Advantage

Age Scotland’s quarterly magazine spring 2012 issue 31

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

Contents

Contents

If you have news, events or issues that you would like Advantage to cover, please get in touch. We would also welcome ideas on how we might improve the magazine.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0845 833 9313

Write to: Advantage, Age Scotland

Causewayside House

160 Causewayside

Edinburgh EH9 1PR

ISSN 1747-4515

Age Scotland, part of the Age UK family, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people in Scotland, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland. Reg No: 153343 Charity No: SC010100. Registered Office: Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1PR.

Advantage is part funded by a grant from the Scottish Government. Age Scotland aims to ensure information is accurate at time of production and cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions.

1 Foreword Policy. It’s is a word that conjours images of academics and civil servants, detached from the real world, obsessing over desert dry reports the size of telephone directories that no one else would want to read.

Yet policy matters to older people. The Scottish and UK Governments, local councils and the NHS develop policies that set out what services they will invest in and how these will be delivered. Understanding policies and proposed policy changes empowers you to challenge them. And while at times policy reports do conform to the dull as dishwater stereotype, this isn’t inevitable and, when presented well, policy can be a lively topic for discussion.

Age Scotland also has policies. These set out the Charity’s view on issues from Free Concessionary Travel to Elder Abuse. We develop them by examining evidence from a range of sources including, crucially, the views of our members, who help us to be clear and consistent in what we are asking for and are a vital tool in influencing decision-makers so that their choices better reflect the views and needs of older people.

Recently, we made a policy submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee about the regulation of Care Homes. The Committee drew on this heavily for its final report and the Scottish Government, in turn, accepted many of its key recommendations. So we now have the partial reverse of cuts to the Care Inspectorate’s budget and the introduction of one unannounced inspection to care homes each year. This is good news for residents and their families and, following a run of bad news stories about care homes, should increase confidence that bad practice will not be tolerated.

With this magazine you will find a summary of our ‘Looking Ahead’ publication, which sets out Age Scotland’s agenda for influencing public policy over the next five years. From the care system to employment, health to housing, we are making a strong case for actions by decision-makers to improve later life in Scotland. So please, don’t put it in the bin, or on a shelf for a later look that never happens.

Read it, think about it and, if you can, discuss it with others. Tell us what you think - our knowledge of older people’s views, aspirations and needs is only as good as our last conversation with you!

Last April we took the plunge and invested in a new look Advantage magazine, with a clearer mission - to inform, inspire and empower older people, their friends, families and carers. One year on, we are keen to find out what you think about it. Please complete and return the enclosed questionnaire so that we can better understand and hopefully continue to meet your preferences.

2 David Manion, Chief Executive

News Joyce hits the jackpot

Lucky Joyce Beillini of Marykirk, by Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire, is celebrating after winning £25,000 in the Age UK lottery’s quarterly superdraw with a ticket bought through Age Scotland Enterprises.

Miss Beillini began playing the lottery in 2006, entering the draw, which guarantees 1,000 winners across the UK each week with prizes of £2,000, £250, £150, £100, £50 and 995 winners of £10.

Each quarter there is a Superdraw Prize fund of £100,000 with a first prize of £25,000 plus prizes of £20,000, £15,000, £10,000, £7,500, £5,000, £2,500, £2,000, £1,500, £1,000, £50 and 995 winners of £10.

Joyce was over the moon when Age Scotland called with news of her win, and was all smiles when the winning cheque was handed over to her in a short presentation at her home in Marykirk by Carole Anderson, Age Scotland Development Officer East.

Carole said: “We are extremely happy for Joyce and genuinely delighted that someone from our local area has won the jackpot. People like Joyce, who register to play the lottery through Age Scotland, directly fund the charitable work that we do.”

Logan Steele, General Manager of Age Scotland Enterprises, who was also at the handover, said: “All profits from the Age UK Weekly Lottery help fund the work of the Age UK family of charities, which includes Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI.

“In Scotland the lottery raises funds that enable development officers such as Carole to identify groups and projects working for and with older people and in need of assistance and aid them with a financial grant where appropriate.”

Players choose one or more entries per week at £1 each and are then allocated a unique player number. A random number generator selects the winners. To join the Age UK Lottery, contact Age Scotland Enterprises offices in either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

World Congress Senior Pass

Details of the Age Scotland sponsored Senior Pass for the World Congress on Active Ageing, 13-17th August in Glasgow, have been confirmed. Available to people age 50 and over at the heavily discounted price of £15, the pass allows one day’s admission to the World Congress.

3 Included in the price are lunch, the services of a ‘buddy’ to guide you around (should that be required), a small goodie bag, access to two of the day’s keynote addresses, an opportunity to meet the experts, and access to the Exhibition Space, the Information Village and the Experience Zone (with the opportunity to participate in activities and try out active ageing products.)

To buy a Seniors’ Pass call 0141 331 0123 or email: [email protected].

Enterprises boldly go west

In January Age Scotland Enterprises acquired Glasgow Old People’s Welfare Insurance Services from the Glasgow Old People’s Welfare Association. Logan Steele, Age Scotland Enterprises’ General Manager said: “This acquisition is a huge step forward for Enterprises in Scotland. In time it will take the business to a new level, enabling us to market across Scotland and achieve the scale and reach the business has desired for some time.”

Insurance Manager Colin Darcy and Insurance Arranger Liam McFadden became the newest members of the Age Scotland Enterprises team. Colin said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to manage the Glasgow office and joining an already successful team allows us to access a wealth of experience. We are always available to attend any events and visit local groups to talk about what we can offer.”

Heal the break

On 22nd March Age Scotland gave over 1100 postcards calling for better, more joined-up, health and social care services for older people to Public Health Minister Michael Matheson MSP at the Scottish Parliament.

Campaigners had travelled from across Scotland to meet the Minister. Dennis Moore from the Sign Poster Project in Aberdeen said: “We are making the journey because we want to make sure our deep rooted concerns are heard.”

