Speaking Up for Our Age: Celebrating 75 years of national and local older people’s groups and organisations in Scotland, 1943-2018

Speaking Up for Our Age: Contents 1940s OLD AGE IN THE NEW WORLD PAGE FOUR Speaking Up for Our Age: Celebrating 75 years of 2018 is a special national and local older year for older s people’s groups and 1950 organisations in Scotland, people’s groups and Doors of opportunity 1943-2018 organisations in PAGE EIGHT Compiled and edited by Elizabeth Bryan, Scotland. 75 years Age Scotland ago Age Scotland’s s Published by Age Scotland 1960 Causewayside House predecessor charity, Hives of Industry 160 Causewayside PAGE FOURTEEN Edinburgh EH9 1PR the Scottish Old www.agescotland.org.uk People’s Welfare Design by www.theroundroom.co.uk Committee, was set up.

© Age Scotland PAGE TWENTY ISSN 1747-4515 In 1943 there were only three older people’s welfare committees in Scotland. These were in Dundee, 1980s Edinburgh and Peebles. The Fighting Inequality Scottish Old People’s Welfare Committee’s immediate aims PAGE TWENTY SIX were to investigate the position of older people in Scotland and raise s awareness of their needs, and to 1990 Age Scotland, part of support the development of local MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD the Age Network, is an old people’s welfare committees PAGE THIRTY FOUR independent charity around the country. In 2018 there dedicated to improving the are more than 1000 organisations later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a in membership of Age Scotland 2000s charitable company limited alone, each providing friendship, THE NEW MILLENNIUM by guarantee and registered activities or services for older people, in Scotland. Registration PAGE FORTY TWO or campaigning on behalf of older Number: 153343 Charity Number: SC010100. people. Many of these organisations Registered Office: have been set up by older people, Causewayside House, and are run by older people. 2010s 160 Causewayside, LOVE LATER LIFE Edinburgh EH9 1PR. PAGE FORTY SIX

Front cover picture reproduced by kind permission of Broomlands and Acknowledgements Bourtreehill Age Concern. All photographs within this publication are the PAGE FIFTY property of Age Scotland unless otherwise stated. Cover photograph: Members and Volunteers, Broomlands and Bourtreehill Age Concern, 1984. Age Concern, and Bourtreehill Broomlands Members and Volunteers, photograph: Cover CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

Celebrating 75 years of national and local older people’s groups and organisations in Scotland, 1943-2018

In the build up to our 75th skills with support from The Living – so often underestimated, anniversary, Age Scotland Memory Association. It brought undervalued and under reported. embarked on a project to find members and staff of Age Scotland We hope the publication is a fitting out more about the charity’s in touch with people who have tribute to those who have gone history and the development of made an important contribution to before and have put so much local and national older people’s the development of older people’s time, energy and skill into setting organisations in Scotland. We were groups and organisations across up and running organisations to delighted to be awarded funding Scotland to learn from them make older people’s lives better. from the Heritage Lottery Fund and capture their memories and We hope the publication will spark to help with some of the project experiences. It highlighted further research into older costs including support for some wonderful archives people’s organisations of our member organisations to of photographs, and their important research and celebrate their own minutes and place in our history. The Heritage Lottery Fund documents that society - a also provided us with the resources generations of neglected area to create a timeline publication older people’s of study and – a special issue of Advantage groups have attention. magazine - and a film to present carefully Finally, we and share our story. This timeline preserved. hope the publication is the result of several publication months investigation by volunteers We hope the will inspire and staff – the Age Scotland publication policymakers, History Detectives. will give planners, partners readers a good and people of all Our journey back in time started understanding of the ages to get behind in the offices of the Scottish growth and development and get involved in older Council for Voluntary Organisations of national and local older people’s people’s groups and organisations, (SCVO), where we rediscovered the groups and organisations over the ensuring Scotland is a good place minutes of the Scottish Old People’ years, their spirit and vitality, and to grow old in for all our citizens Welfare Committee. It took us the enormous contribution they today and for future generations. on many fascinating visits to the have made and continue to make National Library of Scotland which to advancing later life in Scotland. Elizabeth Bryan holds many important documents, We hope the publication shines Community Development periodicals and publications a light on the extraordinary care Co-ordinator, Age Scotland relating to our history. It enabled and commitment that people us to learn oral history interviewing have for others in their community September 2018

Mary Marshall, Brian Sloan and Maureen O’Neill visit the collections of the National Library of Scotland, August 2018 PAGE FOUR

1939 1940 1942 1943 1943 World War II Conservative led The Beveridge Report, The first The National begins. Wartime Coalition ‘Social Insurance and meeting of Council of Social Government Allied Services’, is Scottish Old Service Scottish is formed. published. In it William People’s Welfare Advisory Beveridge sets out a plan Committee Committee to put an end to what he (SOPWC) is held becomes 1940 calls the ‘five giants’ – in Edinburgh. A the Scottish Food and clothes Want, Disease, Ignorance, sub committee Council of rationing begins. Squalor and Idleness. on Homes and Social Services. Older People is immediately set up. 1940s OLD AGE IN THE NEW WORLD

In 1943 Britain was in the grip of war. The entire population had been mobilised to support the war effort, and there was a strong sense of community spirit often transcending social class and other barriers. There was also a growing determination, powered by the popularity of the 1942 Beveridge Report, that after the war ended the country could not go back to pre-war social conditions.

People wanted the future to It was in this context that the formed at this time included the be better than the poverty first meeting of theScottish Scottish Churches Consultative and deprivation that had Old People’s Welfare Committee Committee and the Citizens been experienced by earlier (SOPWC) took place on Friday Advice Bureaux Advisory generations. This stirring of 22nd January 1943, in the Committee. consciousness included concerns offices of the National Council SOPWC brought together a for a fair deal for older people. of Social Services Scottish range of national voluntary Life expectancy was increasing, Advisory Committee, sector and charitable the proportion of older people in Alva Street, Edinburgh. organisations concerned with the population was growing, and SOPWC was one of number of the welfare of older people, the war had drawn attention to welfare committees established and the recently established some of the hardships and needs by the new National Council of Edinburgh Old People’s Welfare of older people. Social Services Scottish Advisory Council and Dundee Old People’s Committee during World War Welfare Committee. II to support the war effort SOPWC’s immediate aims were and the social wellbeing of the to gather information about the community of Scotland. Other present position of the care and important national committees welfare of “the aged”, to provide CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1945 1945 1945 1945 World War II SOPWC writes to SOPWC receives a letter The Lord Provost of ends. the Department of from the Department Aberdeen calls a public Health asking if local of Health: the Secretary meeting to gauge Labour authorities drawing up of State will consider whether an Old People’s Government plans for rehousing are the payment of grants Welfare Committee is formed. including houses and to Old People’s Clubs should be formed. The hostels for aged persons under terms of the Local Aberdeen Old People’s in their plans. Government (Scotland) Welfare Council is set Act, 1929. up as result of this meeting, and starts a Visiting Scheme.

The founding a platform for discussion, and to are filled with references to members of the raise awareness of the needs of endowments of cash and Scottish Old People’s older people. buildings, and fundraising efforts Welfare Committee (1943) Founding members put great to support the opening of new time and energy into SOPWC’s Eventide homes by the churches work and those organisations and some by old people’s welfare committees. with federations encouraged their Aged Christian Friend local branches and members to There were other concerns too. In Society of Scotland; support the formation of local the 1940s most older people lived Church of Scotland; old people’s welfare committees at home. Studies carried out by Dundee Old People’s around the country. SOPWC made SOPWC and the Glasgow Council Welfare Committee; small donations of £20 to new for Social Service, with funding Edinburgh Old committees to help with start-up support from the Nuffield Trust, People’s Welfare expenses. drew attention to Council; Federation the hidden poverty Throughout the of Soroptomists 1940s SOPWC and loneliness experienced by Clubs; Hospital worked to Almoners Association; address the lack older people. Council of Women of appropriate Many older people of Great Britain; homes and were suffering housing for from malnutrition Rotary International; older people. because of lack Salvation Army; A working group of means to Scottish Central was formed access or cook Council of Women’s to investigate food, and many Rural Institutes; the issue in needed domestic Scottish Council of help. Local old 1943 and Women Citizens people’s welfare immediately set Association; Scottish about mapping committees piloted new initiatives to Trades Union existing Homes Congress. The for Older People, help improve diet and access to food Executive Committee conducting of the Public visits to including early Assistance Authorities established homes, and Meals on Wheels in Scotland was pressing for the building and Schemes, Home Help Services for creation of more residential older people in times of illness, also invited to send homes. Committee minutes and Visiting Schemes. representation. PAGE SIX

1946 1946 1946 1946 1947 National National A Voluntary New Towns Act Edinburgh Old People’s Insurance Act Health Association agrees plans for Welfare Council, the Women’s introduces Service Act. is formed in 5 new towns Voluntary Service and the contributory Fife to pay in Scotland: Medical Officer of Health in state pensions for wireless Cumbernauld, Edinburgh pilot the first Meals at age 65 for licenses East Kilbride, on Wheels Distribution Service men and age for old age Glenrothes, in Scotland, with support 60 for women pensioners. Irvine and from the Red Cross and the who have retired Livingston. Inner Wheel. from paid employment. 1940s OLD AGE IN THE NEW WORLD

Homes for Old People in Scotland Published in 1947 - price one shilling. The publication comprised a listing of 109 Homes in Scotland for Aged Men and Women, compiled with the help of Matrons responsible for the Homes. Cutting of first sod for Cameron House nursery © Cameron for Cutting of first sod Childhood Education Early British Association for

SOPWC’s First Secretary - Miss Grace Drysdale Grace Drysdale was a pioneering figure in Edinburgh. She was In 1940 Grace Drysdale took up one of the leaders of Edinburgh the post of Deputy Secretary of University Settlement, a charitable the Scottish Council of Social organisation that she helped Service. In this role she became to found in 1905 to promote the first Secretary of SOPWC, The list includes: community development and and she travelled the country Campbell-Johnstone Home for Aged the alleviation of poverty in the meeting with civic leaders, Indigent Gentlewomen, Crieff. city. University undergraduates, church ministers and branches Charge is: £3 3 shillings. academics and researchers of national organisations such Remarks: Over 60 years of age. Able were resident in ‘Settlement as the Soroptomists and Rotary, to look after themselves. Medical Houses’ which were situated in to talk about the SOPWC and the Certificate of good health required. underprivileged communities. needs and hardships of older Grace Drysdale was the warden people and to encourage and Sir William Fraser Home, Edinburgh. of one of these Settlement support the setting up of local old Charge is: £60 per annum. Houses, Cameron House. In 1934 people’s welfare committees. She Remarks: Preference given to the University Settlement opened retired from her post in 1950 and authors and artists in necessitous the Cameron House Nursery took a country house in Gifford, circumstances. A certain amount School, founded and endowed “to accommodate elderly people of coal and gas allocated to by Grace Drysdale. who need a summer holiday”. each tenant. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1948 1948 1948 LIFE EXPECTANCY IN 1948 National Health National Glasgow Old People’s Service (NHS) is born. Assistance Act. Welfare Committee is For the first time, founded. 180 people hospitals, doctors, attend the public nurses, pharmacists, meeting held in the opticians and dentists Royal Philosophical THE NEW are brought together NATIONAL Society, and chaired by MEN: WOMEN: under one umbrella HEALTH Sir Hector Hetherington. organisation to provide SERVICE A donation of £1000 63.8 67.6 * YEARS YEARS Your new National Health Service begins on 5th July. What services that are free is it? How do you get it? is made to the new

It will provide you with all medical, dental, and nursing care. Everyone– rich or poor, man woman or child–can use it or any part of it. There are no charges, except for a few special items. There are no insurance qualifica for all at the point of tions. But it is not a “charity". You are all paying for it, mainly as taxpayers, - Committee by the and it will relieve your money worries in time of illness. delivery, financed Mr F W Gardner Trust. by taxation.

SCOTTISH COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.

Programme of Joint Conference convened by the Scottish Old People’s Welfare Committee and the Aberdeen Old The Week’s Good Cause People’s Welfare Council to be held in the Education Building support Rooms, Municipal Buildings, Aberdeen. On 29 December 1946 THURSDAY,29th MAY and FRIDAY, 30th MAY, 1947. In the immediate post at 8.25pm Sir Hector THURSDAY, 29th May. PROGRAMME: war years SOPWC Hetherington, Principal of the 2.30p.m Chairman’s Remarks. Welcome to Delegates by The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, organised a number of University of Glasgow, Vice Sir Thomas Mitchell, LL.D Chair of the Scottish Council of ADDRESS: “The Co-ordination of Medical Service for the Aged”. public events, broadcasts Dr. A. Greig Anderson, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P Social Service, and supporter Discussion. and conferences to draw of SOPWC and Glasgow Old 3.45p.m ADDRESS:“Account of the work of attention to the needs of People’s Welfare Committee, the Scottish Old People’s Welfare Committee”. Miss Grace Drysdale, J.P., Deputy Officer older people and its work, Scottish Council of Social Service made a radio broadcast appeal Secretary, Scottish Old People’s Welfare Committee. and to galvanise support. on the BBC’s Week’s Good 5p.m - 6.30p.m TEA INTERVAL.

Cause programme on behalf ADDRESS: “The Housing of the Aged”. of SOPWC. As well as raising W. Birrell, Esq., Department of Health for Scotland awareness, the appeal raised Old Age Old Age in the New World EMILY D. SAMSON £228 and 15 shillings in the for the charity. Conferences were held in New World Glasgow in 1945, and in Exhibition Edinburgh, Stirling and The Aberdeen in 1947 Committee THE PILOT PRESS LTD. 96 delegates from Dundee and organised the North of Scotland attended the bringing of Aberdeen Conference, held on the “Old Age in the New World” 29/30th May 1947 organised Travelling Exhibition to Scotland. jointly with the Aberdeen Old It was shown on 20-25th People’s Welfare Council. January 1947 in the Rossleigh Showrooms, Edinburgh. 2054 people attended, including of Glasgow ©University many older people. The The Week’s Good Cause was By the end of the 1940s Ministry of Food gave cookery a BBC Radio Broadcast, first Scottish Old People’s Welfare demonstrations. The exhibition broadcast on 24 January 1926. Committees and Councils are received a great many requests Charities quickly realised the flourishing in Aberdeen, Alloa, for a Home Help Service being power of radio to touch a large Ayr, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, available for old people when audience and many took up Forres, Glasgow, Nairn and they were ill. the opportunity. SOPWC went Inverness. Committees are also on to make a number of similar in development in Kilmarnock, radio appeals in the 1950s. Perth and Vale of Leven. PAGE EIGHT

1951 1951 1951 1951 1952 Department of Falkirk and At a meeting of Glasgow Old The first Old People’s Health Circular District Old members held People’s Welfare Welfare Week is held No 51/1951 People’s Welfare in Edinburgh City Committee holds across Scotland, 5-12 directs local Committee Chambers, SOPWC their second October 1952 to focus authorities to organises a becomes an annual “Old Folks attention on all aspects support voluntary holiday for independent body Week” public of the welfare of old organisations 30 old people running its own appeal for people and encourage in the provision to Callander, day to day affairs funding, raising: the setting up of local of a continuing inspiring other and activities. committees and activities welfare service local committees The meeting is £1,936 14s 1d for older people. for old people. to set up similar chaired by Miss holiday schemes. Rodney Murray, Lady Provost of Edinburgh. 1950s Doors of Opportunity

The 1950s was a period of tremendous growth for older people’s organisations in Scotland. Local old people’s welfare committees spread rapidly throughout the country. By 1954 there were 76 committees in operation; Ayrshire alone had 14 committees. Even more impressive was the breadth of activities and services developed and delivered by both local committees, and the national Scottish Old People’s Welfare Committee (SOPWC). Both benefited from grant funding from the George VI Memorial Fund.

