with.” She is acutely aware of the isolation that many carers feel as “you don’t have to be alone to be lonely.”

But while loneliness is widespread, Esther feels that there are barriers that make it difficult for people who are lonely to ask for help. “Many older people are determined not to be a burden, and they will often say that they know there are people far worse off than they are,” she says. “There is definitely a stigma attached to loneliness; admitting to it can feel a bit like admitting that you are unlikeable.”

Esther’s believes that The Silver Line can learn from the experience of ChildLine to overcome such barriers. “At ChildLine we say to young people who get in touch ‘do you realise that this isn’t your fault?’ I feel that we should say the same to older people who call us. We also need to get across the message that older people are a treasure to be prized, and that there is no sell by date for people after which you go on a rubbish dump.”

For Esther the problem is made worse by attitudes towards age in society. “One reason people lose confidence is because they are treated without respect,” she says. “Older people don’t see themselves featured enough in the media. It’s very

lo rian S cutive B e x E f ie h Scotland C

an

important that older people have role models like Judy Dench and David Attenborough; people who retain their sense of adventure and are clearly at the top of their game.” And while “not everyone has their health and energy, everyone has a value.”

In Scotland The Silver Line is working in partnership with Age Scotland to deliver Silver Line Scotland (see page 13 for details of the Silver Line Scotland service.) Esther recalls how this partnership came about. “I went up to meet Age Scotland Chief Executive Brian Sloan. The idea for a partnership came from him, and it was such a brilliant one as Scotland’s laws and systems are slightly different and Age Scotland’s telephone advisers are experts in this.” Esther is “hugely enthusiastic” about the partnership. “I have the greatest respect for the work of Age Scotland’s dynamic team and am delighted to be working with it.”

With phone lines for the new service now open, Esther’s message for older people in Scotland is this.

“Scotland, and dare I say the UK, needs you. You are a tremendous resource, and if Silver Line Scotland can help you to feel valued and confident then it’s achieved its aim.”

Text AGES10 £5 to 70070 and donate £5 to Age Scotland 15

Get Involved

Get involved!

Write to your MP at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Ask that their party commits to using carbon tax funding to make people’s homes warmer, and explain why this matters to you.

Alternatively you can send your MP an e-message at http://bit.ly/warmhomesscotland.

We’re keen to hear from groups that would be interested in taking part in Cold Homes Week, February 3rd to 7th. Plans are still being finalised, but we anticipate that knitting will feature in some of the campaign actions; an opportunity to put these needles to good use!

Join our call for warm homes With winter here and home energy prices soaring again we’re calling for action to stop older people enduring misery in cold homes. Older households remain those most likely to experience fuel poverty, which is associated with poor health and excess winter deaths.

Age Scotland is part of the Energy Bill Revolution coalition calling on the UK Government to use its carbon taxes on business to bring millions of people

For more information: email advantage@agescotland.org.uk or call the campaigns team on 0845 833 0200. out of fuel poverty. This money would be enough to pay for energy efficiency measures in at least nine million UK homes over the next 15 years, helping all of the households currently living in fuel poverty.

It would not only protect the health of millions of older people during the cold months, but also cut energy bills by £400 a year for the average home, create employment and alleviate pressure on the NHS during the winter months.

Ask your questions on the independence referendum With the countdown to the September 2014 independence referendum now well under-way, Advantage is offering readers the opportunity to put their questions to both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns.

Questions can be submitted up until 28th February 2014, by email, telephone, or in writing. Each campaign will be sent an identical list of questions, and their responses will be published side by side in the June edition of Advantage.

Wherever possible questions will be presented in the form we receive them, however should we receive similar questions on a topic we may need to edit these into a single questions. If we receive lots of responses we may also need to prioritise issues which are the most popular question choices.

Get involved!

Tell us your referendum questions By phone: 0845 833 0200 (ask for the communications team) By email: advantage@agescotland.org.uk By post: Advantage, Age Scotland, Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh, EH9 1PR.