Charity Chief Executive David Manion said: “NHS Health services and Council Social Care services don’t always fit together well, so too often older people find themselves in limbo in hospital when a social care package tailored to their needs could have allowed them to stay at home.

“Late last year the Scottish Government responded to these concerns and set a course to new legislation to join up health and social care services. While this commitment is welcome, it’s vital that we keep up the pressure to make sure that the reforms are not diluted or derailed, and that older people are fully consulted.”

Michael Matheson said: “The Scottish Government is committed to progressing the integration of adult health and social care. We are determined to ensure that older people are at the centre of delivery the length and breadth of Scotland.”

4 An Age Scotland commissioned poll in February found that social care is a high priority issue for 60 percent of older people locally, 15 percent more than for any other issue. Meanwhile public spending watchdog Audit Scotland has warned that Councils and the NHS are failing to ensure vital care services can be delivered in the future and that Local Authorities and the Health Boards have been “slow” to develop strategic commissioning of health and social care services.

Human rights programme a success

Care about Rights, a project to ensure human rights are understood and applied in the care of older people, has passed an independent evaluation with flying colours. The project was developed by the Scottish Human Rights Commission in partnership with organisations including Age Scotland. A programme of training reached around 1,000 care staff and managers across Scotland, with 80 older people and older people’s representatives included through direct outreach work.

The evaluation found that 99 percent of participants understood human rights issues and how they applied to their work after training, compared to just over half beforehand. Three quarters said it was helping them to implement human rights in their daily work.

Age Scotland Communication and Campaigns Manager Lindsay Scott said: “The Charity was instrumental in human rights in care settings being identified by the SHRC as its first priority area of work, so we are glad that a programme that we helped roll out has been so highly lauded.”

Calendar

May 2012

9 May Age Scotland Volunteering Open Day. Pop in to find out about volunteering opportunities in our shops and with the Age Scotland Helpline. Call Heather Smith on 0845 833 9322 or email [email protected].

16 May Ending Isolation through Design conference. Architecture & Design Scotland, Bakehouse Close, Edinburgh (near the Parliament). Focus on ending isolation through older people’s active participation in planning & design of neighbourhoods. Jointly hosted by Age Scotland, I’DGO and Planning Aid. Free. Register by email: [email protected].

5 26-27 May Edinburgh Marathon and Festival of Running With 10k, 5k, team relay and junior races in addition to the full and half marathons, this fun event is not just for the hard core runner. To find out about running to raise funds for Age Scotland call Gizem Fowler on 08458 339 334 or email [email protected].

June 2012

3 Jun The Big Lunch. The Eden Project is calling on people across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. To order a free pack visit www.thebiglunch.com or call 0845 850 8181.

18-24 Jun Carers Week - www.carersweek.org. Carers UK are inviting carers to take part in their survey to launch the week with hard hitting statistics about life for carers. www.surveymonkey.com/s/carersweek2012 to take part.

July 2012

3 Jul Go for Gold Challenge. Residential and care sector organisations across the UK are invited to participate in a one day event involving games, walking and dance challenges in the lead up to the World Congress on Active Ageing in August. Tel: 0141 331 0123. Email: [email protected].

August 2012

13 Aug Walk with Me Challenge. A Scotland-wide walking challenge to mark the start of the World Congress on Active Ageing.

13-17 Aug World Congress on Active Ageing. SECC, Glasgow. Cutting edge active ageing science & practice and a taste of fun fitness activities designed with older people in mind. Senior Passes £15: 0141 331 0123 or by email: [email protected]. Visit our World Congress pages at www.agescotland.org.uk.

September 2012

11th: South, Scottish Borders (venue tbc)

13th: South, Dumfries and Galloway (venue tbc)

19th: South, Ayrshire, The Park Hotel, Kilmarnock

20th: West, Glasgow, Premier Inn, Ballater Street

6 Message in a bottle You suddenly take ill. Someone comes to your aid, but you are so unwell that you are unable to tell them something crucial that they must know before they give you treatment. Luckily, they look in your fridge door, where they find a small plastic bottle containing this vital information. It’s your Message in a Bottle.

The Message in a Bottle was developed by The Lions Club and has now been in use across the UK for a number of years. The idea is very simple – you place a form containing personal information such as medication, illnesses and next of kin contact details in a small plastic bottle that you keep in the door of your fridge, so that if you take ill at home anyone attending to you will have access to important information that could make a big difference. If you care for someone else at home, their details can be included so that you know that their needs will be taken care of if you are temporarily incapacitated.

If you have a pet you can also include information about their needs and how these can be met. You need to indicate to people that you use the scheme and so you should tell visitors to your home about it including social workers, carers and, community nurses.

To assist with this two small stickers are provided with the bottle. One should be placed on the inside of your front door, near the lock, the other on the outside of your fridge door. These stickers will help guide people to the bottle. Although there are various local suppliers of bottles, the Age Scotland Helpline provides national coverage across the whole of Scotland and is well placed to help distribute these bottles to any individual who wishes one. To obtain your free bottle simply call the Age Scotland Helpline on 0845 125 9732, provide your name and address and state that you would like a Message in a Bottle. We will post one out to you free of charge.

Please note that the Age Scotland Helpline does not provide any emergency services and if you have an emergency then you should call the appropriate services as necessary.

7 Let’s Talk Money ‘Can you afford not to talk to us?’ asks Age Scotland Information Development Manager Heather Smith.

Many people aren’t comfortable talking about money, there are so many taboos around money, and so much to get right (or wrong) that people can be reluctant to ask questions about their rights and options as they think they might be judged about their savings, debts, bills or budgeting.

There are a lot of people you can talk to about money who may be able to help you to increase your income or to get a better deal.

More Money in your Pocket

If you have a low income, there are benefits available which could help you to have more money to live on. There are different types of benefit:

 National Insurance benefits such as State Retirement Pension

 means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

 benefits you are entitled to because of your situation, including Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

Call 0845 125 9732 and talk to our Helpline. They can send you our benefits guide ‘More Money in your pocket’ (for people over pension age), information about the different benefits and, if you agree, they can refer you to the Pension Service for a benefit check.