The role of the local committee Local committees were actively was to co-ordinate, to bring encouraged to set up Visiting together representatives Services and to view this work of statutory and voluntary as an essential part of their job. services, chiropody services, organisations who were willing Visiting Services were primarily to holiday schemes, and a host of to work cooperatively to identify provide company and alleviate other activities such as free coal gaps and needs, and develop or loneliness but they were also an or logs, treats, social gatherings improve support for older people. important means of establishing and outings. The early emphasis on boosting the needs of isolated older Nationally, SOPWC championed the number of residential homes people in a local area. Local the formation of new old for older people gave way committees were also people’s welfare committees to the development of at the forefront of and their activities, promoting a range of welfare establishing social their work and providing advice, services that would and recreational and information guides. The enable older people clubs for older Old People’s Welfare, Scottish to remain in their people, meals Bulletin was published three own home, and improve the quality of This forget-me-not club badge belonged life of older people. to Mr Bertie McCubbin. Friendships were formed by recognition of the badge. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1952 1952 1953 1953 1953 SOPWC publishes The Five Thousand Shilling A SOPWC Queen’s SOPWC gives evidence “A Handbook Fund in Montrose achieves survey finds Coronation. to the Phillips of Old People’s its target enabling the 24 local old SOPWC Committee appointed Clubs” providing Montrose Old People’s people’s welfare provides 3680 by the Chancellor of the advice on Welfare Committee to committees caddies of Exchequer to review the financial purchase two television are providing tea to local the economic and administration sets, one for the residents chiropody committees financial implications of a club, ideas of Dorward House, a services working to present of the prospective for programmes home for older people, together with to older increase in the numbers and activities, and the other for their branches of the people during of “the aged”. Phillips and examples Old Folk’s Club. British Red Cross Coronation recommends increasing of weekly clubs, Society and Week. the minimum pension daily clubs and local authorities. age to 68 for men and lunch clubs. 63 for women.

times per year, and was packed with news of developments from committees and clubs around the country and reports from the Operation Logs in Falkirk work of SOPWC. As the range of local services and activities grew Community spirit bringing the the Bulletin included fundraising generations together in common cause tips such as Works’ Penny-a- Week donation schemes, door to door collections and flag days. The blue forget-me-not flower which decorated the front cover of the Scottish Bulletin became a symbol for the movement. Enamel brooches, Christmas cards, flags for street collections and envelopes for house to house collections were produced with this motif. SOPWC led on national preparations for Older People’s Week in Scotland from 1952 onwards, galvanising interest and providing resources Photograph reproduced by kind permission of Falkirk Age Concern kind permission of Falkirk by reproduced Photograph to local committees to support their participation. “The operation epitomised what can be done when there is a true spirit of altruism and co-operation in a National conferences, meetings common cause. The winters were cold, the old people and training events were were in need, the logs were made available thanks organised by SOPWC to provide to the kindness of Cllr Forbes [owner of the Callendar a platform to share ideas and Estate], the Borstal Boys cut them, the Scouts bagged practice, advance new thinking them, the Rotarians and Round Tablers delivered them, and areas of work, and to businessmen lent their lorries, the drivers gave of their give guidance and support to time without recompense, and the Falkirk Old People volunteers. Importantly, SOPWC’s Welfare Committee served tea and pies, provided by function also included speaking Mr Myles, the butcher, at no cost.” for older people to the Ministries that affected their wellbeing. Falkirk Old People’s Welfare Committee Annual Reports 1950s PAGE TEN

1953 1953 1954 1954 1954 Comedian Jimmy SOPWC SOPWC submission to the The King There are 156 Logan makes a conference Guilleband Committee of George VI Old clubs in Scotland radio broadcast theme is “A Enquiry into the cost of People’s Club administered appeal on behalf comprehensive the NHS calls for closer Development by, or directly of the SOPWC in Health and contact between Hospital Scheme Scottish connected The Week’s Good Welfare Authorities and the Welfare Committee opens with, local old Cause slot. His Service for Departments of Local to applications. people’s welfare grandparents Old People”. Authorities and “more local committees. are members clinics wherein prevention of an Old Folk’s work can be carried out in Club and he order to relieve pressures regularly provides on hospitals”. entertainment. s 1950 From Airways Terminal Doors of Opportunity Building to Old Folk’s Club “In the autumn of 1958 I noticed an advert offering for sale the Terminal Building of SOPWC Silver City Airways at Castle Kennedy Airport, Stranraer. The Chairman advert was headed ‘Of interest Miss Rodney to Community Associations, Sports Clubs, etc’. Next day, the Murray chairman, myself and a local Miss Rodney Murray joiner made the journey to became Chairman in Stranraer and found the building March 1951, and was to be just what was required. a key figure in SOPWC It was only 18 months old throughout the 1950s and the price asked was £850. and 1960s. Prior to After some months delay the taking up the role she building became ours. Our joiners was Lady Provost of dismantled the building, had it Edinburgh – through removed to Milngavie and had it her brother, Sir re-erected in its present position Andrew Murray, who in the Memorial Gardens.” was elected Lord Provost, 1947-51.

One of Miss Murray’s © The Scotsman Publications Ltd first engagements as SOPWC Chair was to give the opening address are lonely, to aid those with at the October 1951 SOPWC failing powers and create new Conference on the importance of interests in the lives of many who Visiting Schemes, entitled “Doors had lost hope. These ‘Doors of of Opportunity for an Old People’s Opportunity’ are twice blessed.” Welfare Committee”. Impressions of the Conference James Roy, Former Chairman, “Miss Murray’s talk made one Report Old People’s Welfare, Milngavie Old People’s Welfare realise that it is a privilege to knock Scottish Bulletin, 1952 Committee. Writing in the at these Doors of Opportunity, in an Old People’s Welfare, Scottish endeavour to comfort those who Bulletin, 1966 CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1955 1955 1955 SOPWC holds the SOPWC’s Information Handbook “Gather Round” first of a series of of Old People’s Welfare, known as is the theme for training courses “The Wee Blue Book”, is published Old People’s Week. for voluntary by The Scottish Council of Social SOPWC organises workers in Old Service. The Handbook includes a national poster People’s Welfare. information for the older citizen competition to create The courses that visitors or workers need to publicity for the Week. are funded by know such as welfare services, The winning entry a grant from pensions, health services, legal shows “three elderly the King George affairs, banking accounts, the people gathered VI Memorial making of a will, income tax, companionably round Foundation Social housing and holidays. a blazing fire”. Service Scheme (Old People).

“A lovely old house, just off the main road and with a pretty garden in front, has been acquired by the Alloa Old Peoples Welfare Committee for a Day Club. All the club premises are on ground The Old People’s Welfare level. They consist of two small sitting rooms and a very large drawing room, all furnished Scottish Bulletin 1951 with small tables and chairs upholstered in a warm red colour; a small chiropody room with Leaflets are available on: No 3 gives a useful a basin, bath, and a comfortable sofa; a wireless No. 1. How to start an sample visitor’s record room gifted and maintained, even to weekly Old People’s Welfare sheet. In its essence fresh flowers, by the Alloa Rotary Club.” Committee. Price 1d. visiting must be a Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin, 1952 call from a friend, but No. 2. Suggestions for underlying this is a Local Old People’s Welfare responsibility that can The Kirkwall Good Committees. Price 1d. only be discharged Companions Club in Orkney No. 3. The Organisation of by the keeping of an a Visiting Service. Price 1d. “Each Wednesday afternoon anything, adequate record both by depending upon the weather, up to 50 people No. 4. Notes for the Use of the individual visitor and foregather in a pleasant carpeted room in Visitors to Old People. the Visitation Organiser. the community centre for social intercourse Price 1d. and recreation. Happy hours are whiled away in Euchre, whist, draughts and dominoes Holidays to other Homes while groups around the two fire places recall reminiscences of bygone days; the old “My committee arranged a holiday for five of our old folk salts recall stirring episodes in their seafaring and I received five in exchange. We made no alteration experiences, while the oldest and one of the in payments, no exchange of ration or pension books. most active ladies, now aged over 90, intrigues We simply took our people by car and brought back the her listeners with memories of the many great others. The return journey is to be undertaken by the houses in which she served in the spring and other Matron, and this gives the Matrons a chance to see summer of her strength. Always before the each other’s Homes. It enables the old folk to make new meal at 5pm, a short concert provided by local friends with whom they can correspond and even visit.” and able talent, is held.” Matron of a Home, Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin, 1951 Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin, 1952

“50% of old people treated cannot cut nails for the first time for three years attend a hall or clinic and must be and one old man’s nails were so thick a visited in their own homes. Many are relative had been forced to cut them with unable to write or telephone and a tinsmith’s cutters!” depend upon a visitor to make their Chiropodist Report, Old People’s Welfare, appointment. In more than one case I Scottish Bulletin, 1953 PAGE TWELVE

1956 1957 1958 A survey finds 35 Old People’s Young people The Glasgow Retirement Welfare Committees and the play a prominent Council is founded following a Women’s Voluntary Service are part in Older report and conference on the providing meals for older people. People’s Week welfare of retired people in the Glasgow Old People’s Welfare providing and Glasgow area - many of whom Committee (GOPWC) and the WVS delivering parcels were found to be “just looking supply 15,618 meals to old people to housebound at the wall”. The Council’s first in their own homes in one year up to older people. day release Preparation for 30th June 1956. During this period Retirement Course is held GOPWC also provides 14,750 meals at Langside College. in its 9 lunch clubs. 1950s Doors of Opportunity The Welfare Van in Skye KING GEORGE VI In March 1956 Skye TRAINING COURSE FOR VOLUNTARY WORKERS King George VI Old People’s Welfare Training course for IN OLD PEOPLE’S WELFARE Committee put a Welfare KELSO Van on the road, funded by voluntary workers in Friday and Saturday, old people’s welfare 18th and 19th March, 1955 a grant from the National HOSTESS: Corporation for the Care of Miss Rodney M Murray OBE, This was the first of 20 Residential Chairman of the Scottish Old People’s Older People. Leaders Training Courses to be Welfare Committee “Driven by voluntary helpers held throughout Scotland by The course was divided into six sessions an average of 300 miles a and aimed at giving instruction and SOPWC, under the King George month has been covered. VI Social Service Scheme (Old imparting knowledge about:- 1. The old person’s point of view. The services now able to be People). The object of the course 2. The complementary nature of voluntary continued > was to bring a few key people and statutory services. Preparing for Old People’s Week in Bathgate together from each town and 3. The voluntary worker in action. - Mrs E Henderson, Mr D Tervit and Mr A Hendry district who would return to their 4. Friendly visits. distribute copies of Bathgate Old People’s Week own areas prepared to start a 5. How the work may be planned in your programme from their sky blue Information local committee or develop the own town or village. Centre –a van donated by Bathgate Co-operative Society work of an existing Old People’s 6. What other areas are doing. Guest speakers led the study group sessions. Welfare Committee. During Prepared notes were given out. 1955-57 337 people attended The local Drama Group gave a Demonstration of Visiting with 9 Regional Leaders Courses in Kelso, Dundee, Crieff, Ayr, Fort a production of the play, William, Inverness, Kirkcaldy, “It isn’t always easy”. Dumfries and Aberdeen.

Household Pets “Lochaber District Committee has an imaginative Chairman in Mrs Hobbs who has many original inspirations. Not the least of these is supplying budgies to old people who are alone and like birds. A budgie can be a great companion and less trouble than a cat or a dog. The greatest difficulty lies in getting cages. If anyone has an unwanted cage and could get it delivered to the SOPWC it would be passed on to Mrs Hobbs.” Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin, 1957 CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1959 1959 1959 The Queen Mother opens the Glasgow Old There are 121 constituted Five Ways Club in Dundee, People’s Welfare old people’s welfare a new daily club providing a Committee committees affiliated midday meal for older people. has 67 clubs in to the SOPWC, “and a One of its most popular operation in the further 140 committees facilities is a bath. The club City with a total which cannot yet also opens a laundrette, membership meet the conditions and a laundry service. of 8256; many of affiliation but which are operating are known to be doing at capacity. excellent work in their areas”.