16 Take action at www.agescotland.org.uk/campaign

Get Involved

Campaign update

ing ll Wait i t S s i b Ferniegair Pensioners Clu

A huge ‘thank you’ to all campaign supporters who added their name to the ‘Still Waiting’ petition. The signatures we have gathered - more than 5000 – will be presented to Transport and Veterans Minister Keith Brown MSP in December.

For new Advantage readers, ‘Still Waiting’ is Age Scotland’s campaign on behalf of older people who are isolated because they are unable to use mainstream bus services. We’re calling for action to ensure that, in every part of Scotland, alternative community transport services are available to meet their needs. Due to historic under-investment in community transport, many older people who require a door to door transport service either don’t have one in their area, or have to ration use of their local scheme because of cost or high demand.

We believe that the best way to change this is bring community transport within the National Concessionary Travel (NCT) scheme, so that older people who need it can use the service for free with their bus pass, and service providers have a more reliable long-term source of funding.

So far the campaign has put the transport problems faced by many older people high on the political agenda. 38 MSPs have backed it, including all opposition leaders, and there has been a Parliamentary inquiry into how community transport can be supported.

The Scottish Government has now established a

one-off grant fund of £1 million for community minibus replacement, and will commission further research into community transport.

But there’s work still to be done. Scottish Ministers say that the cost of including community transport in the NCT scheme would too great given our ageing population. We say that, given our ageing population, the cost of inaction is even greater, as older people who become isolated from their community are more likely to suffer ill health and need residential or hospital care.

We will continue to challenge the Scottish Government to find a lasting solution to isolation caused by lack of access to transport, and will seek to bring the political parties together to agree action now, not after the independence referendum in September 2014.

Get involved!

While the petition is now closed, you can still support the campaign by writing to your MSPs or sending them an e-message at: www.agescotland.org.uk/stillwaiting.

Join us on www.facebook.com/agescotland 17

going local

news from t he

west

Your local Age Scotland team Linda Anderson (Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire) 01355 279 929 Charlie Murphy (Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde) 0141 427 5145 ors Together volunteer Jean at the fashion show am with Seni e t st e W Our

Active ageing now in fashion A DIY Assembly The West Region Assembly was held on 23rd October and, although West Network members have always been consulted and involved, this year was the first that the entire event was pulled together and chaired by Network members.

Rhona Young from Clydebank Seniors Forum chaired a fascinating day that included a presentation from Professor Mike Danson of Heriot Watt University on the economic contribution of older people, entertainment by Dance House, and four workshops around poverty, technology, reminiscing and campaigning. Jeanette Pieper of East Kilbride Seniors Forum said: “I attended a workshop led by exRadio Clyde DJ Dave Marshall about the ‘Yesterday Once More’ reminiscence project. It was great fun remembering old songs and many other memories from the old days.”

Professor Danson said: “What a stimulating day and audience. I was very encouraged by the level and depth of the discussion.”

If you would like to be involved in the Network please contact Linda or Charlie (details by picture.)

South Lanarkshire groups Seniors Together and forward@fifty excelled themselves yet again with their annual event for older people in the area. The Active Ageing Festival took place on 9th October in three separate locations in Hamilton: Hamilton Water Palace, the Low Parks Museum and Hamilton Town House. Following an official opening by Depute Provost Pam Clearie almost 1000 local older people took part in the various festival activities, including a full conference, aqua fit, line dancing, pottery and arts and crafts. In addition, a Trade Fair in the Town House attracted local retailers and businesses, on-stage entertainments ran throughout the day, and there was an hourly raffle. The festival’s last entertainment was a fashion show courtesy of Age Scotland’s Hamilton Shop, involving volunteers from the shop, Seniors Together and forward@fifty.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland Chief Executive, closed the event by presenting a final raffle prize of a Kindle Fire, donated by the Charity, and with praise for Seniors Together, forward@fifty, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, and Age Scotland’s Linda Anderson and Kim Tierney. He said: “Information, exercise, culture, food and high fashion all in the one venue! Partnership working really does pay off.”