Spring clean your finances

If you have retired, or want to get your finances tidy as you approach retirement, it is a good idea to check your budgeting so you know what you spend your money on and make sure you have a good grip on your finances. If you have a partner, it is best to look at this together.

You need to look at:

 all your income (including pensions, annuities and benefits)

 your spending (list everything you spend money on, check your bank statement to make sure you know what all the payments are for)

8  your debts (overdrafts, credit cards, loans).

You can ask our Helpline for a copy of our information guide ‘Managing Your Money’ which includes budgeting sheets you can complete. If you have access to the internet, you could use an online budget planner on the websites of the Money Advice Service or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service. There’s also a helpful budgeting sheet available to download from the Citizens Advice Bureau information website. Rather than printing the very long internet addresses for these, we’ve put handy links to them on our website www.agescotland.org.uk/letstalkmoney.

Nobody budgets in quite the same way as anyone else, which is fine as long as your budgeting works for you. You may like paying bills by regular direct debits so you don’t get big bills, or prefer to pay the bills when you get them so you can keep a close eye on your spending. You may like using cash so you know how much is left in your purse or wallet, or you might prefer to use a credit or debit card so you don’t have to carry much cash. You might like to save up before you buy something, or to carefully use credit to manage your payments. None of these choices is right or wrong if they help you to budget.

If you don’t feel confident to work out your budget yourself, or your budget shows that your income and spending are out of balance, talk to our Helpline and we will find details of a local advice agency which can help you to look at your options. However worried you are, there will be someone who can help.

You could make an appointment to see a Money Advice Service Money Adviser face to face. The Money Advice Service offers clear, unbiased advice and information to help you work out what's right for you. It is a free and independent service that provides information on pensions, investments, saving, borrowing, budgeting, tax, benefits and more.

Call 0808 800 0118 or visit www.cas.org.uk/moneyadviceservice to make an appointment.

Check your Tax

If you are worried about tax or don’t understand your tax allowances, you can check the Tax Help for Older People website at www.taxvol.org.uk or call them on 0845 601 3321 (lo-call rate) or 01308 488066.

Making your money go further

Once you have looked at your budget and know what you spend just now, you can shop around to see if you can make your money go further. You could:

 check on any savings that you have to find out if you are getting the best possible rate of interest. You can find information about a range of good deals at www.moneysavingexpert.com or at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

9  find out about having a warmer home, lower fuel bills and the Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package by calling 0800 512 012 or talk to our Helpline and ask for a referral

 shop around – almost anything you need to buy is likely to be on offer somewhere if you have the time and energy to look. If you have access to the internet and are confident to use it (or have a friend or family member who can help) it is easy to compare prices and make sure you get the best bargain you can. Call our Helpline and ask for a copy of our Consumer Rights guide.

10 The power of pets

By Ally Maxwell

Grace is in her eighties. She lives alone in a small apartment in Edinburgh, but she is far from lonely. Her cat, Poppy, keeps her company throughout the day. She meows when Grace goes out and sometimes gets moody if her owner takes too long, but she never stays angry for long - she wants to be cuddled after all!

Grace is one of many older people in Scotland benefitting from the companionship of a loyal pet. Studies have shown a sharp decrease in feelings of loneliness and isolation in homes of older people who own pets, and having a dog or cat in the house to love and care for can also help to relieve anxiety and ease the loss of a loved one.

Not only that, but the simple act of walking a pooch or letting the cat out can do wonders for the physical condition of the owner, allowing daily exercise that they might not have had otherwise. It also provides the welcome opportunity to have a natter with neighbours and passers-by.

Many owners talk to their pets and even confide in them. This is especially true among isolated older people, who may not have anyone else to talk to on a daily basis. It is perhaps because of this strong bond between an older person and their pet that one study analysing this relationship came away with dramatic results; finding that older people who were given a pet after a six month period went from requiring 40 hours of human help per week down to just 10 hours. This showed that not only did patients enjoy keeping their pets, but the animals were cost-effective, reducing the need for expensive paid help.

Many older people, like Grace, worry about what will happen to their beloved pets in the event of an illness, accident or hospital visit. Fortunately, charities like the Pet Fostering Service Scotland are there to help in such circumstances. Volunteer fosterers will care for the pets for the duration of the owner’s absence. In most cases, carers or family members contact the charity to arrange the service.

Not everyone has the resources or ability to care for a pet which is, after all, a full- time job. The Therapets service from the Canine Concern Scotland Trust offers visits to care homes and sheltered housing with volunteers and their dogs or cats, allowing residents to experience the therapeutic benefits of the pets.

Nick Henley Price, administrator with the Trust, says: “Usually, residents at a care home or sheltered housing complex will gather in the day room, where they are able to interact with the dog. The volunteers often bring their dogs favourite biscuits with them so that the residents can also give them a treat.” This service does wonders for

11 the over-all well-being of the residents and creates a fun, relaxed atmosphere in the care home.

As for Grace, she is continuing to enjoy retirement with her feline friend by her side.

Your pet contacts

If you would like to provide a loving home for a pet, why not contact your local rescue centre? There are many animals desperately needing a loving home:

Scottish SPCA: tel: 03000 999 999 www.scottishspca.org

Catchat:

Find Scottish cat re-homing centres online www.catchat.org

The Dog Rescue Pages:

Find Scottish dog re-homing centres online www.dogpages.org.uk

Pet Fostering Service Scotland: tel: 0844 811 9909 www.pfss.org.uk

Canine Concern: tel: 01586 810 123 www.canineconcernscotland.org.uk

Find out more about research into the links between pets and health: www.petsfortheelderly.org/research.html

Did you Know?

Thanks to the Care Homes and Sheltered Accommodation (Domestic Pets) Act 2009, sheltered complex and home managers are now required to accept animals unless there is a specific reason why a particular animal would be unsuitable. Good news for older people who need to make the difficult transition away from

12 their home; they will not be forced to give up their faithful furry friends in the process.