The 1959 Edition of the ABC for Old provided are many and varied. Some volunteers have taken an People’s Week average of five people at a time to shopping, other people have Remember that many people ctivity in Retirement! been transported to hospital or A are lonely but particularly to physiotherapy and chiropody Boost Old People’s those who are not so active as clinics. The van has also enabled Theatrical Talent! they were! the chiropodist to visit outlying Conveyance to Church Old associations make crofts. A home was found for two on Sundays! happy conversations! ladies and they were conveyed to it and their friends have been Drives in Private Cars! Privacy is precious and taken to visit them. The Home Exchange outings a delicate approach is Help is taken round, transport has between Clubs! recommended for all those been provided to the Ferry and to who would like to form a und raising – Ask your local church, and the van was used to F Visiting Committee! Chemist if you can have take old people to see the Queen a year’s takings from his Quiz Competitions for when she visited the island.” weighing machine! Old People’s Gatherings! Old People’s Welfare, Reading to those with Scottish Bulletin, 1957 Gift Vouchers from Local Shops at Christmas-Time! failing sight and Talking Book Machines for the Blind! Handicraft Lessons for Retired Persons! Sing-Songs by Old People’s Choirs! Individuality of the Senior Citizens respected! Tea-parties in private houses! Jollifications at regular Useful little jobs done intervals! to help the frail! Knitting orders obtained Variety in Club Activities for gifted older women! using members talent! Letter-writing by the Voluntary Woodcraft for elderly men! Worker with a good hand! X is reserved for Meals Clubs – Keep the old special occasions! people out of hospital and Youth can help Age! the undertaker away. The Zenith - relaxation New Year Resolution – and well-being in old age. PAGE FOURTEEN

1960 1960 1960 1961 The Bathgate Old People’s The Lord Provost The Royal Society Edinburgh and Community Centre Fund of Glasgow, Sir for the Prevention Leith Old People’s reaches £4000. Among Myer Galpern of Accidents “Check Welfare Council the latest donations are £3 MP, opens the That Fall Campaign” lease the historic collected by four local girls first Crafts and receives completed Lamb’s House who raised the money by Hobbies Centre questionnaire cards from from the National carol singing at Christmas. for retired men members of old people’s Trust for Scotland in Penilee. The clubs across Scotland to accommodate

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The development of Old People’s Clubs dominates the pages of the Old People’s Welfare Scottish Bulletins throughout the 1960s. Weekly old people’s clubs continued to grow in number supported by the local old people’s welfare committees and other groups who obtained the use of a room or a church hall one afternoon a week to bring older people together for weekly entertainment, tea, and companionship. These clubs remain important to this day. But by the 1960s many local old (his Provost’s personal allowance) to individuals people’s welfare committees were who by some scheme of also looking to run daily clubs which their own could accommodate a host of services and activities to Building of the Evergreen Hall in Hawick interest and suit the needs of their members. Significantly, they were also working towards having their own club premises. SOPWC was represented on the Scottish Committee of the King George VI Foundation, Old People’s Club Development Scheme could make Scottish Committee by Miss Rodney Murray. The the £1 grow scheme made available capital grants to enable the into £5, building of new club premises, or to support groups thereby to improve existing premises by installing heating bringing and new furnishings or the purchase of equipment in £243 for activities. By 1965 the Scottish Committee had towards © The Scotsman Publications Ltd. awarded £24,530 to older people’s groups. the total Grants only paid for a proportion of a club’s project cost of the old people’s permanent club building. development costs, however, and old people’s Together with help from local businesses, the welfare committees, civic leaders and supporters town council, door-to door collections and raffles, embarked on a variety of fundraising initiatives to the £4000 target was reached within 6 months in help raise money for club premises. In Dalkeith in Dalkeith, and the new purpose built club hall 1962, Provost David Smith gave away sixty £1 notes opened in 1966. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1961 1962 1962 1962 Businessman and The National Old People’s Week theme Prestwick Old People’s philanthropist Assistance Act is “Friendship and Service Welfare Committee, Cecil Jackson-Cole (1948). Amendment between Youth and Age” founded in 1954, begin founds the gives powers to local a new service – an old Help Hamish Henderson, authorities to institute people’s bus to convey the Aged Refugees poet and founder of the for older welfare activities members to the seaside Appeal School of Scottish Studies refugees affected for the provision of and the Prestwick at Edinburgh University, by natural disasters recreation or meals Evergreen Choir to local addresses SOPWC’s Biennial and conflict. for old people. concert halls in Troon Conference on the subject of and Irvine where they folk songs – “a joyful bond, entertain older people. plaited like the generations £700 is raised locally to of men, which links young purchase the minibus. and old and gives sap and virr to human existence”.

The Penilee Crafts and Andrew Atkinson devoted much of his life to the welfare of older Hobbies Centre for Retired Men people and is remembered in the Scottish Bulletin for his humanity The Crafts and Hobbies Centre hobbies in retirement. Local firms and jokey personality. He was for retired men in Linburn Road, donated machines for the wood Secretary and Penilee was ground breaking. It work and metal Organiser of was set up by Glasgow Retirement work rooms, as the Glasgow Council and Glasgow Corporation well as scrap Old People’s following research showing that wood, metal, Welfare too many older people were not carpet and paint. Committee, coping well with retirement and A management 1949-59. felt lonely and unhappy. They committee of In 1961 he missed having a daily routine, the local people became sense of purpose and self esteem including retired Secretary and that work had given them, and men with Organiser of felt cut off from companions. managerial, the Glasgow

The Crafts and Hobbies Centre technical and Retirement Ltd. © The Scotsman Publications aimed to provide opportunities for trade union experience were Council. He was elected Chairman fellowship and new interests and responsible for the day to day of the Scottish Old People’s facilities to take part in crafts and running of the centre. Welfare Committee in 1968.

“There are no instructors. Whether a man horses and so on - all very useful in the house. is accustomed to working with wood, metal, They have also been having great fun making plastics, etc., or not, he is welcomed as a dolls houses and furniture, wheel barrows, member of the centre. The retired men who garages, dolls shops etc for the handicapped are skilled craftsmen are only too happy to children of Kilbourne School and for the boys guide and assist those who have no previous and girls in Mearnskirk Hospital. experience of craft work. No remuneration They have been busy too, making aids for disabled is attached to the work being done, but that does not people, long handled shoe horns and pick-ups, perspex mean that the men are merely passing time. handles riveted to spoons and forks, perspex collars for During the first year of the Centre, the members had a soup plates and dinner plates, playing card holders for grand time turning the scrap materials available to them one handed persons, bed rests and bed-tables for the into all sorts of useful articles, for themselves and for bed-ridden. other old people – garden seats, coal bunkers, footstools, Companionship they have found. Every article they slipper boxes, work baskets, bedside cabinets, bed tables, make is needed by someone – and will be appreciated. coffee tables, ornamental wall brackets, ornamental Time can no longer be wasted.” plaster cast figures, fireside and bedside rugs, clothes Andrew Atkinson PAGE SIXTEEN

1963 1963 1963 1964 SOPWC holds St Mungo’s Old Glenrothes Old Travel Concessions its first training Folk’s Club in People’s Welfare Act. It is now possible course for the Glasgow opens Committee opens for local authorities to conveners of on 7th October a lunch club to grant reduced fares daily clubs. 1963. By the end help older people for elderly persons of the first operating who have left travelling on any year the club has behind their homes, vehicles run by these 806 members. friends and familiar authorities.

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SOPWC organised a programme of training events for club conveners across Scotland. Daily Clubs were held in a variety of premises from adapted historic houses to purpose built, new builds. The scope of services offered was unique to each club and included the provision of a host of crafts, music, indoor bowling, games and keep fit activities, libraries, spaces for chat and company, nutritious and affordable meals, practical services such as chiropody, hairdressing, laundry services and hot baths. East Kilbride Old People’s Welfare Committee even hosted a boot and shoe repair service.

King George VI day course for conveners of daily clubs Mrs Carroll addressed the topic of ‘Keeping Fit in Clubs’. The class in physical fitness for older people 52 leaders and helpers from different was a new idea to most of us. Mrs Carroll carried parts of Scotland attended the first SOPWC us away with her charm and grace to the point Training Course for Club Conveners at Lamb’s where the whole course became a sea of waving House, Edinburgh. (or wavering) arms. Amongst other things, we saw “Our first greeting came from the Lamb’s how standing in a properly balanced way helps the House Club members out settling themselves older person not be knocked over in a thoughtless comfortably in the sun for a morning pipe and crowd. Mrs Carroll’s talk and demonstration drew crack. Many of us had heard a good a most enthusiastic response and a KING GEORGE VI DAY COURSE deal about Lamb’s House, and arrived FOR CONVENERS OF DAILY CLUBS number of clubs mean to follow this LAMB’S HOUSE, in a mood of curiosity and anticipation. BURGESS STREET, LEITH, EDINBURGH. up and start a class. We saw for ourselves how the services, WEDNESDAY, 26th AUGUST, 1964, 11 a.m to 4.30 p.m We ended the talks with some thoughts hairdressing, laundry, chiropody – to Buses to Lamb’s House will leave Waverley Station, Edinburgh, and discussion about the kind of personal name a few, were being worked out at 10.50 a.m, and return from problems that the elderly people have to and developed…Mrs Bayne’s vital and Lamb’s House at 4.45 p.m. Subjects to be discussed at the Courses: face, and where help can be found.” 1. Club Activities. absorbing talk “Club Activities” rounded 2. Physical Recreation off our view of Lamb’s House. 3. Help with individual problems Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin, 1964 CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1964 1965 1965 1967 The BBC’s “Home SOPWC publishes “Age and The Old People’s John C Stewart founds the This Afternoon - “a Need in the Countryside” Welfare, Scottish Employment Bureau for the programme of interest by Dr Ian Richardson, Bulletin reports Retired, organised by the to all, with older Chairman, Aberdeen Old that Ayrshire, Glasgow Retirement Council. listeners specially in People’s Welfare Council. Dunbartonshire, Over the coming years the mind” begins on the The publication is based Fife, Lanarkshire, Bureau, staffed by volunteers, Home Service, and is on a lecture delivered at Perthshire, helps to find part-time broadcast weekday the SOPWC Club Conveners Renfrewshire employment for 3,261 afternoons mainly training course in Brora and Stirlingshire older people. from London. The first and highlights 6 needs of all now have Scottish broadcast older people in rural areas: more than 20 old comes from Lamb’s health, income, housing, people’s welfare House, Edinburgh. occupation, company and committees. spiritual needs.

Dalkeith Daily Club – Broughty Ferry Day “There is no limit to the good Club, first of the Dundee Old People’s that can emerge from it” Welfare Committee’s Daily Clubs, new premises in 1964 “We have already experienced frailty creeping into our club membership. Many of our original members are finding it Perth Old People’s difficult to attend… A group Welfare Council opened was formed from the active its new club at members and they visit the 62-64 Tay Street, semi-housebound keeping on 5th September 1960 them up to date with all the club news and views. “The Club is a very attractive “This A very strong bond exists one and is a credit to the Perth clubroom between the active and the Old People’s Welfare Council. is intended no longer active members, Its accommodation includes to banish and we are amazed a Hall with a seating capacity the misery that they give us their for some 200 people, a large brought about by isolation from one’s wholehearted support and lounge which is attractively fellow creatures. It is intended to bring interest, even though it is decorated and equipped with people together. It is intended to provide from long range. This grand easy chairs, a television set an atmosphere of warmth, companionship feeling of camaraderie and bookcases with a supply of and social contentment. This can in our membership is modern novels. In addition there become a base for creating a revolution most uplifting to all our is a well equipped kitchen, and in the community’s obligation to its older willing workers.” four rooms of varying size for members. There is no limit to the good that Old People’s Welfare, small group activities. Altogether can emerge from it. Of all the tasks that I Scottish Bulletin, 1966 £10,000 has been spent on the have had to perform in public life none has new club. A grant was made of given me greater pleasure, none has given £1,500 towards this sum by the me a better sense of accomplishment than King George VI Old People’s Club the handing over of these premises to the Development Scheme.” old folk of Dalkeith.” Old People’s Welfare, Provost David Smith at the opening of the Scottish Bulletin, 1960 Dalkeith Daily Club, 1st October 1966 PAGE EIGHTEEN

1968 1968 1969 1969 1969 Margaret Bayne The Health Services SOPWC’s Biennial Livingston Glasgow Old of Lamb’s House, and Public Health Bill Conference “The New Town People’s Welfare Leith is named and the Social Work New Horizon”, sets up an Old Committee opens Scotswoman (Scotland) Bill make reflects the growing People’s Welfare its 100th Weekly of the Year. the provision of a interest on learning, Committee. Club. home help service hobbies and a duty of local occupations authorities. in retirement. th

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R Y 60 Club Life at St Mungo’s “From Monday to Friday the Club opens at 10.30 a.m. and Club Life immediately The Daily Club gets underway. Morning papers are read, the gossip starts, some go to have a hot in Friockheim bath, some to arrange about their laundry: Montrose Old Men’s Club – classes go into session. Lunch is served A Place For Fellowship from 12.30 p.m to 130-160 members. It is a an excellent three-course meal, from “In a nutshell this is not an Foresthall Hospital, costing 1/- (this is heavily ambitious project but it is a subsidised by Glasgow Corporation). satisfying one. The numbers are not large but those who want Afternoons are usually hectic. Drama to come find peace, fellowship, group rehearsals, keep fit sessions (50- and pleasant surroundings, and 100 members attend) which are under that counts a lot in a lonely life. the careful supervision of two qualified When founded, the policy was physiotherapists from Foresthall, usually end to provide a place where mainly amid much laughter and old-time dancing. “In Friockheim the elderly men could come and go; Less hectic are dominoes, cards, reading and lunches are cooked chat, smoke, look at the television the interminable gossip. Tea and a cake at on the club premises and above all be cosy. Bachelors 3pm costs 4d. and are enjoyed and widowers often find it difficult On the financial side many members claim by members who to provide themselves with a they save as much 4/- to 5/- a day on light, attend the Lunch cosy corner and this clubroom is fuel and food at home.” greatly appreciated by those who Club but also by Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin, 1967 many who are use it in winter as a place where housebound. there is friendship and warmth, Some of these and with that goes the chance to meals are delivered economise on the ever increasing by the more active cost of heat and light at home… members of At Christmas there are little gifts, the Club.” and this year to some 30 who still Old People’s Welfare, have coal fires, there was a box Scottish Bulletin, 1967 of kindling wood. The verger of the Episcopal Church sawed and chopped the lot.” Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

Hives of Industry “It is impossible to be a club member and to feel unwanted and useless. The days of sitting back and of being entertained have gone except for those whose strength permits no more. Hives of Industry is a more apt description of the clubs. While games of whist, darts and carpet bowls are still as popular as ever, libraries have grown up, dressmaking classes and knitting have been busily engaged in, a cobbling group is about to start…” Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin

Dundee Old People’s Welfare Committee Opens a Bring or Buy Shop, 1968 “It was not our own idea to open a shop in aid of funds for the Dundee Old People’s Welfare Committee, but we had read in an edition of the Scottish Bulletin of the Dalry House Shop in Edinburgh and decided to try a similar one in Dundee. We approached Dalry House and the Committee most kindly gave us the benefit of its experience. The Woodside Club, run by Aberdeen Old People’s Welfare Committee, received £1500 from the King George VI Foundation, Old People’s Club Development Scheme Scottish Committee.

Transport to Scheme to purchase bring people a Bedford ambulance which by means of a Lamb’s House hydraulic lift would “Lamb’s House was help us to transport awarded £1200 from the amputation cases the King George VI and the very frail old Old People’s Club people in their own We were able to rent a shop near the centre of Dundee and Development chairs right to Lamb’s over a few months collected a stock of good cast-off House. Transport to clothing, bric-a-brac, household linen, books, glass and bring people to the chinaware. On completion of one year’s trading we centre to have their found the venture most worthwhile. Our customers, laundry done, for old and young, appreciate the bargains offered and baths, hairdressing our helpers agree that although the work is hard it is physiotherapy, lunch very rewarding. Members of the Townswomen’s Guild and above all to have generously joined with many other ladies to staff belong once more to the shop which opens three days a week: Thursdays, a family where there Fridays and Saturdays. Each Wednesday afternoon is is laughter, fun and a spent sorting and pricing goods and making the shop sense of belonging.” ready for opening.” Old People’s Welfare, Old People’s Welfare, Scottish Bulletin, 1968 Scottish Bulletin, 1968 PAGE TWENTY

1970 1971 1971 1972 SOPWC AGM presents “The World Britain goes decimal. SOPWC Lord Polwarth, Minister of the Elderly” portable exhibition The old money - becomes of State for Scotland, – “a vivid portrayal of what it is like pounds, shillings and the Scottish performs the official to become old and alone, what it pence – is replaced Old People’s opening of the new is like to become old and needed”, by a new system Welfare premises of the Scottish produced by 24 young people with 100 pence in Council. Old People’s Welfare working with older people over the pound and no Council at 5 Manor Place a 2 year period. shillings. saying “You are a small, skilled, experienced nucleus, serving a great network of voluntary effort on behalf of the elderly all over Scotland”.