18 Call 0845 833 0200 to find local solicitors

going local news from the

south

Your local Age Scotland team Morag Halliday (Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders) 01387 251036 Heather Baillie (Ayrshire) 01563 528 441

The Afore

Ye Go eve nts team

Tackling the taboo “You cannot get pregnant when talking about sex, and equally you will not die from making a will.” This was the opening line at our six free seminars, entitled ‘Afore Ye Go,’ held in September across the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. The 145 attendees benefited from practical advice and information on future planning for later and end of life matters.

Our partner, Solicitors for Older People Scotland, talked legal considerations including Powers of Attorney, Wills, and Advanced Directives documents that help clarify people’s wishes and instructions when they either lose capacity or are no longer around. How Funeral Plans can save you money and help your family was also discussed.

Each event featured presentations from the Age Scotland information and advice team and at two of them local GPs spoke about the benefits setting in place Powers of Attorney and Advanced Directives.

One participant said: “An excellent event; more local people should be persuaded to attend.”

Huge thanks are due to our events partner organisations: Scottish Borders Elders Voice; Stewartry and Nithsdale Council of Voluntary Services; the Safe and Healthy Action Partnership (for Annandale Eskdale and Wigtownshire Personalisation Team); and Dumfries and Galloway Council. See page 7 for coming events.

South Regional Assembly The South Region Assembly was held in New Lanark Mill on 28th August and drew 57 members from across the Region’s five local authority areas. The morning’s themes were Welfare Reform and Citizenship, followed in the afternoon with workshops on the health benefits of holistic therapies, creative writing, reminiscence and Men’s Sheds.

South round up Membership in the South continues to grow, with 39 groups joining Age Scotland since January 2013. We now have 201 member groups across the three Ayrshire Local Authority areas, Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders.

Over the last three months the following member groups successfully applied for Age Scotland grant funding. In Ayrshire, The Thursday Club, Witches and Warlocks, Largs Club for Visually Impaired and Whiting Bay Thursday Club will all be enjoying festive lunches thanks to a grant from Age Scotland. In Dumfries and Galloway, Stewartry CVS received a grant towards six ‘Afore ye go’ events.

In Scottish Borders Earlston Wednesday Club and Dunns Senior Citizens will be using their grant towards Annual Christmas activities.

Visit Age Scotland South Region at www.facebook.com 19

going local

o The G

lden St

orie

news from t he

il G Paterso photo: Ne ( h c n u s la

n)

north

Suzy at the Moray Men’s She d

Celebrating the golden North ‘Celebration’ was the theme of Age Scotland’s autumn encounters with member groups, as well as providing the focus for a successful North Region Assembly.

Jo attended the Safer Communities Scotland Awards as part of the Steering Group of ‘Stay Safe,’ an Inverness-based peer-speaking project. Stay Safe’s older volunteers provide community safety talks to older people’s groups on doorstep safety, scams’ awareness and falls’ prevention. The project was runner-up in the partnership-working category of this year’s Age Scotland Awards.

Golden Stories, an intergenerational reminiscence project based at Merkinch Community Centre in Inverness, celebrated the launch of its DVD and book.

With plans for a drama group afoot, we can expect more golden experiences from this excellent project.

In the north east, Suzy supported Moray Men’s Sheds, which now has sheds in the pipeline in Elgin and Forres. Fundraising and clearing the ‘shed’ in Forres was both productive and good fun. There has also been interest in setting up Men’s Sheds - places where older men can work on projects that interest them in the company of their peers – in Aberdeen and Portlethen.

Your local Age Scotland team Suzy Gentle (Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney, Shetland) 01309 673455 Jo Cowan (Highland, Argyll & Bute, Eilean Siar) 01855 821 809

In October, Suzy travelled to Orkney to catch up with member groups and give a talk to the Salvation Army Friendship group in Kirkwall. Christine and Jo enjoyed hearing about the great work of member groups on their Western Isles visit, which included meetings with the three Barra groups and network gatherings for Uist and for Lewis and Harris. In all, they met almost 70 representatives from 21 older people’s groups and eight key partners. Cabraich, an arts group working with older people’s groups in the Western Isles, recently received an Age Scotland grant to support its first Luminate Festival event.