13 Free personal and nursing care

Since 2002 older people in Scotland have been entitled for Free Personal and Nursing Care. When this came into force it demonstrated that the new Scottish Parliament was willing to set different priorities to those of the Westminster Government. The controversy has continued, with questions raised as to its affordability and a lack of clarity at times as to what is ‘free’ under the policy. However Free Personal and Nursing Care has survived, and today enjoys broad cross-party support. On 2nd July 2012 it will be ten years old.

To mark this anniversary, Age Scotland would like to hear your views on, and experiences of, Free Personal and Nursing Care. Is it working? Is it a good thing? Can it be improved and, if so, how? You can get in touch through the Advantage contact details on the inside front cover or, alternatively, join the discussion on www.facebook.org.uk/agescotland. We may wish to include your comments in the next edition of Advantage, so please let us know if you would like to remain anonymous.

14 Yet another thing broken! The Age Scotland Helpline receives many calls from people who are having problems as a result of a household appliance breakdown. Senior Information Worker Nan Mccabe offers some tips for an easier fix.

It’s the central heating boiler, the washing machine, your TV or TV aerial. Just a few items on a long list of home appliances that can break down from time to time. Apart from the inconvenience, there can be a lot of worry and frustration involved in trying to make a repair. The good news is that much of this can be avoided.

When contacting a trades person to organise a repair, always ask if estimates are free and whether there is a call out charge. It is important to agree on this before you confirm you need an estimate, otherwise you might be liable for a hefty fee even if it turns out later that a repair cannot be carried out.

If the estimate is more expensive than you had expected, ask the trades person to tell you exactly what is included and then get at least one other estimate for comparison. It can be a good idea to get more than one estimate in all cases – what you thought was reasonable might be on offer even cheaper elsewhere.

Costs can vary depending upon the time of your appointment. Some firms charge premium rates from 4pm on a Friday until 9am on a Monday and between 5pm and 9am during the week. Check this when you make the appointment.

Remember that an estimate is just that. The actual cost of the repair can vary, within reason. If you would like an exact note of the cost you should ask for an accurate, itemised quotation.

In finding a trades person, recommendations by word of mouth from trusted friends and neighbours are often the most reliable. Your household insurer may have a list of trusted trades people in your area.

Think about purchasing a maintenance contract that covers the main essential appliances, for example your central heating boiler, washing machine and cooker. Some of the fuel suppliers offer contracts, as do a number of household insurers. Local trades people may also provide this service. It is essential that you get more than one quotation and that you carefully compare what is covered within each so that you are able to choose a contract that best suits your needs.

15 Putting volunteering at the heart of Age Scotland Age Scotland has always worked with volunteers: as Trustees on our Board, information workers on our Helpline, shops’ volunteers and in various office roles - from fundraising support to helping with our parliamentary work.

We are now looking at what we can do better, and have set up a group of Age Scotland staff and volunteers to update our policies and procedures and to identify an interesting range of opportunities for volunteers to work with us. There will be more information about volunteering opportunities in the next edition of Advantage, but there are two we are particularly keen to share with you now.

Volunteer in a shop

All our Age Scotland charity shops need volunteers now. If you live in Ayr, Bathgate, Broxburn, Dalkeith, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Galashiels, Hamilton, Peebles, Saltcoats or Stirling there is a shop in your community that could do with your help. We will also be opening a shop in Glasgow in the near future.

We need people who can work as part of a team and are friendly and polite. Call in to your local shop for a chat with the manager and to collect an application pack, or email. [email protected]. You can find the location of our shops online at www.agescotland.org.uk/shops or by calling 0845 833 0200.

Volunteer with our Helpline (Based at Causewayside, Edinburgh)

We want to recruit more information volunteers in May 2012. In the past the Helpline had to squeeze in new volunteers one at a time as there was no space to work. Now that we have our new Helpline space we can recruit several people at once.

We are looking for people who won’t judge others, can work as part of a team, understand confidentiality issues, listen to callers sympathetically, research the right answer, explain the information clearly and keep a tidy record of what was said and done.

We are preparing a basic training course about the issues that affect older people so our new volunteers can learn together and quickly become effective members of the Helpline team. We believe the Helpline has an exciting future. Over the next two years we will be changing from simply giving information to providing a more individual service of information and advice. The volunteers who come to work with us in May will be part of the Helpline team as we receive the training necessary to make this change.

We will be holding an open day at Age Scotland’s office at Causewayside in Edinburgh on Wednesday 9th May where you can pop in and find out more about volunteering with the Helpline or in a shop. If you are interested in volunteering but don’t live near our shops or offices, or are housebound, please be assured that we are also looking to develop opportunities in the near future for remote and home- based volunteering.

16 To find out more about the volunteering open day, or volunteering opportunities with the Age Scotland Helpline, call Heather Smith on 0845 833 9322 or email [email protected].

Influence the Government with our Local Housing Panels Do you have strong views on housing provision for older people? Joining a Local Housing Panel is a great way to influence the Scottish Government, says Age Scotland Policy Officer Greg McCracken.

Last year, Age Scotland’s Local Housing Panels played a big part in shaping the Scottish Government’s older people’s housing strategy; ‘Age, Home and Community.’ The strategy sets out its vision on preventative support and how older people can be enabled to live at home for as long as possible.

This move away from higher level – and higher cost – care services isn’t just about saving money. It’s about helping older people live the lives they want, where they want.

A number of key demands from the Local Housing Panels were incorporated into the strategy, such as bringing forward the timescale by which information and advice should be made available, and the need for an interim review to monitor progress against the ambitions. A copy of the Strategy is available on the Government’s website – visit www.scotland.gov.uk and type ‘Age, Home and Community’ into the search box.

Over the coming year, the Government will look at ways of assisting older people to make best use of their personal resources so they can live independently in their own home. Our Panels will again be consulted to inform the Government’s work in this area.