1970s

“Regionalisation” and to working On 21st April 1971 the Scottish Old People’s with the new departments to improve support for older people. Welfare Committee (SOPWC) became the Falkirk Old People’s Welfare Scottish Old People’s Welfare Council and Committee, for example, was represented on the Central adopted an autonomous constitution. Region Social Work Committee. Since 1951 SOPWC had been operating as In conjunction with the Social Work Services Group intensive an independent body in its day to day work training courses on the topic and national activities, but constitutionally “Social Work with the Elderly” were had been an advisory sub-committee of the organised for field and residential social workers employed by local Scottish Council of Social Service. Now an authorities, hospital boards and independent charity, the Council appointed voluntary organisations. its first Director. Age Concern Scotland began to grow and was awarded local authority revenue grant funding After much debate amongst the unitary, all-purpose councils were to appoint a team of 6 field membership, the Council adopted formed. The Social Work (Scotland) development officers working in the name Age Concern Scotland, Act 1968, following the publication retaining the subtitle of the Scottish of the Kilbrandon Report, Grampian, Lothian and Old People’s Welfare Council for revolutionised statutory social Strathclyde Regions. constitutional purposes. Many of welfare services. Local authorities New Counselling Services for the Council’s affiliated old people’s now had a duty “to promote social Older People were developed in welfare committees also chose to welfare”, allowing for much wider Aberdeen, Inverurie, Edinburgh, adopt the Age Concern name, as scope for planning and delivering Clarkston/Glasgow, Greenock/Port did new organisations setting up services. Social Work Departments Glasgow and Paisley. after 1974 who met the charity’s were set up in each of the Regional Meetings and conferences were criteria such as Broomlands and Councils. Many local authorities also organised for club conveners. Bourtreehill Age Concern in Irvine. established Community Education Development Officers also Services following the publication of There were other changes too. In organised a symposium on “Older the Alexander Report (1975). 1975 local government in mainland People in New Towns”. Some of the Scotland was reorganised into a Locally and nationally old people’s new towns had been in existence two-tier system of regional and welfare organisations put great for 20-30 years and the proportion district councils; in the islands effort into keeping abreast with of older people had grown from CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1972 1972 1972 Aberdeen Old People’s Welfare Council Scottish Old People’s The Scottish Old People’s Welfare publishes its “History of Visiting; The first Welfare Council sets Council and its counterpart in twenty-five years”. In 1972 the Council has up a Working Party on England, Age Concern, and the 140 visitors “bringing friendship and material “Elderly People Councils in Ireland and Wales meet help to 190 older people in the city”. at Risk”. in Liverpool to discuss increased cooperation to strengthen the old people’s welfare movement. © West Lothian Archives and Records Centre © Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

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Livingston © Newsquest (Herald & Times) committee members, councillors, almost none in the early years to Aberdeen civil servants, wardens, volunteers approximately half of the national and older people attended average of 16.5% of people over The Charity’s first Housing Officer the events. The first seminars retirement age. Numbers were and Training Officers were highlighted the need for sheltered projected to grow over the next appointed in 1974. Over the housing resulting in almost every 10-15 years and the symposium next five years Age Concern District Council building or planning provided an opportunity for New Scotland organised 19 seminars to build sheltered housing. Training Town Development Corporations, and conferences throughout the courses were also organised for local authorities. and voluntary country. More than 1500 people the wardens of housing, and on organisations to discuss facilities – housing officials, social workers, sheltered housing for older people and planning for older people. housing association staff and with sight or hearing loss.

OBITUARY MISS MARJORIE L SALMON M.A. “It is difficult to appreciate that one and attracted a ready response from of Social Service specialising in work who was at the centre of the Council’s voluntary workers with elderly people. with individual older people and their work in Scotland is no longer with Housing for the elderly was a families and it was soon evident that us. Miss Marjorie L Salmon after an particular concern to Miss Salmon. Miss Salmon had taken up social work illness lasting thirteen months died She made great efforts in 1970 to from a clear sense of calling. She peacefully at her home in Edinburgh encourage the provision of sheltered was intensely interested in people of on the morning of Sunday, housing in Scotland. In April of that all ages. Miss Salmon spent 9 years 15th July, 1973. year she was responsible for a study with the Association where she is Miss Salmon became Education tour for those concerned with housing, remembered with affection. Among and Travelling Officer to the Scottish visiting different types of housing her many gifts was seeing the other Old People’s Welfare Committee in projects in Cheshire. Later, in May person’s point of view and being July, 1964 and in January 1967 was with the cooperation of the National sensitive to their reactions. appointed Secretary to the Committee Federation of Housing Societies, In terms of years this life was and continued to have responsibility Miss Salmon organised a very short but one rich in experience for educational work. successful conference on the and achievement – a truly Miss Salmon became well known subject in Aberdeen. remarkable lady”. throughout Scotland. The courses she Her first social work post was as organised covered a very wide field caseworker with Aberdeen Association Age Concern Scotland Bulletin, 1973 PAGE TWENTY TWO

1974 1974 1974 1975 The Scottish The Working Party Scottish Development Local Old People’s on “Elderly People Department Circular Government Welfare Council at Risk” publishes its 120/975 leads to an Reorganisation. is renamed report containing 65 increase in sheltered Age Concern recommendations housing. Scotland. including a general house to house survey “to identify the elderly at risk”, and for an increase in day club provision and preparation for retirement courses.

1970s I wanted to build “up local committees, so that we could have visiting services, George Foulkes lunch clubs, meals on was the SOPWC/ Age wheels, and get the Councils to do it if the Concern Scotland’s first committees couldn’t Director, taking up post do it themselves - local groups to support older on 24th June 1973. people. My thought George was no stranger to the charity. was that the more of As Director of Enterprise Youth – a a network of groups government sponsored organisation we could have, the promoting community service – he better it would be I was in contact had previously worked with SOPWC on for older people. with every Director of a programme of residential training “ Social Work in Scotland The work of the weekends to introduce young volunteers and got to know them development officers to work with older people. The training really well. There was was to nurture the local events were held Coodham, Kilmarnock. a brilliant Director in committees, some During his tenure as Director of Age Strathclyde Region, Fred of the committees Concern Scotland, the charity’s training Edwards, who was really had been there for and development work expanded, revenue fantastic and social a long time. grant funding was secured for staff posts work people in Lothian, I saw the committees and new work was pioneered in the fields Tayside and Grampian as the bedrock of of counselling, housing and campaigning. but I got to know them the organisation and George left the charity in 1979 when all. Age Concern had a when I was going to elected to Parliament as MP for South good reputation, had Government, UK as Ayrshire, but Age Concern continued a good image and well as the Scottish to be part of his life. His mother, Netta Directors of Social Work Office, I would cite Foulkes, lived with the family in Ayr and would be happy to talk the committees. The played a prominent role in Age Concern to us and to listen to reason they should pay Ayr throughout the 1980s. In 2016 George us. They didn’t always attention to us was became Chairman of the Board of Trustees agree with us but it was because we represented of Age Scotland. good. these people. George” Foulkes George Foulkes” CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1978 1979 1979 1979 Age Concern Scotland Age Concern Conservative Age Concern Scotland campaigns to restore Scotland carries Government. convenes a “Working Party the Death Grant to its out a survey of on Retirement Education” original 1949 value sheltered housing in under the chairmanship realising an increase Aberdeen, Dundee, of Dr Jack Kane, formerly from £30 to £125, and Edinburgh and Lord Provost of Edinburgh for the abolition of Glasgow including and District Secretary of age restrictions which design features, the Workers’ Educational discriminate against tenant selection Association. Jack Kane goes the very old. procedures, on to become Chairperson, managerial Age Concern Scotland, and warden 1983-86 and then Honorary arrangements. Vice President.

“The retired people in each of the four nations of the United Kingdom have different problems to overcome, but one which is common to all is the difficulty of living on a pension in these inflationary times. It is our joint task therefore to see that all retired people in Britain are aware of every benefit that the state provides

for them”. Ltd © The Scotsman Publications Age Concern England Age Concern Scotland Age Concern Wales Age Concern Northern Ireland In 1976 the Supplementary Benefits Commission estimated 60,000 pensioners who were eligible for supplementary pension did not receive it, as a result losing £9 million in unclaimed benefits. Few older people had occupational pensions at this time and many were eligible for the benefit. Age Concern’s“Your Rights”

information guide was published annually 1971 in February club try shopping with the new decimal money Magdala OAP’s throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Youth and age “This spring our Friendship Club enjoyed the hospitality of the pupils and staff of Penpont School. The evening, before Decimal Day, was organised to acquaint us with the use of decimal currency. Each guest was given an envelope with an amount of new coins (dummies) inside and invited to shop at the counters behind which the pupils proved themselves most courteous and adept sales assistants. They were quite expert at handling the change, which gave us our first experience of ‘shopping’ with the new money. Tea when it was served had to be paid out of our allowance. We had been warned at the start not to overspend, at least to keep back sufficient for the tearoom! It was a pleasant evening.” Thornhill Friendship Club, Penpont, Dumfries and Galloway (1971) PAGE TWENTY FOUR

1970s

Letters page, The Falkirk Herald, 1973 Arnotdale House Thank you Lady Avonside opened Arnotdale House on 6th October 1971. For more than 30 years it was Falkirk Old People’s Welfare Sir, - As we approach the end Committee, later Falkirk Age Concern’s base. In the 1970s more of 1973, we the members of than 900 members attended the club benefiting from meals Arnotdale Club, Dollar Park, subsidised by the local authority, and concessionary bus travel can look back on a year during enabling people to access the centre. which we were very well looked It was a lovely house, set in the grounds of Dollar Park. after, in excellent surroundings. “There were two big rooms for entertainment and activities. They had high ceilings and beautiful cornicing. We would hold the No effort has been spared to Christmas lunches there; 120 people at a time over five days. ensure that every comfort was available. We had the pleasure of Margaret Greenhill” enjoying – hot nourishing meals daily, efficiently prepared and The club was efficiently served; afternoon tea, open five days per week, all day, and coffee, biscuits, entertainments by 1973 activities of high quality; Christmas party; included a sewing library, recreational facilities, class, a men’s workroom where discussion rooms; colour picture frames television, games room… and wooden plaques for house Yours, etc names were made, THE MEMBERS OF ARNOTDALE and a choir. CLUB, FALKIRK

All photographs reproduced by kind permission of Falkirk Age Concern CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

Brian Sloan, Betty Weir, Eddi Reader and Jean Reader at the 2016 Age Scotland Awards Ceremony. Jean and Betty were presented with an award for Outstanding Service. “We have incorporated Irvine was built as a boom town and a lot of families moved Age Concern “here and they brought their parents with them, but then they had to move…there were no jobs. A lot had to go back up the into our life” road to Glasgow, so their parents were left here. There was quite Jean Reader and Betty Weir a lot of people on their own. It must have been a lonely life for were both born in Glasgow them, as there was nothing here for them. It was a new scheme. and moved to Irvine New There were no regular buses, no shops, one of the houses was Town in the 1970s. They converted into a wee shop and that was your main shop unless set up Broomlands and you were able to walk up the hill to Dreghorn to the big shop for Bourtreehill Age Concern your messages. with help from the Social We have incorporated Age Concern into our life. We used to Work Department in 1975 go around all the doors just to meet the older people and let and have devoted more than Age Concern. and Bourtreehill kind permission of Broomlands by reproduced Photographs them know about the group. Sometimes they would shut the 40 years to the charity and door in your face as they thought you were selling things! But helping older people in their we worked hard to build bonds with the pensioners. The ones community. They started with a lunch club in the local that couldn’t come to the lunch club we visited them. Jean community centre serving 18 ended up papering one wee woman’s house. We helped a lot of dinners for people who were people with painting, moving houses, laying carpets…There was living on their own. In 1995 a couple who lived on their own. We tried everything to get them Broomlands and Bourtreehill to come to the group but they just wouldn’t come and then the Age Concern opened their own husband came in one day and said his wife had died and he premises providing welfare didn’t know what to do, so we took him into the office and made information and advice, him a cup of tea and we phoned the undertaker to make the lunches, friendship, social arrangements. Betty would take dinner along to him. activities and outings. Jean Reader and Betty Weir ” PAGE TWENTY SIX

1980 1980 1980 Age Concern Scotland supports a network of The A D Despite widespread 220 local Old People’s Welfare and Age Concern Cameron Day support in Scotland, and organisations. The charity opens a Special Centre for Senior one million signatures to Projects Small Grants Fund to assist members Citizens in Largs the UK Petition calling for to develop new services. is opened by an increase in the Death Membership continues to grow to include HRH Princess Grant, the Government individuals and national organisations “united Alexandra, fails to respond. The in their common commitment to improve the following Death Grant remains at quality of life of older people in Scotland”. 6 years of work £30, while the average fundraising and cost of a funeral is £400. securing suitable premises for the centre by Age 19 Concern Largs. 80s Fighting In the early 1980s Age Concern Scotland put great Inequality energy into the development of adult education opportunities for older people. With 3-year funding Campaigning work accelerated in from the Scottish Education Department, Age Concern Scotland set up the National Development the 1980s nationally and locally. The and Resource Group on Education for Older People number of older people aged over 65 (DARG). Four part-time Education Officers were continued to be a growing percentage appointed to help promote pilot schemes and to encourage statutory and voluntary bodies, of the population. Statutory and employers and trades unions to take a greater voluntary services needed to increase interest in providing educational opportunities for and improve to match the changing older people. Small grants were provided to local organisations to develop living memory and more complex needs of work, creative writing, arts and crafts older people, particularly the classes, yoga and chair exercise, and growing number of frail older intergenerational activities. people who had been born From 1984 onwards, through the leadership of Mary Marshall, Age at the turn of the century Concern Scotland embarked on a and were now aged 75 plus, policy of focussing on a particular and to tackle inequalities. theme each year to bring into the open problems that had been around for some time but had previously