Back on the mainland, we visited the Wise Guys’ end-of-project celebration and Luminate exhibition at Highland Print Studio in Inverness. Trev and Brian from the project came along to share their experiences of Wise Guys at the North Assembly.

Regional Trustee, Brenda Nicolson, has had a busy schedule over and above trustee meetings, accompanying the team to Westhill Men’s Shed Official Opening and Forres Network, as well as welcoming North groups to the Assembly. She also enjoyed a steam train trip to catch up with Strath Sunshine Club.

The Strathcarron Project at the Howard Doris Centre hosted our second Highland Centre’s Network in August. Network members were very impressed with their fantastic care setting and the warm welcome.

They too entered the ‘Luminate-Zone’- holding a first and very enthusiastic Howard Doris Centre Mini Arts Festival including local arts and crafts and musicians.

20 Call 118 202 Directory Enquiries and donate 9p for each 40p call

going local news from the

east

East Assembly

Rattray Special Treat

s Group

The East Region Assembly, which took place in Livingston on 8th October, showcased a variety of activities in response to the question: ‘how do older people’s groups attract new members?’ Springwell Golden Voices choir entertained with musical medleys and ran a singing workshop which, alongside a hands-on art session, perfectly captured the spirit of the October’s Luminate creative ageing festival.

New services in the east A gift for the Special Treats Group The Rattray Special Treats Group has received a cheque for almost £4,000 from a legacy gift to Age Scotland by Miss May McFarlane. Its fundraising efforts paid off recently when the group took delivery of its own minibus. As the Group operates a rural area of Perthshire where transport is infrequent, this has been a tremendous bonus and made it easier for members to enjoy, activities including weekly lunch clubs, bingo sessions, trips and outings.

Shonaidh Beattie, the Group’s Secretary, said: “We are delighted that we were able to benefit from the legacy. It will assist us greatly with the costs of maintaining the bus and keeping it on the road, and will allow older people in this area more opportunities to get out and about and enjoy themselves.”

Laura to the rescue The Edinburgh Macular Society’s desire to show a new DVD, ‘Living with Macular,’ at a coffee morning was almost frustrated for lack of equipment. However Age Scotland’s Laura Dunkel stepped in to lend the Charity’s DVD player and projector. Chair George Kay said: “There was a good, happy feeling about the day with attendees able to meet others with a similar problem, pick up information, and discuss day to day problems and how to cope.”

For more information about the Macular Society, or to find your nearest group visit www.macularsociety.org or call 0300 3030 111.

The Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living has launched a new website at www.lothiancil.org.uk. The site, which is for disabled people and those with long term conditions, offers a one-stop information shop about independent living and self-directed support.

The Braveheart Association has launched Optimise, a project to help older people reduce their risk of coronary heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

Optimise offers a fun, social programme for over 55s in the Falkirk area, with mentor-led fortnightly sessions to set goals and work together to achieve them. In addition to participants the project is recruiting volunteer health mentors, training for whom takes place in early 2014. For details call Selas Jennings on 01324 673702 or email Selas.jennings@nhs.net.

Living it Up is a new project for over 50s in Lothian to help to support better health and active lifestyles.

It is anticipated to be of interest to carers, people living with long term health and care conditions, and those who just want to ensure they keep happy and healthy. For details of opportunities to get involved visit www.livingitup.org.uk/events or speak to Laura Dunkel (contact below.)

Your local Age Scotland team Douglas Macnaughtan (Fife, Dundee, Angus) 01324 717 079 Carole Anderson (Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire) 01577 864658 Laura Dunkel (Edinburgh & Lothians) 01506 853 951

To find out about legacy gifts to Age Scotland call 0845 833 9358 21

inspire

rts Citadel A

Advantage introduces the inspirational winners of the inaugural Age Scotland Awards.