The debate on equity release, a way of using the value of your home to raise money, and the role older people have to play in contributing towards the cost of care, is always a lively one. It’s vital older people’s ideas about the future of equity release are used to inform future planning, so I’m looking forward to starting the discussion with our Panels later in the year.

So what exactly is a Local Housing Panel and what does membership involve? Panels are made up of usually a dozen people aged over 50 who meet about for a facilitated discussion on one or more key housing topics. There are currently four Panels, meeting up to twice a year, in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness, with the South Panel split between Peebles in and Irvine. The Charity appreciates Panel members are volunteering their time, so reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed and catering is available after the meeting.

Age Scotland would like to ensure our Panels continue as a vibrant cross-section of Scotland’s older people. We are especially keen to expand representation from across remote and rural areas, including Orkney and Shetland, and particularly the

17 Western Isles, where we will be holding a meeting this year. If you’re interested in taking part in your Panel, please call me on 0845 833 9332 or email [email protected]. If you are already on a Panel, don’t worry – there’s no need to re-apply.

As testament to the Scottish Government’s respect for the contribution Housing Panel’s make, it recently renewed and increased funding for the Charity’s Housing Project. This grant not only supports work with the Panels but also a range of complementary initiatives, not least Age Scotland’s popular ‘Hot Tips’ Calendar which you can look forward to receiving in the autumn.

18 Have your say on 3rd of May You’d be forgiven for not noticing but in matter of weeks the electorate (that’s you) in each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities go to the polls to determine who controls the purse strings within their respective council chambers. Now local government and local election are often ridiculed by the electorate and commentators alike, and often for good reason... can anyone tell me when the next tram arrives on Princes Street? But local councils hold real power and influence over all our lives with over £11.5bn at their disposal this year to spend on core front-line service such as schools and social care. Therefore it is clear that these elections really matter.

Indeed for the first time since 1995 the local elections are de-coupled from the Scottish Parliament election, which means national issues and national politicians should not dominate the headlines and there should be a better opportunity to get informed about what local candidates and local parties are offering to all our respective communities.

Now, given the scale of the cuts facing all councils there will be a lot of difficult decisions made around spending, and services that were previously considered untouchable, such as social care, will come under intense scrutiny. That is why it is vital that everyone takes the opportunity to exercise their vote and that on the morning after May 3rd we find that our local authorities are led by parties that will prioritise the services that most improve the lives and well-being of all older people.

Together we can make more of a difference

If you are part of a group that would like to see your neighbourhood become more ‘age friendly’, there is still time to take part in Age Scotland’s ‘Walk in our shoes. Act on our issues’ campaign. We are offering a FREE pack for making a community map that puts the spotlight on things that hinder - or help - older people in getting out and about. The pack includes a guide for using your map as a campaigning tool in the run up to the 3rd May local elections, the ideal time for getting politicians to make promises! At the top of this page you will find a sample map, that uses stickers so that no artistic skill is needed to take part. Special thanks to the Open Forum at Pilton Equalities Project in Edinburgh, which piloted the pack for us – we took it as a good sign that they wanted to keep and use their map!

To request a pack call 0845 833 0200 or email. [email protected].

19 Fun on prescription Dr Stuart Smith, a leading expert in active ageing based at the National Research and Medical Research Council of Australia, believes television has a positive role to play in keeping older people fit and well. He spoke to Advantage about his work.

If somebody told you that television was good for your health, chances are you would be sceptical. However Dr Stuart Smith and his team have found that not only can TV-based video games promote health, they can also increase social connectivity.

“The evidence for the positive effects of even moderate exercise is overwhelming,” says Stuart, “yet as a society we simply do not do enough for all of the known health benefits to really kick in. Many people spend a lot of time sedentary in front of the television. So we wondered if it would be possible to make use of this technology to encourage exercise. It isn't a novel idea - for as long as I can remember there have been exercise programs on TV.

“We use videogame consoles that connect to the TV to encourage older adults to do at least a modicum of physical activity. Unlike the old TV keep-fit shows, exercise- based videogames – ‘exergames’ for short - give immediate feedback about your performance, deliver motivational messages and allow peer group support . And they can be great fun!”

Yet might associations of video games with children not be a put-off? Stuart says: “The first response I get is often negative. The media can portray videogames negatively, and many older people see them as a barrier between themselves and their grandchildren, so it’s understandable. Luckily many of the new gesture-based videogame systems are really very intuitive, are fun to play, and enable older adults to forget that they are playing a videogame. I often hear people in residential care facilities talk about their tennis or golf sessions.”

So is there an untapped market for video games for older people? “Absolutely,” says Stuart. “In Australia the videogame industry is starting to expand from its traditional market of younger and hardcore gamers. The demographic of gamers is ageing very rapidly, but there is an unmet need for the kinds of games that older adults will want to play.”

“An early sign of their potential is in the area of stroke rehabilitation. When I first saw Fruit Ninja played on an iPad, I could see it would be perfect for encouraging stroke patients to engage in upper limb rehabilitation - a very boring and frustrating form of rehab. The ‘off-the-shelf’ version was too hard, so I contacted the game developer who created a modified adaptation that has been used in stroke rehab

20 gym since to great effect. Maybe if we can tweak existing games a bit, at little cost, a whole new market will evolve.”

The game modification approach also shows potential for improving balance and preventing falls. There’s a very popular ‘exergame called Dance Dance Revolution, which according to Stuart “...requires a lot of physical skill and concentration and has fast beat music and flashy graphics.” He says: “We worked with older adults to modify it so that the music played is appropriate to their interests and tastes. We also slowed play down to allow them plenty of time to make an appropriate step response. Now, it’s almost perfectly suited to engaging older adults in a training program where they practice rapid stepping.

“If you've ever suffered a trip or fall event, you'll know that if you were able to move your feet just a little bit faster, you may have been able to recover your balance. We've just finished a trial showing that after an 8 week intervention using our modified game, older adults in the intervention group were significantly less at risk for falls those in a control group.”