Lifting the issues were likely to be People were angry, upset, Scotland which by then and what people were overwhelmed – carers, was consolidating and taboo on concerned about. In the professionals, (though growing. Scottish Action Dementia case of dementia, people sadly not any people with on Dementia decided no would not go home; dementia), and voluntary organisation existed to organisations. They were We always had they would not leave support the professionals. “a conference on the the conference. They all feeling that dementia The carers had their theme before the year were not going home services were a big mess. organisation, but the began to get the groups until they had set up an Scottish Action on professionals didn’t. and the professionals organisation – which Dementia achieved (The Scottish Dementia together and anyone else became Scottish Action the most astonishing Working Group was set up who was interested, to on Dementia. We realised things. In the end, it subsequently). They came work out what the key we had hit on something. merged with Alzheimer’s up with this terrific idea CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1981 The 1980s Campaign Themes The 1989 Focus on Falls theme enabled Age Concern Age Concern 1984 Health is Wealth Scotland publishes Scotland to look at a range of 1985 Reach Out (Action on Dementia) “Retirement issues around the quality of life of older people including Education in 1986 Stake a Claim chiropody, home safety, and Scotland” the report 1987 Celebrating Age drugs. The charity worked of the Working Party. 1988 Housing A Real Choice? with physiotherapists and The report calls on 1989 Focus on Falls people who had fallen to the Secretary of learn about the issue. State to take the lead The theme was carried through much of the charity’s work keeping the topic 10,000 information leaflets in providing a broad in the public eye through meetings, were produced focussing on framework of policies conferences and training events, Falls Prevention, and many and services which publications, project work and grants. local member organisations organisations can It was also the focus for activities adopted Falls as the theme base their activities. during Old People’s Week. for their AGMs.

attracted little public concern. Attention was drawn to the plight of older people and their carers affected by dementia, to poverty and the need for initiatives We were very of difference… We knew, to support older people to find out about and apply confident“ about our facts. for example, the numbers for much needed welfare benefits, and to the The little information of older people living housing needs of the majority of older people who cards we used were in poverty and were wanted to remain in their homes. such a clever outraged at that. The idea… I went once grassroots projects The importance of hard facts and information was to speak at a fed information key to tackling misinformation and engaging support. Strathclyde Elderly through to us all Age Concern Scotland opened an Information Unit, Forum meeting in the time which and appointed its first Information Officer to provide Coatbridge and was really good. information services to local Age Concern/Old Donald Dewar and The local groups People’s Welfare Groups and the increasing number John Smith were also meant we of older people and their families, professional staff there, both of could go and meet and students seeking help and information from the them speaking to a room older people and hear charity. As time went on a borrowing library holding full of pensioners and what they had to say. books and photographs was established. The library both of them fished out I also spent a lot time was supported by grant funding from Help the Aged. their information cards. with Strathclyde Elderly The range of publications expanded to include the Forum, hearing their tales, If you have the popular and widely distributed Adage News Bulletin, absorbing their anger. published every two months, Housing, Facts and information and it is clear, Figures (1983) and Older People in Scotland: it makes a huge amount Mary Marshall ” The Basic Facts (1985). of a centre whose job was support staff and to Scottish Action on without that support. training, informing, and set up an office in the Dementia was an They flounder without the supporting professionals. University of Stirling. organisation that set basics of an office and It was unique. They got It was extraordinary. itself up and had the secretariat until they find the government to fund Following Scotland, centres confidence and brass neck their feet properly it for three years. were set up in every part to achieve a great deal. Mary Marshall of the United Kingdom Age Concern Scotland ” Well that was the job Director, Age Concern over the next two or three was able to provide it with that I got – directing Scotland 1983-89, and the Dementia Services years. Creating dementia a home for a couple of services development years. We held it while it the first Director of Development Centre. I had the Dementia Services three years of money, to centres is an astonishing was a fledgling- before it achievement, from flew off. These very new Development Centre at employ a training officer, the University of Stirling. a development officer and nothing. organisations rarely start PAGE TWENTY EIGHT

1982 1982 1983 Age Concern Scotland sets up Sunday 3rd October 1982 is The first Age DARG under the chairmanship designated the first “Old People’s Concern Scotland of Dr Ethel Gray, President of Sunday”. A working group comprised Assembly is held in the Scottish Institute of Adult of representatives of the churches and Arnotdale House. Education (SIAE), to improve religious organisations coordinates The Assemblies and expand educational activities including providing a leaflet are held twice a opportunities for older with information about demographic year in different people. trends and hymns, prayers and locations to bring readings relevant to the Church members together Service focussed on older people. to discuss issues of joint concern and strengthen mutual co-operation. 19 s 80s Fighting Inequality

Over and beyond all that is “done by the larger organisations both statutory and voluntary, I am impressed by the “many coloured tapestry” of service rendered by small groups, working on the “good neighbour” or person to person Helping Hands principle. What countless thousands of in Paisley and ordinary folk of all sorts, in quiet and unspectacular ways, are saying to some older person, ‘I care for you; Johnstone I care about you’. Age Concern, it seems to me, has as In 1982 Age Concern Community Enterprise in one of its main objectives to increase the number and Renfrewshire set up the effectiveness of caring people. Helping Hands project ” Leonard Small with funding from the Age Concern Scotland Annual Report 1982/83 Manpower Services Commission Community Over its 75 years the charity has had a succession of remarkable Enterprise Programme. chairs. None more so than The Very Rev Dr R Leonard Small, Chair, The Helping Hands Age Concern Scotland, 1979-82 and then Honorary President. volunteers in Paisley and Leonard had been a Moderator of the Church of Scotland and Johnstone provided home through his work at Age Concern Scotland led on the spiritual visiting assistance and needs of older people. He was much loved, well respected and help with a variety hugely well connected. of practical tasks such as minor household repairs, cleaning EEC Food for the Needy Programme in Falkirk windows, shopping, In 1987 Arnotdale House in Falkirk was one of a number of EEC escorts on hospital visits Butter Distribution Centres set up Age Concerns in Scotland. The and support in times of programme was administered by Age Concern Scotland. Many crisis to 300 older people older people unable to go to the distribution centres were visited each year. with a personal delivery service by local Age Concerns. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1983 1983 1983 Castlemilk Care with a Chair Age Concern Scotland Elderly Forum is Campaign, launched in Development Officers created to give England, receives Scottish produce the “Ideas older people a support. The Scottish into Action Pack” for political voice Grocers Federation and local groups. The pack to improve local many local shopkeepers comprises 12 leaflets services – it’s the and disabled groups join covering common areas first group of its Age Concern Scotland of interest for members kind in Britain, to promote the idea of such as being a committee and inspires providing a chair for member, committee forums to be older shoppers. skills, running a transport formed across scheme, and setting up a Scotland. visiting service.

Pioneering Charity Shop and Welfare Advice Centre in Ayr In 1980 to make their services provided by trained counsellors. White, Nessa Foulkes and Bertie more accessible and attractive Age Concern Ayr also organised McCubbin – the founders of the Age Concern Ayr opened a charity public meetings to propose the charity shop and welfare service. shop and welfare centre. The founding of an Ayrshire Hospice, Bertie first got involved when shop did a roaring trade and when a Hospice Trust he was widowed and started with people coming was subsequently attending Ayr Old People’s Welfare from as far afield formed the Committee Lunch Club held in as Glasgow charity initiated Carrick Street Halls. He became to purchase fundraising Treasurer of Age Concern Ayr from clothing and with a 1975 and maintained detailed to help raise donation hand written ledgers recording money for of £22,000 the donations raised from coffee the charity’s from the mornings, flag days and the welfare proceeds of charity shop. His daughter, Julia service their shop. Templeton (pictured left), took and other over as Treasurer from her dad in Bessie good causes. 1985 on a temporary basis that Otterson Volunteers (pictured right) lasted 30 years! collected was a volunteer in donations for the One day in the shop when the Age Concern Ayr she went to go home Netta shop from people’s shop for 26 years. Bessie “ homes. Information and advice Foulkes went to put her coat helped in the shop on Fridays on. Her coat wasn’t there, it on housing and benefits and and fondly remembers Jenny things to do in retirement was had been sold!” Holidays in Fife Home Truths in Govan In 1983 Age Concern Buckhaven In 1987 Johnnie Beattie launched Age Concern Govan’s Project report and Methil purchased a caravan “Home Truths” at the Age Concern Scotland to provide holidays for older Spring Assembly. “Home Truths” people. The caravan was funded by John Carr summarised the views by an Age Concern of housebound older people about Scotland the help they needed. This included Special education and artistic stimulation not Projects usually available to them. Johnnie grant. Beattie spoke about the importance of listening to older people. PAGE THIRTY

1984 1985 1986 1986 Age Concern Scotland There are now Help the Aged It’s the coldest February holds a conference 9 Elderly Forums sets up an office since 1947. Pensioners on dementia leading in Strathclyde. in Scotland. are dying of hypothermia to the formation The Strathclyde and cold related illness. of Scottish Action Elderly Forum is Age Concern Scotland on Dementia, the established and takes the Secretary of following year. holds its first State to court over the conference to system of cold weather publicise the payments in Scotland, work of the but loses the legal local forums on challenge. housing, transport, health and 19 s welfare issues. 80s Fighting Inequality The first Care and Repair project in Scotland was started by Age Concern Scotland, Edinburgh District Council and Shelter in Tollcross in Edinburgh in 1985. Age Concern Scotland employed 3 Care and Repair staff Age Concern Scotland “believes that every elderly to assist older people to obtain repairs to their properties household has the right to that would improve their quality of life and enable them a decent home. A decent to remain in their homes. They helped older people plan home should be warm, improvements, sort out finances, fill in grant forms, and adapted to the person’s supervise workmen. needs and at a price the person can afford… Many In the first year the project raised over £100,000 from grants and of the growing number loans to help over 200 people in Tollcross carry out essential repairs. In of elderly people do not January 1986 the Western Isles project started and swiftly expanded have a decent home. employing Age Concern Scotland staff in Barra, North Uist, and South Elderly households Uist as well as Harris and Lewis. Improving crofts raised particular are disproportionately challenges because of their remote location. Age Concern Scotland concentrated in the and Shelter continued to lobby for more services like Care and Repair private sector and and Age Concern projects also got underway in Leith in 1988, and the in houses that lack Applecross peninsula in Wester Ross in 1989 which rapidly built up a a bath. case load of 44 clients in the first operating year. “Housing,” Facts and Figures” Putting the grants for them to do that. There was quite a big take Age Concern Care into Care up over the years and Scotland,1983 and Repair we renovated hundreds The publication highlights “Leith Care and Repair of houses putting new the higher numbers of started in a flat in bathroom suites in, new people in Council housing Admiralty Street in Leith. wet floor areas, rewiring in Scotland, compared It started off we went around houses, putting lights in to the rest of the UK, and knocking at doors advertising to for the first time and helping a lot also the relatively high say that we were available and of vulnerable people along the number of older people in that there were grants available road because they were staying privately rented housing. for people, mostly elderly people, in really poor conditions…Some to get their houses renovated. of the tenements still had outside There was 90%, sometimes 100% toilets which were in the tenement CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1987 1987 1987 The Policy paper “Age Concern “Dangerous Cold” The former Scottish Council wants Action on Dementia” is by Dr Euan Lloyd is of Social Services adopts the published. Age Concern Scotland published drawing new name of the Scottish delivers “Understanding Dementia” attention to cold Council for Voluntary training for member groups, and related illness. Organisations. Age Concern publishes a “Local Action for Scotland participates in the Dementia” Resource Pack. in SCVO Working Party on Short Term Funding – an issue of great concern to the voluntary sector.

building… A lot of houses had rising down the side of mattresses and Age Concern members damp and there were grants to get there were, I kid you not, hundreds were heavily involved rid of the rising damp which was of mice lived in this house in these in the 1987 Stake a health hazard… Some had no mattresses. It took a while to get a Claim campaign running hot water and people had in to the house, and it took a while especially during to boil a kettle to wash and shave. to get the woman’s confidence Old People’s Week We had a good rapport with the that the house needed done up. organising numerous people in Leith and the system just So we got her moved out to a local take up grew from there. guest house and we fumigated the campaigns, training We worked closely with the grants house and the mice were actually sessions, stalls and department in the Council. They jumping at us… At the end of the displays to help older were great. They would come afternoon we lost count after people claim their out and visit with us. They 400 mice were killed. We were full entitlement of would take notes and shovelling them into bags benefit allowances, tell you what grants and that woman was insulation grants and are available for living in this. other payments. Age the client and It took another Concern Scotland they bent over couple of weeks to produced a range of backwards to get the rest of the Information resources help. Without mice that had fled to support different the grants we and were dying in ways of getting the wouldn’t have other parts of the message out including got half the work building. Everybody a guide to setting done. These people was warned that up an information never had the money this was going to service called “Enquire to modernise their happen. That lady had Within” and a film for houses. Pensions back then, a good lease of life when we older people about old people living on their own, moved her back into a modernised the policies of the there wasn’t any spare money, apartment - new kitchen, new day, fronted by Jimmy there was just money to live on. bathroom, no vermin, no vermin in Logan, and launched the tenement, we got rid of the lot during Old People’s There was one old lady we helped. Week. Her living accommodation was - and she led a good life for many three mattresses, one on top of years after it.” each other and there were holes Tam Bruce maybe 2 inches in diameter, all Care and Repair Edinburgh, over the mattresses and right 1988 - 2018 PAGE THIRTY TWO

1987 1988 1988 In partnership with the A public meeting aimed at The Griffiths Report, Scottish Council on Disability forming Age Concern Orkney “Community Care: An and Help the Aged, Age leads to the setting up a Agenda for Action” is Concern Scotland sets up new committee to build on published. Age Concern a Winter Warmth Advice the success of Voluntary Scotland, together with Age Helpline operating during Services Orkney’s “Voluntary Concern England and Age winter 1987/88. Project for the Elderly” which Concern Wales, table an Early had established a volunteer Day Motion in Parliament network to help older people urging the highest priority be with shopping, grass cutting given to its implementation. and decorating.