The Age Scotland Awards ceremony was held in the Scottish Parliament Garden Lobby on 1st October, the International Day of Older Persons. Awards were presented in five categories by representatives from each of our sponsors.

Parliamentary reception host Jim Eadie MSP said: “We all hope to enjoy happy and fulfilling later lives and the Age Scotland Awards are a celebration of those in Scotland who make this possible. For many old age presents some real challenges, and each nomination tells its own story of groups and people doing extraordinary work helping older people.”

David Fraser, Age Scotland Chair, said: “To all of our winners and runners up, your work is truly fantastic and an inspiration to all of us – thank you.”

Group with Brian Sloan (centre) and David

Urquhart (left)

Clackmannanshire Older Adults Forum: The Patrick Brooks Award for Partnership Working The Forum brings together seniors groups in Clackmannanshire so that they can speak with a strong collective voice and share knowledge and experience. It has a membership of 16 groups, double the number a year ago. On topics from crime to housing, it feeds older adults’ views and experiences into local planning and decision making.

Current priorities include transport, with the Forum instrumental in establishing Clackmannanshire’s first community transport service, and inter-generational activities, with young and older members of the community exchanging skills such as IT and knitting.

Member Ricky Donaldson said: “We’re thrilled to receive this Award because the Forum has just been going a year, and what has been achieved in that time has been out of this world. We tried writing to councils and MSPs and felt we weren’t getting satisfaction, so now we bring them into our meetings and get our questions answered.”

You can find out more about the Forum’s work on transport issues on page 12.

22 Sign up for e-news at www.agescotland.org.uk

inspire

Ceremon y in the

Scottish P arliam

ent

Citadel Arts Group: Age Scotland Member Group of the Year Award Citadel Arts Group develops and expresses creativity and memories in older people in Edinburgh and Midlothian. Its activities include: ‘living memory’ projects with dementia sufferers, memory inspired plays performed by frail older people alongside primary school children, and helping recently retired people develop play-writing skills. The group’s achievements include a performance at the Leith Festival 2012 of a play by an older writer inspired by memories of old Leith hospital. It has been a member of Age Scotland for two years, which has grant-supported production of six drama productions in that period.

Liz Hare, Artistic Director, said: “We are trying to enhance the confidence and self-esteem of older people through ‘living memory’ and developing plays by older writers, and that’s what you’ve done for us. This Award has enhanced our self-esteem and confidence enormously. We can now call ourselves an ‘Award winning theatre company,’ and that means a lot.”

Playwright Alan Mountford, whose play about bingo was funded by Age Scotland, said: “Being involved with Citadel Arts Group has definitely improved my quality of life; it’s given me a goal and something to look forward to. I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing something that I’ve imagined in my mind bringing a lot of pleasure, especially to older people who might not get out much.”

m Clackmannanshire Older Adults Foru

Food Train Friends: Services for Older People Award Food Train provides grocery shopping delivery and home support services to older people in the Dumfries and Galloway area. Its Food Train Friends service was developed three years ago in response to evidence that social isolation and loneliness was a major issue amongst older people locally.

It offers telephone befriending, one to one matches, and group outings and activities. It also runs reminiscence and IT groups and has established strong links with local high schools in Dumfries.

105 older people registered with the service are supported by 60 trained volunteers. The service has plans, funding permitting, to roll out across the whole of the Dumfries and Galloway area, in which there is currently no other befriending service for older people.

Regional Manager Helen McAnespie said: “This Award is dedicated to our volunteers, as without them we would have no Food Train Friends.”

Project Manager Scott McGill added: “We would like to help more and more older people in Dumfries and Galloway, an area in which a high and growing number of older people live. As humans we are designed to interact, so older people should not be locked away in their homes in isolation.”

Follow us on www.twitter.com/agescotland 23

inspire

Thomas Whitelaw: Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing Tommy gave up an established career to become the sole carer for his mother in the five years she had dementia right up until her death in September 2012. While he was looking after his mum he began campaigning on behalf of dementia sufferers and their carers.

nn ODonnell (Caesar and Howie Group), May W LR: Terry A allace, Bria nS

With support from The Alliance (Health and Social Care Alliance) he undertook a marathon walk across Scotland in 2011, ‘Tommy on Tour’, attempting to raise awareness, inviting carers across the nation to contact him with their stories and lobbying politicians and influential people.