Stuart believes that the speed of innovation in the video game market means that the barriers to engaging older people in videogame play are really starting to tumble. He says that Microsoft’s new Kinect for Xbox system is particularly good for people with stroke or spinal cord injury, but also for older adults generally. “It’s very intuitive, everything is gesture based so there’s no need for players to hold any controller, and the voice activation technology is popular with older adults. The Yourshape Fitness Evolved 2012 for the Kinect, by Ubisoft, includes a series of strength and balance training tasks that map beautifully onto some of the recommended exercises for improving balance and reducing fall risk in older people.”

Of course not all exergames will benefit older adults to the same extent. “The Nintendo Wii console and Wii Fit exergames were the first to be really marketed as aids for health and fitness” says Stuart. “However the controls can be a little difficult to use, for example for someone with bad arthritis of the hand, and many of the game titles are not that appealing to older adults. Nintendo has not been so amenable to working with us to modify Wii games so I tend not to use it anymore.”

Increasingly video games enable players across the world to compete with each other, so could this technology also enable older people to become more connected and reduce social isolation, in itself a risk to health? “It’s likely that we will soon be able to build exercise-based videogames that could see people from across generations competing against each other,” says Stuart.

“In Australia our government has committed to building a high speed National Broadband Network. With a few developers of Microsoft Kinect videogames, we are exploring ways for remotely located players to compete against each other in real time over the Network. Think about it - a clinician based in Sydney could ‘play’ against an older patient in a remote rural town and give instant feedback about how

21 well they are doing. And a kid in Gympie, rural Queensland, could play against their grandparent in Glasgow. It’s exciting stuff!”

Dr Stuart Smith is keynote speaker at the World Congress on Active Ageing, 13-17 August, Glasgow. To book your Senior’s Pass, which costs £15 and allows admission to one day at the World Congress, including lunch, call 0141 331 0123 or email [email protected].

Fundraising An early Christmas present from Wilkinson’s

Wilkinson’s store in Castle Douglas had leftover stocks of packs of Christmas cards, decorations and four huge bright red Christmas trees. The store staff decided to ask Age Scotland to distribute them to older people’s groups, so from now until early summer, all the items will be shared out amongst groups in the area so that next Christmas they’ll be ready to celebrate.

The Dalbeattie Floral Art Club is planning to use the trees and some of the decorations in its workshops and the floral art displays created will be for use in the community around Dalbeattie and Dumfries. The club plans to donate one of the art pieces to Dalbeattie Day Centre as well as offer participants at their local community Christmas lunches some of the Christmas cards.

So look out for these art works around Dalbeattie and Dumfries next Christmas.

Bobble Day

On February 10th Age Scotland staff and volunteers celebrated National Bobble Day. Everyone turned out in their favourite winter woollies and accessorised with colourful bobbles. The bake sale was a fantastic success with some very tasty delights to sample.

A big thank you to everyone in Scotland who supported this event in its first year. Look out for Bobble Day 2013 which will be bigger, brighter and have lots more bobbles. It is a great way to have fun whilst raising money to help keep older people warm, safe and well in winter.

Going the extra mile for Age Scotland

Pauline and John Carlyle, a couple from Annan, have signed up to run the Edinburgh Marathon for Age Scotland. Our active fundraisers started their training in their Age Scotland branded running vests and are almost ready to take on the fastest marathon in Scotland. They also have started their fundraising efforts, collecting sponsorship from their friends and family offline as well as online at Virgin Money Giving.

22 If you would like to show your support for this courageous couple, who will face the 26.2 mile race on Sunday 27th May, please go online to http://bit.ly/pjcarlyle and sponsor them.

We thank them greatly for their efforts to help us make life better for older people in Scotland and are looking forward to seeing their photos at the finish line.

Age Scotland is looking for Adventurous Supporters

Age Scotland is looking for people from across the country to make a sponsored jump on our behalf. In return, we are willing to pay the cost of your Registration Fee. All you have to do is to raise the minimum sponsorship amount of £450. Oh, and also jump out of a plane flying at 10,000 feet! This amazing experience is open to everyone, women and men alike and from all age groups.

Up for the adventure but rather have your feet on the ground? Then our Hadrian’s Wall Trek is just for you! One wall to conquer, one weekend to do it in and one heroic adventure, walking 25 miles following in the footsteps of the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s legions. This is a great event for all who enjoy walking. You won’t have only a terrific time, make new friends and enjoy the team spirit, but you will also help Age Scotland make life better for older people.

If you are interested in any of the above or know someone who might be, please give our Fundraising team a call now on 0845 833 9334 or email [email protected].

News from the West Renfrewshire Care Homes benefit from grant support

Development Officer Linda Anderson was pleased to enable two Renfrewshire care homes to access Age Scotland grant funding earlier this year.

Renfrew Care Home received grant support for a programme of social activities for residents that included, falls awareness, yoga, reiki and singing for the brain.

And Montrose Care Home recently opened the doors to its new and innovative Sensory Relaxation Room for the home’s sixty residents. The room is equipped with sensory and relaxation equipment including bubble lights, mirror balls, fibre optic sprays, natural music and a huge selection of hand-held instruments and toys. George Watson, Activities Co-Coordinator at Montrose Care Home said: “This is the first relaxation room of its kind in the Renfrewshire area and we are delighted that Age Scotland saw fit to fund such a new and innovative therapy.”

23 Gerry Higgins, the Senior Social Worker in charge of the Dementia Unit of Montrose Care Home, said: “It is often difficult to find recreational activities that are enjoyable, age-appropriate and engaging for older people who have physical disabilities or dementia. Sensory rooms are designed to create a feeling of comfort and safety, where residents can relax, explore and enjoy the surroundings at their leisure.”

The Friends of Montrose, fundraisers for the home, worked with Linda to bring the project to fruition and are extremely pleased that the equipment is now in place and ready to use.