19 s 80s Fighting Inequality

The Club Secretary looking after The start of her members Walking Groups For more than 30 years, Jean in Grampian Glen was Secretary of the Knightswood Wednesday Club “It was while I was and, her husband, John Glen was working as a full-time convener. The club had more than Community Education 90 members. to let them know at the hotel that we had arrived and I Worker in Bucksburn, “In those days the Secretary did discovered that I had two bus Aberdeen that I first really all the work, all the organising… loads and it suddenly dawned The club met every week, in got involved with working on me how many people I with older people – that the afternoon, I would have was responsible for, and it was organised speakers or what quite a shock to discover that was about 1982. There was might interest them… Trying to I was responsible for all of a big gap in the market. get speakers in an afternoon was those people. The community centre I worked difficult because most of them in had a very wide programme worked, but we managed, we However, it became second but the bit that was missing was managed quite well. nature. On an outing, they had a lovely day, whereas I was older people. The only thing that We always had an outing in busy looking after them, and really happened was that once the summer. And that was the people who couldn’t come a month about 150 older people organised… ‘Where would you I always sent them a postcard, came into the centre for their like to go?’ ‘Ayr.’ ‘Ayr.’ ‘We were so I had to get postcards, and pensioners’ meeting. They were there the last time.’ So there was write them, so that they felt fed, watered and entertained and always a long discussion, but it they weren’t left out. To me sent home again and I remember usually ended up that we went to that was the way you looked thinking there’s more to life than Ayr! Or we went to Helensburgh after people, just to say that this! So in 1982 we did a small and across to Luss, across the hill. they weren’t forgotten because survey in two parts of Aberdeen One time I had taken the club they weren’t there, to me that city. From the word go our plan, in to North Berwick, and I had was important at the time.” true community education style, was that whatever we did had CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1989 1989 1989 Help the Aged’s “Needs The Dementia In co-operation with housing Survey in Scotland” Services groups Age Concern Scotland identifies transport as Development Centre successfully campaigns the biggest area of unmet is established at for amenity housing to be need for older people. Stirling University. exclude from the Right to Buy legislation in the Local Government and Housing Bill.

The first Ramblers Rendezvous, Leith Hall, Huntly, 1990 Photographs reproduced by kind permission of Marjory D’Arcy

to involve older people - it wasn’t about being done all we asked. We didn’t spell out any activities at all, for, it was about encouraging them to be involved, and I think 15 quite brave people signed up. Some and to take responsibility wherever possible. Activities of them had been in the walking groups. We had developed from 1982 up to about 1985, by which two minibuses, one with two canoes strapped on time we had quite a good programme going in at the top, which got really strange looks! By the end least two places in Aberdeen. of the week, they’d all been in a chairlift, they’d all In 1985 I got a phone call from my colleague to say been in a canoe, in a dinghy. It was so successful ‘I’m sitting in the office with an Outdoor Education that they said ‘more people need to do this’. So they guy and we’ve come up with an idea and we want to went to the Education Committee and as a result we know if you’d be in on it’ and I said, ‘yes, whatever it got support and funding from the authority to run is!’. He then said ‘what about doing something with these courses – two a year for ten years. The walking walking and older people?’, so we set up the Triangle groups just started to grow like topsy… Project. We identified three areas in the city – two of By the late 1980s, Grampian Region did a the ones we’d already been working with – and we review of Community Education…one of the 92 set up three walking groups, which was absolutely recommendations was that they should make a post unheard of. We used the community minibus, 13 or of a Development Officer for Older People across 14 people came in the minibus, and we just did very the region. I got this post in 1989, October I think it simple things, we went for walks. We eventually got was. By this time the initial three walking groups said somebody to take responsibility for registers and ‘we need to get all these groups together that are contacts and even some people learned to drive the all over the place’. So I said, ‘right, are you going to minibus and people just loved it. plan it?’ and they said ‘yes, we’ll plan it’ so we all did By 1985, we then thought ‘let’s do something even it together and they decided it would be called the more different, let’s do a residential course’, so Ramblers’ Rendezvous…” we invited 15 people to come and enjoy 5 days in Marjory D’Arcy Grantown-on-Spey, to enjoy the out of doors. That’s Chair, Grampian 50 Plus Network PAGE THIRTY FOUR

1990 1990 1991 “NHS and Community The Open University Milan Senior Welfare Care Act” is passed launches a new study Council is founded to bringing about changes pack “Working with Older provide support for older to the way services are People” at events in people from the Indian, planned and provided Glasgow and Inverness. Pakistani, Bangladeshi & impacting both on Topics include minority Mauritian Communities in people requiring care and ethnic groups, the daily Edinburgh & Lothian. older people’s groups and lives of informal carers, Age Concern Scotland organisations providing innovation in community theme this year is care services. and residential care, “Growing Old in a mental health, and the Multicultural Scotland.” increasing role of the private sector in caring 1990s for older people. MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD

The implementation process, and a pack was published “Taking part in community care planning: the involvement of user of the new Community Care groups, carer groups and voluntary groups”. legislation was a major focus of In 1994 the charity adopted a two year theme work for Age Concern Scotland ‘Care in the Community’ to examine many of the and member organisations issues around implementation including charging policies, the provision of home care, and older throughout the 1990s. Age Concern people’s involvement in determining the community Scotland’s 1990 theme “Opening care services that would be of most help to them. Doors on Day Care” highlighted Conferences were held to promote understanding of the needs of older people and the involvement the resources and expertise of of older people’s organisations in the provision of member organisations in this area, services, and the pioneering Fife Users Panels were and the increasing importance of developed. Age Concern Scotland also held a debate, chaired by Ruth Wishart, on the question of long community care services being term care and how it would be paid for. provided by local day centres. The charity restructured in April 1996 following local government re-organisation. This led to The campaign was launched in the Dixon Halls new activities providing direct support to older Centre in Glasgow. The centre had started many people, particularly people living in scattered rural years earlier as a lunch club with a programme of communities who faced particular problems with activities organised by older people for older people. access to services, transport and information. Recently the centre had expanded its services Additional development staff were appointed to include transport to the centre for isolated, to support work in local communities including housebound older people, a good neighbour in Hawick and Duns in the Scottish Borders, and scheme, day care for people with dementia and Lochaber and Badenoch and Strathspey in Highland. respite for carers. A fundraising team was engaged. Part of their role The immediate concern around Community Care was to attract donations for Age Concern Scotland’s legislation was to ensure that older people were grants programme for member groups, renamed involved and able to contribute to the creation of the Enterprise Fund. Many individuals, trusts and the local authority community care plans which businesses generously contributed to this fund each were to be produced by April 1992. The charity’s year. Member groups and organisations could then development officers worked hard to create apply for a small grant to help with the purchase of networks for consultation to support older people’s equipment, or the costs of starting up new activities groups and organisations to engage in the planning or services for the benefit of older people. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1992 1992 1993 The Scottish Pensioners European Year of Older 14,000 Scottish Forum is established as People and Solidarity pensioners celebrate an umbrella organisation Between the Generations Age Concern Scotland’s for groups and individuals is held to raise awareness Golden Jubilee at 200 working and campaigning of issues of ageing, to simultaneous tea for a better deal for older promote positive images dances in an attempt to people. The Forum works of older people, and set a world record for the closely with retired trade facilitate exchange biggest tea dance ever. union branches to ensure of experience and The largest single event their views are heard. good practice takes place in Aberdeen across the European and is attended by community. 510 dancers.

Throughout the 1990s people came together to form new community organisations and older people’s clubs and groups providing friendship, fun, social activities and practical services. Older The Fife Users Panel “It was a unique project, People’s Week, European Year of Older People Project pioneered the designed by Joyce and Solidarity Between the Generations development of panels Cormie who was the and Tea on the Water were important dates to enable older people Development Officer in in the calendar for many older people’s who were hard to reach Fife. Her aim was ‘how organisations. Campaigning organisations and engage to express do you involve service were set up nationally and elderly forums their views. Seven panels users who are quite grew in strength and number lobbying on were established across frail?’ She was concerned pensions and important local issues. Fife. Panel members about those who have discussed with each services provided for other their experiences them but little say. She of growing older and devised a programme of using health and that brought together Help the Aged also expanded its activity social care services, quite vulnerable people, in Scotland. Help the Aged’s fundraising and commenting on issues on a regular basis, to grants giving programmes were backed by such as the quality look at what the local many organisations and individuals, especially of long stay care, GP council was suggesting young people who took part in a variety of services, home care and they needed and to imaginative fundraising activities. The money complaints procedures. influence and suggest raised provided valuable support to many local The panels came up some changes. They older people’s groups and organisations, and with 14 points for good were effective, and the Scottish Dementia Services Development hospital discharge based before their time. We Centre. Across the UK, the charity campaigned on their own personal have focus groups vigorously to put the plight of older people experiences and what and juries and other experiencing food and fuel poverty on the they would consider engagement events and political and public radar, organising the hard good practice which the Government consult hitting “Heating or Eating” campaign. In 1995 influenced changes in a lot, but this was very, Help the Aged’s freephone telephone service services. The project very focussed on a was set up in Scotland. SeniorLine provided evaluation report “If smallish group of people detailed advice on welfare and disability they would listen” with high level needs benefits, cold weather payments and a wide was widely distributed who often aren’t heard.” range of advice and information on local throughout Britain. sources of practical help for older people, and Maureen O’Neill operated until 2003 when it was absorbed into the charity’s UK operation. PAGE THIRTY SIX

1993 1993 1994 1994 Local residents from two Church of Age Concern Age Concern Age Concern Scotland’s Scotland congregations establish a Scotland Scotland and “Partnerships in Rural charitable organisation to address campaigns against the Scottish Community Care” the problems of social exclusion the introduction Council for Conference in Inverness and deprivation in the Bellshill of VAT on fuel, the Single hears from older people community. In 1995 they open lobbying MPs Homeless involved in community Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre and the Scottish carry out organisations in providing a range of services in Office and research into Dunbeath, Durness, the community. providing detailed homelessness Lockerbie, and Skye on information on the and older local initiatives to ensure potential impact people. older people living in of VAT on fuel rural areas can remain for pensioners in in the communities they 1990s Scotland. have lived and worked in. MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD

Housing was really important. The focus on housing highlighted a number of things we should be thinking about to support an older population - what was going on in housing policy, what sort of houses, were they damp? as well as initiatives to do with supported housing. Helen Carlin and Jess Barrow made things happen. They worked closely with the Scottish Executive to A HOME MEANS A ROOF get issues on the agenda. They also OVER YOUR HEAD worked with the RICAS to try to get IT IS SOMEWHERE YOU I joined as Director September guidelines to make designs suitable FEEL SECURE AND WHERE for all generations; for instance, loos 1993. I remember my job interview. YOU CAN INVITE YOUR “ and bathrooms on the ground floor, FRIENDS Rev Leonard Small was there and he said, ‘why do you want this job?’ and easy access for wheelchairs and so on. IT IS SOMEWHERE YOU I replied, ‘because I would love it’, One of the constants, and it still is, was CAN AFFORD TO HEAT cold weather and the impact on older AND RUN, and I always did. It was a powerful people. Every year we ran a campaign WHICH DOESN’T TRAP and effective organisation and I think we achieved a great deal. What I about the issues and I spent quite a YOU INSIDE, AND WHICH bit of time on the media talking about IS IN GOOD REPAIR. remember was having a fantastic group of staff who were really motivated. We good neighbours and fuel poverty and had local development teams which poverty in general and these issues, supported local initiatives, a policy sadly are still around. and public affairs team, including ”Maureen O’Neill, information, a housing team and an Director, Age Concern Scotland, embryonic enterprise company. 1993-2004

The Applecross Lunch Club enough in summer but in winter, the community minibus to access was one of the many older when the Bealach Na Ba pass local services including the lunch people’s groups to benefit from was blocked by snow the only club. The whole community the Enterprise Fund. When the access was via the coast road pulled together to raise the local petrol filling station closed which meant an 80 mile trip. This sum of £40,000, including a down in 1992 Applecross’s 250 was a real problem for all, but contribution from the Enterprise residents had a 40 mile round trip especially for the large number of Fund, to set up their own self- to get fuel from Lochcarron. Bad older people who depended on service filling station in 1995. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1995 1995 1995 The Food Train begins in Polish Connections Age Concern Scotland Dumfries following publication of Scotland, Age publishes the Bill of Rights a community survey in Lochside Concern Scotland to encourage new Councils that found many older people and Polish to be aware of the needs of are struggling to do their weekly organisations in older people as the plan and grocery shopping. The Food Train Edinburgh, with deliver services, and also is a partnership of local shops support from to highlight the important and volunteers making deliveries Lothian Region contribution older people of fresh groceries to older people Social Work make to the delivery of a in need. department, set range of local services. up Ogniszko, at the time Scotland’s only Polish lunch and social club.

90 older people took part in a walking holiday in Austria as part of European Year of Older People and Solidarity Between the Generations. Organised by Grampian Regional Council Helen Simpson started working as Community Education, the holiday an administrator with Help the Aged culminated in a visit to the European in November 1993, and is now Age Parliament in Strasbourg where they attended a reception hosted by Winnie Scotland’s Community Resource Officer. Ewing MEP. Age Concern Scotland “We used to have a schools programme. Hector awarded 36 Enterprise Fund grants in was the mascot. The Fundraising Team which 1993 to assist member organisations was growing at that time used to go out to the with educational visits to other European schools not only to try to raise money but to countries and for reminiscence sessions educate children about older people and what across the generations. Help the Aged does. We had fundraisers who would work with businesses and groups who were looking for help. We had one fundraiser who helped raise money toward the Iris Murdoch Centre at Stirling University. We were branching out all over. We had fundraising committees who used to do high profile events. We did an arts exhibition that travelled round Scotland selling pictures by well known artists to raise funds. We used to do abseils and mountain bike competitions. I did a few charity abseils myself. It was great to get involved in it.” PAGE THIRTY EIGHT

1996 1996 1996 Age Concern Scotland’s Users Panels work with Age Concern Local Home Truths campaign an architect to improve Scotland launches Government calls for better designed housing design feeding in its city-wide Care Reorganisation affordable housing and information on what barrier and Repair Service replaces Regional an end to the misery of free housing would look in Edinburgh with a and District older people being unable like to the development of presentation at the Councils in to adequately heat their housing design guides for home of its 5000th Scotland with homes. As part of the older people. “small repair” client 32 single unitary campaign, the Fife and holds a ceilidh authorities. at Dalry House. A handy person service working with 1990s volunteers is set up. MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD

Spotlight on Transport “On my second day at Age Concern Scotland I was a “The job of Community Development Worker speaker at a rally outside was a very nitty gritty job - get out there, find St Andrews House about out what people want, and make it happen. accessible, affordable, available transport. This was Very quickly after I started work with Age Concern I got a theme that remained a the chance to go to the Community Transport Association constant for the whole time annual conference down in Blackpool and it really gave me I was with Age Concern. The a great grounding in what community transport was and concessionary bus passes were what the potential and possibilities were, for the Highlands important. I think people were in particular, and it just opened my eyes to the legislation paying about £10 a year to that supported community transport, and also the huge their local council but there number of people that were out there doing their own thing were variations throughout to develop their own solutions. Early on we helped to get Scotland. Consistency was community transport going locally, both in Lochaber and in always a big issue.” Badenoch & Strathspey. Maureen O’Neill When I go into the local shops today, I see older people who have come out shopping by minibus or with the community car scheme. I’m really delighted when I see that as several community minibuses and shopping services were started as a result of sitting down with older people and asking ‘What do you really need? What would make life better for older people?’ And when I’m in the supermarket, I often see the Lochaber Action on Disability bus coming in. That was one of the first services. They came to me after they got their The 1997 Age Concern Scotland minibus and asked ‘Is there anything we can do to help get Here We Go Campaign called older people out to the shops?’ And they still do a run from for a national concessionary the sheltered housing complexes …” fare scheme for all older people, and the funding and Jo Cowan development of community Age Concern Scotland/ transport services. Age Scotland Development Officer, 1996-2015 CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1996 1997 University researchers “Disconnected Mind” led Aberdeen Old People’s Welfare Council rediscover the Mental Health by Professor Ian Deary of unveils an exciting new development Survey (1947) test results the University of Edinburgh. in the care of older people living stored in a basement at Over the next 20 years more with dementia. The Council opens Edinburgh University. These than 1000 of the original Woodgrove – a purpose build were IQ tests carried out participants – the Lothian community based dementia home with every child in Scotland Birth Cohort 1936 – are for 40 residents. The Scottish aged 11 in 1947. With periodically retested for their Dementia Services Development support from Help the cognitive abilities and health Centre has approved the location and Aged and later Age UK, the helping to shed light on how provided expert advice on the design. discovery leads to a major our brain ages. research project called