He made excellent use of a daily blog to publicise his tour and carers’ stories, which he intends to continue. He created and promoted a DVD – ‘It’s okay to ask for help.’

Tommy said: I feel really privileged and honoured.

My mum’s name was Jean Whiltelaw and her life was a love story. She met my dad one day and fell in love with him, her only ever boyfriend. She was a remarkable and kind women, and I was a lucky boy. Then she got dementia and I found it too hard to keep that love story alive. And that’s a tragedy for society. We should be encouraging and helping people to keep their love stories alive, and being part of love stories. So I’d like to dedicate this award to people and love stories.”

Tommy is now invited to talk to audiences including journalists, students, healthcare providers and politicians, and has raised awareness that behind a diagnosis of dementia is a person with a rich life history. age scotland 120x210_Layout 1 24/10/2013 14:40 Page 1

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Sloan / Fo od Train F riends

with Brian Sloan / Ca lum

e) Russell (Je and Ston ss Barrow’s son), Brian Sloan, Tommy Whitelaw, Will Purvis (McCarthy

May Wallace: Volunteer of the Year Award May, age 91, has been a volunteer at the Westhill and Garlogie Day Centre for 24 years. For many years she was an ‘Escort’, and is still a ‘Relief Escort,’ on the minibus which collects members from their homes, and takes them back at 3pm. This can often involve assisting disabled members on and off the bus and into their homes, which would be physically demanding at any age.

The Day Centre is held on two days every week.

Most volunteers attend for 2-3 hours on one of the days, but May is there from 9.30am until around 2pm on both days, and stays longer when needed.

May is greatly appreciated by Centre members and staff for her dedication and sense of humour.

She has served on the Centre’s ‘Friends of’ Committee all that time, and chaired it for the last 11 years. May trained as a ‘Music and Movement’ leader so that she could take the exercise session at the Day Centre. This takes place every Wednesday and Friday morning, and lasts for 45 minutes.

May said: “I’ve been doing something I love for all that time. I’ve met so many lovely people. If I can bring a smile to their face, and give them a cuddle, I will do it for as long as I can.”

Congratulations to the runners-up Patrick Brooks Award: Viewpoint Housing Association and Impact Arts, Stay Safe Project Steering Group

Member Group of the Year Award: St Mungo’s Old Folks Centre of Wellbeing, Westhill and District Men’s Shed, Dance House Services for Older People Award: Tiree Resource

Club, Midlothian Garden Services, Cowal Elderly Befriender’s SCIO, Keeping in Touch Edinburgh (KITE)

Jess Barrow Award: Grey Matters, Viewpoint

Housing Association, Woodlands Senior Citizens Club

Volunteer of the Year Award: Mr Bill Brack, Felix

Porter, John Dickson, Anne Grindley (Contact the Elderly)

A thank you to our sponsors David Urquhart Travel, sponsor of Age Scotland Member Group of the Year Specsavers, sponsor of Services for Older People Raeside and Chisholm, sponsor of Patrick Brooks Award for Partnership Working McCarthy and Stone, sponsor of Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing Solicitors for Older People Scotland, sponsor of Volunteer of the Year

Silver Line Scotland: 0800 4 70 80 90 25

Clubs’ Corner

Getting the most out of speakers A guest speaker can make or break a meeting. There is no way to guarantee every speaker sparkles, but you can minimise the risk of a damp squib says Doug Anthoney.

What better way to find out what speakers will work for your group than to ask your members? Why not make a list and ask people to vote on what they are interested in, either through a questionnaire or with a show of hands. Local newspapers and community noticeboards are great for identifying potentials as new services often advertise in them. You might also spot local celebrities, or people who have had an interesting experience or journey.