Age Scotland Regional Trustee, Bill Martin said “Enhancing the quality of life for our most vulnerable older people is at the heart of our vision for the future and our grants programme has supported a huge variety of projects this year. However the Sensory Room and the Activity Programme are particularly inspiring.”

A Glasgow update

There are a variety of stories from the West to report on over the winter months. Generations Working Together, whose Steering Group is chaired by Development Officer Charlie Murphy, was pleased to receive news of Scottish Government funding for the next three years. This will enable it to maintain its role as the Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice, especially significant in this, the European Year of Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity.

Two new member groups received grants from Age Scotland. Playbusters, an award-winning and innovative community project in the East End of Glasgow was awarded funding to help it build upon work carried out during the difficult winter of 2010/11. Back then members leafleted the frailer, older local people in the community offering assistance with tasks including path clearing, prescription collection and shopping. Through this self-funded initiative a number of isolated older people who did not have access to many social opportunities were identified and as a result, throughout 2012, a fortnightly programme of events and activities, supported by this grant, will be run for these people.

The second new group to receive funding is a Community Flat in Greater Govan, which offers a drop-in with lunch and activities, including bingo, two days a week, including opening on both these evenings. It received financial support to help with unexpected fuel bills.

Your local Age Scotland team Linda Anderson (Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire) 01355 279929 Charlie Murphy (Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde) 0141 427 5145

24 News from the South

Coats galore!

A huge thank you to primary 5 pupils at St Michael’s School in Dumfries, and their teacher Ciara Crilly, for collecting and donating 113 coats to Age Scotland. Sales of the coats in Age Scotland shops will raise funds for the Charity’s work locally and across Scotland.

On 16th December the class walked from school to our shop in Dumfries, carrying one coat each, singing all the way. There they were met by Development Officer Morag Halliday, Shop Manager Eleanor Fortser and South and West Areas Manager Paula Cochrane.

Pupil Karene Laurie made up this Hand Clap song: We donated one coat each, Now we’ll tell you a special treat, We donated 113 coats, And hung then in the gym hall, lots and lots!

Active ageing in Ayrshire

Age Scotland’s Ayrshire Network is to hold an Active Ageing Day on 23rd June in the run up to the World Congress on Active Ageing in Glasgow this August.

The Network is inviting interested groups to join them on the Isle of Cumbrae for traditional games, a beach picnic and a sponsored walk to raise funds for their respective groups. Age Scotland South Region staff will join in with a fund-raising cycle around the island.

For further information contact further Development Officer Heather Baillie (details in panel).

Down but not out in Dumfries and Galloway

Older people across Dumfries and Galloway had their collective voice muted by the closure of Dumfries and Galloway Seniors’ Forum in January. Scotland’s largest group of this nature, with a membership peaking at 3500, was dissolved by a unanimous members vote after 22 years in operation. It had reported combined losses of £18,008 for 2010 and 2011 and, in the absence of an agreement on the level of future funding from the council, decided that continuation was not feasible.

However a meeting on 20th February, aimed at establishing a successor, attracted more than 50 people. This adopted the name D&G Over 50s Group, with unanimous agreement that the words ‘older people’, ‘seniors’, ‘elderly’ or ‘forum’ did not fit with a desired new emphasis on maturity, experience and positive ageing. A further open meeting to launch the new group is planned once the governance structure is in place. For more information contact Age Scotland Development Officer Morag Halliday (details below).

25 Dates for your diary

South Region Joint Network Meeting, 1st May. Douglas Arms, Castle Douglas. Contact your local Age Scotland team (details below).

Ayrshire Network Meeting, 10.30am 10th May. Broomlands & Bourtreehill Age Concern. Contact Heather (details below).

End of Life Matters Conference, 2nd May in Dumfries, 23rd May in Stranraer

For details and to book call Heather Hall at DG Voice on 01387 257770 or Allison Waugh, Scottish Health Council, on 01387 261222.

Your local Age Scotland team

Morag Halliday (Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders) 01387 251036 Heather Baillie (Ayrshire) 01563 528 441

26 News from the north Equipment and parties topped the North grants given before Christmas. Tagsa Uibhist and Glenurquhart Day Care Centre received funding towards specialist equipment to broaden the range of care they can offer clients. Age Scotland and Wilkinson’s grants also contributed to Christmas cheer at events held in Sleat, Dunbeath, Barra and Moray.

The Volunteer Centre Moray held a very successful Christmas day party that attracted older people who would otherwise have been alone. The day saw the Moray Council Convener serving dessert and other councillors helping out in support. Five young people gave up their Christmas day to assist and two volunteers visited a gentleman who was not well enough to attend and would otherwise have been on his own. He enjoyed a visit, gifts and a good lunch. The meals were partly funded by an Age Scotland Grant.

Meanwhile Buckie B.A.L.L. (Be Active - Live Longer) Group successfully applied for a grant for craft materials and a new CD player so they have music to accompany their keep fit.

At the end of January, Development Officer Jo Cowan and Resource Worker Christine Anderson attended Evanton Fundraising Group’s extra-special Senior Citizens Dinner. This dynamic group, which arranges social events and outings for the older people of Evanton in Ross-shire, was honouring member William Ingram, who had reached the age of 100. A sumptuous meal was followed by great musical entertainment and dancing.

The Stay Safe Project in Inverness has welcomed a new Co-ordinator in the shape of Evelyn Sinclair, who has been a volunteer with the project since its inception.

In February, member group Highland Rainbow Folk, arranged a film showing to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month. Having secured funding from Highland Council and LGBT History Month, the group arranged an evening of stories and films at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. This free event attracted around 50 people. Group Secretary Christine Painter said: “We are pleased that the event was so successful and the atmosphere felt very celebratory. It is important for us to raise the visibility of LGBT people and tonight I think we succeeded.”

In Aberdeenshire, the Westhill and District Men’s Shed is well on the way to opening its own ‘Shed.’ The project aims to promote general wellbeing, continuing education and healthy lifestyles for retired men and others who are looking to use their time constructively and enjoyably. Men will be able to engage in creative, fun activities and meet and chat with other men. This Men’s Shed model has proven successful in Australia where there are over 550 in existence. This is believed to be

27 the first in Scotland but, if anyone has examples of similar projects, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Development Officer Suzy Gentle (details below).