Members of the Movin’ Aboot – from St Winin’s Over 60s Cub celebrating 25 years, Aberdeenshire to Highland March 2018 “I still have my Movin’ Aboot T shirt! Marjory D’Arcy, Edna Matthew and others started Movin’ Aboot seated physical activity. It Building Bridges together and become friends. became a really big thing for us in There is a great atmosphere. Highland- getting older people who in Kilwinning We meet weekly, we start in were in homes or day care doing “We used to go in and help clean August through to Christmas and physical activity. I was dispatched the church and we would sit and we have about a month off and to meet the committee of Movin’ have a wee cup of tea and we we start back in January up until Aboot which was in Aberdeenshire thought ‘could we no have Easter. There was a waiting list as they had aspirations about a wee club?’” to get in, there was that many moving into other parts of people had heard what a good Ruth Scoular and Roseanne Scotland. I think our first course club it was. The reason we keep Jamieson helped to start the St in Lochaber was in September numbers at 60 is for the coaches Winin’s Over 60s Club in Kilwinning 1998. That was a really big piece of for the outings, because you don’t in 1993 providing friendship and work. They did a lot of training with want to say to folk, ’you can’t go’. social activities for older people, people in care homes, day centres We still have a waiting list. and club, and I still meet people and building bridges in the who did the training. Movin’ Aboot community. Ruth was elected We found that some people caught people’s imagination, it was secretary and Roseanne became never came to the club until they about activity and that positive the tea convener. were widowed. You found that they didn’t go away out for even move to keep people active.” “The title of the club then was St a day on their own, but they have Photograph courtesy of Marjory D’Arcy courtesy Photograph Jo Cowan Winin’s Over 60s Friendship Club done it with the company. We and on the constitution it was have had some great holidays non-denominational. It was open and days away. We’ve been to anybody and people brought to Ireland, Denmark three or friends. We just chatted at first as four times, and Norway and we didn’t really know each other. to different places in Scotland. It is great how we all blended. A lot of friendships have been These were people that we grew made and we have had a few up with in the town and we just marriages! And if any member knew that they went to different lost their partner or anything the churches and we didn’t know Still Movin’ Aboot in Aberdeenshire 20 support has been here.” them, and now we are friends. years on – residents of Dyce Sheltered Housing enjoying the music, fun and chair The club has allowed the two Ruth Scoular and based exercise, August 2018 religions within the area to come Roseanne Jamieson PAGE FORTY

1997 1997 1999 The Scottish Pensioners Help the Aged launches Nell McFadden, Forum sets up and leads the Speaking Up for Chairperson, the Campaign for Fair Our Age programme Strathclyde Elderly Pensions calling on the new to support new older Forum addresses the Westminster Government to people’s forums to set “Breaking the Age increase state pensions, and up and existing forums Barrier” conference restore the link with earnings. to expand and network organised by Age effectively. Concern Scotland and Paisley University to confront ageism, as s part of activities for 1990 International Year of MAKING OUR Older Persons. VOICES HEARD

Polmont Age Concern’s Wednesday Club established 1994 and Better still going strong thanks to the Government dedication of its volunteers for Older “It was a very small group “I was quite a new person People in South when it started. We chose in the village, and the lady a Wednesday to have a living next door to me asked Lanarkshire meeting and six people if I’d like to help at the Age “When I became Provost of East Kilbride, I spent a lot turned up and we asked Concern coffee evening. I of time giving support, help and encouragement to them what they would enjoyed it and was invited older people’s groups who were just at the beginning like us to do. Their answer on the committee. I did of their campaign to get their voice heard in the was they just needed that for a year or two and community. a cup of tea and a wee then they asked me if I blether and maybe a wee would be President – 44 South Lanarkshire Council became involved in the bit of singing and wee bit years later I’m still here! pilot initiative ‘Better Government for Older People’ of music. So that was the The Wednesday Club now and that was really where my specific interest in start of the Wednesday that has been going for 24 older people started. Older people were becoming Club. It was very basic to years. Our numbers have more aware of the ability they had to make things begin with but as time grown and grown and we better for all older people, but what they needed went on it grew, and it now have older people from was the support of the public service agencies to grew and it better grew! a couple of care homes help do that work. ‘Better Government for Older And from working in the join us most Wednesdays. People’ was sponsored by South Lanarkshire small hall we had to ask We have a summer outing Council and made up of all of the various agencies if we could move to the and we have a fundraiser, in the community that would be looking after the big hall… My advice if normally about St Andrew’s interests of older people and everyone else as well, you are starting a group night, and the tickets are public organisations like Fire and Rescue, Police, is to ask the old people always a sell out for that. If Department of Work and Pensions. themselves. They will tell anyone’s ill we’ve got two The successor organisation, of which I am now the you what they want; they committee members who Chair is Seniors Together in South Lanarkshire, and will till you what’s missing visit or take flowers whether many of those agencies still meet together in our within the community it’s to older people in their Executive committee where we promote the interests and you do it their way.” own home or to one of the and needs of older people… Older people are really care homes. Sometimes it’s Grace Hodge the most fascinating group of people to be with just people need someone because they all represent a great story.” to talk to.” Helen Biggins, Betty Glen Chair, Seniors Together South Lanarkshire CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

1999 1999 The Royal Commission into The Scottish Parliament 35 MSPs attend informal Long Term Care report is is convened and takes briefing and discussion published. It recommends responsibility for many sessions with Age Concern that there should be a areas of life affecting Scotland to find out clear definition of personal older people in Scotland more about the issues of care, all care of this type including housing, greatest concern to older should be provided by the social care, health care, people. Amongst those state and funded through education and some attending are the Presiding general taxation, and the transport matters, but Officer, David Steel, and government should establish not pensions and welfare the Deputy Presiding a national care commission which are reserved to Officer, George Reid. to set and monitor national Westminster. care standards.

“We’ve had a great variety of enjoyed everything I’ve ever entertainment over the years done with Polmont Age Concern – choirs, speakers, country and the camaraderie of the dancers, tap dancers and committee is really good. It’s a Tea on the Water visits from the Fire Brigade and great committee and the girls Scotland celebrated International schools. We try to get something are all really good workers. They Year of Older Persons in 1999 different every week. At are really good and devoted to by arranging tea in, on or near Christmas we have a party. This Age Concern and older people in water. From boating in Turriff to year we had 60 schoolchildren the village.” canoeing in entertaining us. Members love Sandra Loch Ness and the children coming in. I’ve Gow reminiscence tea parties in sheltered housing, A Rally at the new many groups Scottish Parliament in Grampian took part “In 1999 the Scottish Parliament had in this fun just been established. I remember being project. part of organising and going up to this rally, arranged in Edinburgh at the Quaker Meeting House, near the old Scottish Parliament building. We had banners made, they were wooden and they were quite heavy. We had been given them by the local trade union office and we had to produce slogans from the older people, so there were slogans made like ‘We are not a Ticking Time Bomb’, ‘Restore the Link’ and they were all colourful and pasted onto these heavy boards. I got a shock when I arrived up there, we had booked the Quaker Meeting House to have the meeting in but there were too many people. Older people from across Scotland had arrived and it was deemed unsafe because everyone couldn’t fit in the building. So this rally was held in the open air round these metal railings near the Quaker Meeting House. There was no tannoy or anything and pensioners from all across Scotland would take a turn saying their piece. There was then a marching rally up to the then parliament building with various banners to lobby the new MSPs.” Morag Halliday, Dumfries & Galloway Elderly Forum, 1999-2007 PAGE FORTY TWO

2000 2001 2001 2002 The first meeting of the Scottish Scottish Borders Better Dundee Age Concern Community Parliament’s Cross Party Government for Older People is the first winner Care and Group on Older People, Age (BGOP) Elder Voice and the of the Age Concern Health and Ageing takes place. MSPs Elder Council are launched. Scotland Group of (Scotland) Malcolm Chisholm and Sandra The Elder Council is the the Year Award, Act 2002 White are elected co-conveners, representative voice of older following the opening introduces Age Concern Scotland provides people on BGOP. The Elder of their new purpose free nursing the secretariat. The first topic Council’s immediate priorities built day centre. The and personal for discussion is the Royal are health, housing and care; awards celebrate and care for older Commission on Long Term Care. lifelong learning; employment; recognise the work of people in and, promoting a positive view local older people’s Scotland. of later life in the media. organisations and the difference they make to the lives of MM2000s THE - MMIXNEW MILLENNIUM older people.

The new millennium got off to a flying start. Age Concern Scotland and member groups and organisations collected more than 10,000 signatures for a petition to urge the Scottish Parliament to implement the proposals of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care in full.

The petition was presented in January 2000. Later in and effects of abuse. In the first year of the project the year the “We Care” campaign was launched to 200 people from older people’s groups and from galvanise support for action on long term care and the organisations working with older people participated in charity gave evidence to the Parliament’s Health and training events in Dumfries, Paisley, Elgin and Stirling. Community Care Committee as part of an ongoing Dundee Age Concern and Cumbernauld Action Care inquiry into community care. The following year the for the Elderly also hosted training for their members. Scottish Executive set up a Care Development Group Intergenerational work expanded. In 2000 the Age to bring forward proposals leading to the introduction Concern Millennium Awards distributed £186,297 of Free Personal Care in Scotland from July 2002 – a to 25 projects in Scotland to support older people landmark development for older people in Scotland, and older people’s organisations develop a variety and for the new Scottish Parliament. of intergenerational activities and herald in the new In 2001 in response to growing evidence of elder millennium. Information technology was becoming abuse, Age Concern Scotland began a 3-year more accessible and many organisations started to awareness raising initiative. “Breaking the Silence on offer taster workshops and activities for older people. Elder Abuse” examined the types and signs of abuse The Age Concern Edinburgh Information Technology experienced by older people living at home with their (ACE IT) training centre in Edinburgh led the way in family, in residential or nursing homes or in hospital, delivering tailored computer training for older people and opened up discussion on the need to take action and in 2005 developed the innovative “Moose in the to reduce levels of abuse in Scotland. Information Hoose” intergenerational project in partnership the resources were developed, and a rolling programme City of Edinburgh Council’s Department of Health of training events and conferences was organised and Social Care and CSVs Retirement and Senior across Scotland. Volunteer Project to bring information technology Some of the training was delivered by the Foxtrot into care homes and day centres. Volunteers aged Theatre Company which presented three abuse 50 plus visited the care homes weekly to help older scenarios using interactive theatre with audience residents learn how to use email and the internet. participation. This proved to be an extremely powerful Within two years the project had 19 volunteers way of developing a better understanding of the signs working with residents in seven care homes and two day care centres. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

2002 2003 2004 Kilmaurs Primary School Skye Old People’s Welfare “Advantage” children, staff of the Windmill Committee is awarded - Age Concern Tavern pub in Uddingston and the Age Concern Scotland Scotland’s new members of Langholm Day Group of the Year. The look members’ Centre are amongst those taking Committee marks 50 magazine is part in Age Concern Scotland’s years of providing a published. fun fundraiser, “Wear A Hat vital transport service Day”, organised as part of the for older people in an charity’s “Fight the Freeze” area where there is little winter campaign. public transport and takes delivery of a new wheelchair accessible minibus.

We Care A visit to the Fiveways Age Concern Scotland Centre, Dundee contributed“ to the Sutherland “The centre includes Commission on Long Term landscaped gardens, a Care. We contributed to hairdressing salon, a chiropody the evidence gathering centre, meeting rooms, kitchen, of the Commission which reception and notice boards consulted very widely, and McLeish was coming which display news, views and many older people and to the event and had relevant local information and their organisations were just been appointed a large number of photographs involved in this process. First Minister and he taken at recent events. Age Concern Scotland was announced at our The large bright and airy day very clear that personal conference that he centre activity room on the care had to be centrally supported Free Personal ground floor has tables and funded. We ran a major Care. That was it. It chairs spread around the edges campaign for Free Personal Care was a wonderful storm allowing plenty of floor space with Professor Sutherland and we of media time, I remember for dancing and other activities. had a press launch outside the being on late night UK television There is also a lovely view out Assembly Rooms. It highlighted talking about it. It was one of into the new garden paved that a fraction of a penny the first independent things the area with plenty of natural light extra in income tax per person Scottish Parliament decided to streaming would contribute enormously do and with all party support Free in through the large to ensuring that personal care Personal Care was implemented windows wherever it was needed could be in Scotland. and easy supported. Linda Dunion who was Maureen O’Neill” access to Head of Policy and Public Affairs the garden organised a brilliant campaign. itself.” We battled and never thought we Advantage, would be successful. We had a 2004 big conference in Kirkcaldy. Henry PAGE FORTY FOUR

2004 2006 2006 2007 Age Concern The Scotland wide The Scottish Parliament passes Scotland Assemblies Free Bus Travel Employability the Adult Support & Protection discuss the big issues Scheme for Older Equality (Age) (Scotland) Bill. of the moment to and Disabled People Regulations “To do nothing was not an help inform the provides free travel come into option, to do something took charity’s policy on local registered force making courage, but the message is positions including bus services for it unlawful to clear – the harming, abuse the proposal for people aged 60 plus. take a decision and mistreatment of older an Older People’s on employment people who may be Commissioner, the and training vulnerable will no longer proposed ban on based on a be tolerated in Scotland.” smoking in public person’s age places, and rather than their Ann Ferguson, doorstep selling. competence. Age Concern Scotland

MM2000s THE - MMIXNEW MILLENNIUM

Local Elderly Forums continued to grow in strength and number with support from Help the Aged’s Speaking Up for Our Age Project. Three national residential conferences were organised bringing members of forums together to share information and practice Eva McKellar, Vale of Leven Citizen of the Year 2007 and two editions of a Shortly after retiring in autumn 1999, Eva McKellar was shopping in forums’ directory were Alexandria with a friend and took shelter from the rain in the local published comprising community centre. It just so happened that the Vale of Leven Age listings of older people’s

forums in Scotland. Help Halliday kind permission of Morag by reproduced Photograph Concern meeting was taking place there. the Aged also produced the Scottish Forum That Christmas the ladies running the programme. Grants were raised from Toolkit and provided group decided to step down and the West Dunbartonshire Council, Awards start up grants to assist charity was in danger of closing. Eva for All and Age Concern Scotland to new local forums get off and her friend stepped in to ensure the purchase, furnish and make accessible the ground and become group continued to support the older a caravan at Seton Sands Holiday Park established, and the residents of the area. so that members could enjoy a week’s “NHS 24 Important summer holiday at a reasonable cost. Through Eva’s leadership and Information for Older In 2007 Eva McKellar was named dedication Vale of Leven Age Concern People” booklet to Vale of Leven Citizen of the Year in membership tripled and a programme explain the NHS 24 recognition of her voluntary work. of activities was developed to suit service. In 2009 the first In 2018 Eva is still at the helm of Vale members including bus outings, local Scottish Older People’s of Leven Age Concern. campaigning work, fundraising for local Assembly was held in good causes and an entertainment Advantage Magazine, 2003 the Scottish Parliament. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

2008 2008 2009 2009 “All Our Futures: Planning Age Concern The first Scottish Age Concern for a Scotland with an Scotland launches Older People’s and Help Ageing Population” report is two new awards Assembly is held the Aged endorsed by the new Scottish in memory of in the Scottish join together Government. A Scottish Centre Jess Barrow and Parliament to to create a for Intergenerational Practice Patrick Brooks, provide a “voice” new charity (ScotCIP) is set up to promote exceptional for older people and dedicated to best practice and offer support people who made an opportunity for improving later to organisations who want to an important older people from life for everyone. get involved in intergenerational contribution to across Scotland to Soon afterwards work, leading to the creation of older people’s debate key issues Age Concern Generations Working Together. work in Scotland. of interest and Scotland is concern. renamed Age Scotland.