In the directory are contact details for some of the main public bodies with an interest in communicating with older people’s groups. You could also approach charities or local voluntary societies with a specialist interest such as history or genealogy. Perhaps a business prominent locally could discuss how accessible its services are to older people.

Often the way you approach a speaker will determine how well their presentation meets your members’ needs. Invite them to your meeting well in advance, ideally months rather than weeks. Give a clear brief including: the location and how to get to it, who the audience is, including whether any of your members are visually or hearing impaired, what kind of information would be useful to them, what style of presentation they like best, how long you would like them to talk for, and what time will be available for them to take questions.

26 Call Silver Line Scotland 0800 4 70 80 90

Ask the speaker if they require any equipment, for example a data projector. If they are planning to use software such as PowerPoint, it’s a good idea to check in advance how they intend to use it. PowerPoint works well when slides use mostly images to illustrate a talk, but presentations with lots of text, small font sizes, or with odd colour combinations, can be both difficult to read and distracting.

We hope these suggestions will be of help, and wish you every success with your speakers.

Age Scotland Development Officers can approach Police Scotland on your behalf (contacts: p18-22).

Trading Standards Officers can advise on nuisance callers and doorstep traders. Contact your Council’s general switchboard for details.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service can talk about its free home safety check service and fire prevention. Call 0800 0731 999.

Contact your local health board to request a talk from its Falls Prevention Service.

Website www.vascotland.org includes links to local agencies (Third Sector Interfaces) which can help you to find out what volunteers are contributing to your community.

Through our partner Solicitors for Older People Scotland you can request a talk by a local solicitor.

0845 833 0200 or sops@agescotland.org.uk.

soap box

Assembling the voices This autumn older people at Age Scotland regional assemblies had the opportunity to raise their issues on video. Here’s a sample of what was said.

Health and social care

Money

Francis and Martina felt underfunding of home care was causing problems, with visits often too rushed, and high-turnover in an underpaid and undervalued workforce. Les wanted improvements to complaints procedures to encourage “older people who don’t want to get people in trouble” to come forward.

Gurden said cutbacks were resulting in up to “threemonths delay between assessment and service.”

Tina felt vegetarians were “too often seen as a nuisance” by care homes and hospitals.

Alexandra felt Pension Credit rules were unfair as “the Department of Work and Pensions assumes a high level of interest on savings, but ours are being eaten into to pay for necessities.” George said married women who had paid the National Insurance Small Stamp were being penalised financially. Douglas felt older people were too often made to feel they were begging for their rights and entitlements, and Margaret that the benefit changes were too complex. The rising cost of energy was an issue for Ralph, who also called for “a single price for gas and electricity so it’s clear.” Nick worried about the “good neighbour conundrum” in which looking out for an older person who is forgetful about their finances could backfire.

Neighbourhood safety William and Mike wanted action for older pedestrians. “With too many cars about bikes are being pushed onto pavements,” said William, who called for better provision for cyclists. Mike felt school crossing patrols could assist older people cross unsafe roads but had “been told that they are not allowed to help because of insurance.”

Transport Elizabeth called for more rural community bus services. “People can be really isolated here in Ullapool.” To safeguard the bus pass scheme Robert suggested that “free travel shouldn’t click in until people receive a pension.” Ian was concerned about “a lack of respect for priority bus seating for the disabled.”

Representation and information Bill and Tom called for an older people’s parliament.

Ian wanted “dedicated Scottish TV news” to stop confusion between Scottish and English developments.

Isobel encouraged people to get past their fear of the internet and use it to research issues.

This summary is from the Charity’s north, west and south assemblies. A compilation video from all the assemblies was presented to the Scottish Older People’s Assembly on 5th December.

Older people’s groups Groups give older people “a real boost for their confidence” said Rosa, and Marylin called for more people to “take advantage of the many opportunities.” However Nell worried that in the future “the facilities won’t be there for (an ageing population) because there’s not enough now.” Diane said for her group “outings are becoming more expensive and less well attended” and suggested more collaboration between groups to cut costs.

For news and views visit www.agescotland.wordpress.com 27

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