Dumfries & Galloway and third sector, but also at a Scottish level and a national level. Elderly Forum We were members of the National Speaking up “I started work with Dumfries Pensioners Convention and they for Our Age & Galloway Elderly Forum in had a big conference, 2-3 days in “My job was to help, support, September 1999. It was a small Blackpool each year and they also develop and initiate older people’s committee of 25 people from had a committee that met we had forums across Scotland. The across the region that met on a a representative on that. And as issues arising from the forums monthly basis. The Forum had a we grew additional committees helped inform Help the Aged membership of approximately 900 were set up from within the influencing campaigns. The people but wanted to grow the branches where people with a post meant working with older organisation. So we were travelling common interest or expertise people’s forums across Scotland, around providing talks to older would work together. from local forums to the many people, promoting the idea that We had very strong links with Help national ones. Help the Aged at they could be involved through the the Aged. They had the “Speaking that time felt very innovative and Elderly Forum, and it took off Up for Our Age” programme and exciting. The charity had seen really quickly. Branches were we benefited from their the needs of the growing forum set up, the first funding programme. movement and had developed I believe was By the time I left in a grant stream to help. When the Machars in 2007, the Dumfries I started there were about 120 Wigtownshire. & Galloway forums across Scotland, so there At the time Elderly was plenty of direct contact with when I joined Forum all individuals from the forums. By I didn’t realise had 140 2009, at merger time, there were how many active older over 160 forums across Scotland, older people people within so you could see the really good were annoyed their committees development and growth. I think or angry or representing a one of the achievements was wanting things membership of about 3600, to actually enable all the local to change. The pace of growth they were having their voices umbrella groups and national in membership of Dumfries & heard through different groups of older people to speak Galloway Elderly Forum was quite meetings Scotland-wide, to one another. The residential overwhelming in those days. We UK-wide and locally.” conferences were able to bring had older people representing the all the groups together.” Forum at various different forums, Morag Halliday committees and discussion groups Development Officer, Tara Anderson, and that was both at the local Dumfries & Galloway Elderly Speaking Up for Our Age level with the local authority, NHS Forum 1999-2007 Programme Manager (Scotland) PAGE FORTY SIX

2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 The Age Scotland “Reshaping Age Scotland The 8th World Congress The first Luminate Helpline is Care for Older Enterprises on Active Ageing is held in Festival takes launched by People: A opens a high Glasgow. 1000 scientists, place – a month Nicola Sturgeon Programme street store practitioners, older people long, Scotland wide MSP, Cabinet for Change in Glasgow and representatives from festival showcasing Minister for 2011-2021” providing older people’s organisations work by older Health and Well- is published face to face take part. professional artists, being. In its first setting out information exploring what year of operation the Scottish to customers ageing means to the Helpline takes Government’s on insurance us all and offering 12,000 calls from plans for products and opportunities for older people, improving services for the older people to their families and services for over 50s. try their hands at carers. older people. something new.

2010s LOVE LATER LIFE

Age Scotland membership quadrupled in this period. By 2018 there were more than 1000 community groups and organisations in membership of the charity, providing a huge range of activities, services, friendship and support for their members and the wider Football Groups and more than to share news and developments community. Age Scotland and 100 Men’s Sheds up and running or in older people’s work, discuss many long-standing member getting started. Research studies matters of common concern, and organisations celebrated highlighted the positive impact to engage in policy discussions significant birthdays. New they were making on men’s health on topics affecting older people organisations were formed and well-being and on combatting including Reshaping Care, and including a phenomenal loneliness. consultations on transport and growth in organisations run by This was also significant time for social security. Initially regional men, and providing activities older people and the arts. The assemblies were organised, predominantly for men. first Luminate Arts Festival was but latterly the pattern evolved held in 2012. Luminate began life into a programme of more local In 2012 the first recorded game of network meetings plus a national Walking Football in Scotland was as a project of Age Scotland with financial support from two founding conference and awards ceremony. played at Loanhead promoted Age Scotland Projects - Looking by Midlothian Ageing Well. The partners, Creative Scotland and The Baring Foundation, and became After You/Body Boosting Bingo, following year the first Men’s Power of Attorney, Money Matters, Sheds in Scotland were founded. an independent charity in 2014. In its first five years of operation the Early Stage Dementia, Warm and Walking Football and Men’s Well and the Veterans’ Project – all Sheds both spread quickly across annual festival reached 300,000 people across Scotland. toured the network meetings, and Scotland helped considerably by visited individual member groups to the pioneering groups who hosted As in previous decades Age cascade information and resources. visits and shared their tips and Scotland arranged a programme Many partner organisations also experiences of setting up and of meetings to bring older people’s contributed to the meetings running organisations. By 2018 organisations together. The giving presentations or providing there were more than 100 Walking meetings provided an opportunity information stalls. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 Age Scotland’s The first Men’s The Public Bodies The Scottish Pre- The Smith “Still Waiting” Sheds in Scotland (Joint Working) Retirement Council Commission is Campaign calls are founded in (Scotland) Act and the Tayside Pre- set up following for the National Barrhead, Carse of 2014 requires Retirement Council the Referendum Concessionary Gowrie, MacMerry local authorities become part of Age on Scottish Travel Scheme and Westhill opening and NHS Boards Scotland forming Independence to be extended up spaces where to jointly plan a new training arm and to community older men can meet, integrated in the charity to recommends transport so that practise woodwork health and social develop training new welfare and more older people and metal work and care services programmes and taxation powers in rural areas can build friendships. for adults. services for older for the Scottish use the scheme. workers and their Parliament. employers.

Sit less, move more, and do that in a way that’s fun In February 2014 Age Scotland welcomed Jenny Ackland and Looking After You workshops Yolanda Strachan, two for members, our Age Allied Health Professional Awareness training and National Consultants to our in-house programme the charity. This was part to promote activity in the workplace. We are proud Old Skool intergenerational graffiti project, Luminate of a new initiative by the and West Lothian Arts Development, 2013 © Eoin Carey Scottish Government, in to say that Age Scotland particular the Chief Health now has an annual step Professions Office, to create count challenge, launched partnerships between the on Older People’s Day NHS and the third sector. each year, but perhaps the project which most brings “With our background forth a smile of wonderment in health we have been is our Body Boosting Bingo delighted to grow Age with the message that we Scotland’s vision of a need to sit less, move a little Scotland which supports more and let’s do that in a older people to be as way that is fun.” active and healthy as they In 2011 Age Scotland published the “Age Yolanda Strachan Maze” information guide to later life in possibly can be through our Scotland. This was to become one of the charity’s most popular publications. In response to demand for Scotland specific information guides Age Scotland grew its publications and by June 2018 the charity had produced 60 guides on a variety of topics of interest and importance to older people, their families and carers. Age Scotland member groups helped to get the information to as many older people as possible by displaying copies of the guides in their centres and meeting places, and distributing them at Looking After You Workshop, at the Voices and Choices conference, meetings and events. organised by Haydays, the Rotary and Age Scotland, St Andrews, June 2016 PAGE FORTY EIGHT

2015 2015 2016 2016 Scottish 14 Walking Football Age Concern Age Scotland member groups Parliament’s teams gather at Orkney becomes across the country take part in Equal Spartans Football Club in Age Scotland dementia awareness training. Opportunities Edinburgh to compete in Orkney and is Age The training explores the signs Committee Scotland’s first Walking Scotland’s first and symptoms of dementia, how investigates Football Festival. local brand partner to live well with dementia, and Age and Hibernian FFIT lift the strengthening what member groups can do to Isolation – the Yvonne Coull Memorial relationships and become dementia friendly. Age first formal Shield after a thrilling joint working Scotland’s Early Stage Dementia parliamentary final against Glasgow possibilities Project, funded by the Life examination Life FC. between older Changes Trust, also extends into of loneliness people on the supporting dementia awareness anywhere in Orkney Islands and in the workplace. the world. the national charity.

In 2014 Age Scotland created the new 2010s voluntary role of Regional Ambassador LOVE LATER LIFE to help strengthen relationships between the national charity and members. Malcolm Wetherill took up the challenge becoming the charity’s first Regional Ambassador with a remit for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. Regional Ambassadors also helped to plan network meetings and the national conference, and advised on Age Scotland’s grant programmes for member groups.

Malcolm Wetherill meets HRH Prince Charles at a reception for charities in Buckingham Palace, in July 2018.

In 2016/17 with funding from the Scottish Government and Robertson Trust and the help of Regional Ambassadors, Age Scotland distributed over £100,000 in small grants to older people’s groups to assist with their activities to combat loneliness and isolation, including grants to Men’s Sheds, Walking Football Groups, Lunch Clubs and for arts and learning activities. Some Photograph courtesy of Keith Stoker, Ellon and District of Keith Stoker, courtesy Men’s Shed Photograph member groups Ellon and District Men’s Shed’s organised woodturners have been involved in many Christmas lunches projects. In 2018 Jock Taylor and team linked to the Age crafted this prayer mat stand for a local UK campaign ‘No-one should restaurant owner. Walking Football Festival, 2016 have no-one at Christmas’. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018

2017 2018 LIFE EXPECTANCY Peebles Old Folks Welfare Scotland’s Makar, Jackie Kay cuts IN 2018 Committee and Age Age Scotland’s 75th birthday cake Peterhead celebrate at the charity’s national conference significant birthdays. in Glasgow. 340 representatives Peebles Old Folks Welfare of older people’s groups and Committee is 75 years organisations take part in the event. old and Age Peterhead The conference concludes with is 50 years old. Both MEN: WOMEN: the presentation of the 2018 Age organisations are entirely Scotland Awards by broadcaster voluntary run and provide 77 81 and journalist Jackie Bird. YEARS YEARS dedicated support, services and activities for older members of their communities.

Let’s all help eradicate loneliness in our society

“Looking back over the Scotland and other agencies, we banter and help one another past five years I often have set up an organisation and carry out the various tasks in wonder where they have charity to be proud of. We have our workshop. Our members faced many challenges over the are proud and delighted to help gone, but when I look past five years mainly financial, the local community, schools at our workshop and but we have a dedicated group and nurseries and retirement membership it’s with a of trustees who are constantly homes, but most importantly feeling of great pride in seeking new ways to raise funds take time to share, help and what our co-founders and to pay our rent which is quite a listen to our members who are substantial amount. Our latest living in social isolation. As one trustees have achieved in challenge is to find a vacant of our widowed members said, such a short time. piece of land and build our own ‘loneliness is a disease’. Let’s all It is worth mentioning that premises. We have started the help to eradicate this disease in none of the founding members ball rolling. our society.” had any experience in forming All of our members are delighted Alex Storrie, Chairman anything like the Barrhead Men’s to be part of our big family unit of Barrhead Men’s Shed Shed, but with the help of Age where we can enjoy the daily PAGE FIFTY

Acknowledgements A great many people and organisations have contributed to the making of this publication. People have helped in so many ways: searching archives for documents and photographs to shed light on our history; providing treasured photographs and documents; sharing and recording important memories and experiences; writing content; and carrying out oral history interviews to really bring our story to life. Age Scotland is enormously grateful to everyone who has helped over the past nine months, especially:

Chris Allen Margaret Greenhill Heather Smith Grampian Carole Anderson Morag Halliday Keith Stoker 50 Plus Network Linda Anderson Eileen Herd Alex Storrie National Library Tara Anderson Grace Hodge Yolanda Strachan of Scotland Heather Baillie Andrew James Jean Taylor Barbara Bennett Roseanne Jamieson Julia Templeton Orbiston Helen Biggins Helen Jeffery Betty Weir Neighbourhood Emma Bisset John McCaughie Centre Pat Bree Liz McGibbon Age Concern Polmont Age Concern Tam Bruce Eva McKellar Ayr Elizabeth Bryan Mary Marshall St Winin’s Age Scotland Over 60s Club Beverley Casebow Liz Meenagh Orkney Jo Cowan Steven Morton Scottish Council Eileen Cawley Charlie Murphy Broomlands and for Voluntary Arthur Davis Maureen O’Neill Bourtreehill Age Organisations Marjorie D’Arcy Bessie Otterson Concern SCRAN Diana Findlay Jeanette Pieper Care and Repair George Foulkes Jean Reader Edinburgh Skye Old People’s Anne Gallacher Lewis Ritchie Welfare Committee Dundee Age Concern Jennifer Giles Ruth Scoular Thelma – The Living Betty Glen Eileen Shand Falkirk Age Concern Memory Association Jean Glen Helen Simpson Glasgow’s Golden Sandra Gow Gillian Skuse Vale of Leven Generation Tim Green Brian Sloan Age Concern CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF OLDER PEOPLE’S GROUPS IN SCOTLAND, 1943-2018 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,

ISSN 1747-4515 Edinburgh EH9 1PR.