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

News from the east

No Smokies, but a Great Day Out in Arbroath. On Tuesday 13th of March, older people and service providers gathered at Arbroath Town Mission Centre to take part in the first of many local network meetings that the Charity is arranging across the country. The event, which was generously hosted by Dr Bob Clapham and Wilma Swankie of the Town Mission, included a splendid lunch.

For part of the day delegates participated in groups that best reflected their interests, including service delivery, campaigning, and social issues. There was lively debate and an invaluable exchange of information and ideas. Age Scotland Community Services Manager, Tara Anderson, said: “This is an ideal opportunity to find out exactly what older people wish Age Scotland to focus on in their local area. The issues discussed today will be shared across the Charity and will influence our development and policy work both locally and nationally.”

Delegates were enthusiastic about the content of the day and committed themselves to future network meetings around the area. Three meetings annually are anticipated, in addition to the regional assembly in the autumn. For future gatherings, more groups and delegates will be invited so that the benefits can be shared more widely around the area.

Relief all round as Alloa toilets saved

In April 2011 Advantage reported on the 'Save oor lavvies' campaign to reverse the decision to close Alloa’s most central and accessible public toilets. Following a recent change in the council administration, Alloa town centre toilets have been saved from demolition. A review of public conveniences in Alloa will now take place.

SNP council leader Gary Womersley said: "The closure of the toilets sent out a message that was not well received by local businesses and the community at large.” However, other council members questioned whether it was prudent to be spending £65,000 on toilets.

28 Age Scotland Development Officer Douglas Macnaughtan said: “That common sense has prevailed is testament to the tenacity of local campaigners. With closures and cutbacks happening up and down the country, this should give hope to others that valued services can be saved if older people speak out and don’t take no for an answer.”

A warm welcome to Carole

In December last year Age Scotland welcomed Carole Anderson as its newest local Development Officer. Before joining the Charity, Carole worked for four years with Fife Elderly Forum, initially as a Volunteer Co-ordinator with the Forum’s Advocacy Service for Older People and then as the Facilitator for the User Panels. She will now be providing support for older people’s groups in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Perth and Kinross, where she takes over from Douglas Macnaughtan. Douglas will continue part-time as Development Officer for Fife, Dundee and Angus. Carole says: “I am looking forward to finding out what is available for older people in my areas and to working with the groups to strengthen what already exists and to develop new initiatives as required. I have already visited some groups and been impressed with the range of services they are providing and the very positive impact they are having on older people’s lives.”

Your local Age Scotland team Douglas Macnaughtan (Fife, Dundee, Angus,) 01324 717 079 Doug McLellan (Edinburgh, Lothians, Falkirk) 0131 315 3158 Carole Anderson (Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Clackmannanshire) 01577 864658

Theatre puts spotlight on older people When is a theatre not a theatre? When it’s a valued community learning centre for older people!

The Byre Theatre in St Andrews is providing opportunities for new learning within the local community for people aged fifty and over through its Haydays programme. It runs a variety of fun, creative daytime classes, including painting and drawing, singing for fun, jewellery-making, bell-ringing, clay modelling, stained glass-work, and even Japanese Taiko drumming. There are also lunchtime talks and a book group.

Haydays is part of the Byre’s education and outreach programme, which is at the heart of its vision to be a ‘lively, exciting and accessible theatre that is creative in its work inspires creativity in others.’ So what has the response been? “We have 150 members, in the main women, who really enjoy a fun day out and the opportunity to meet friends,” says Irene McNair, Haydays at the Byre Co-ordinator.

29 Long standing member Sylvia says: “I am still very enthusiastic. Over the years Haydays has attracted people who are new to the area or a bit lost through personal situations, at times with mental health issues, and it’s been a definite life-saver for some. The opportunity to be seen, and to enjoy a cultural experience never before on offer to this age group, has been great.”

Haydays has big plans for new classes and more members. “Last year we held a Christmas panto, enthusiastically written and directed by, and starring, the members of Haydays” says Irene. “It was a great success and an example of the fun and creativity people enjoy here.” Anne Gallacher, Arts Festival Director for Age Scotland, says: “The Byre’s Haydays programme is an excellent example of an arts organisation using its building and expertise to offer exciting creative activities for older people.”

For more information call Irene Mcnair on 01334 468729 (Mondays and Tuesdays) or email [email protected].

The Festival is coming!

In October, Scotland’s first festival of creative ageing will take place. A partnership between Age Scotland, Creative Scotland and the Baring Foundation, the festival will celebrate and showcase creative arts with, by, for and about people as they age.

Since starting in post in January 2012, Arts Festival Coordinator Anne Gallacher has barely paused for breath in her search for potential contributors. Anne says: “I have been overwhelmed by the sheer number and variety of inspirational arts activities with and for older people, including many that bring the generations together. The festival offers a tremendous opportunity to put this work in the spotlight, to commission new projects, and to ensure that we reach many more people in the future.”

There will be opportunities for a wide range of people and organisations to become involved and details will be available on the Age Scotland website in the next few weeks – so watch this space.

30 Playtime’s not over By Ally Maxwell

Swing’s and hoots of laughter – just like any other playground in Scotland. Except this one, in Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands, isn’t just any playground. It’s especially designed with older people in mind.

You won’t see any see-saws or slides. The Xerscape outdoor gym offers body twisters, ski machines, chest presses and a pull-down exerciser for gentle work-outs.

Long popular in China and Japan, playground’s for older people began cropping up in Europe in the noughties. There are now a number of these outdoor gyms across the UK including in Scotland.

Seniors playgrounds not only offer the chance to get in shape and enjoy the great outdoors, they also provide a safe space where people can chat and exercise at their own pace, a welcome alternative to commercial gyms which can often be intimidating and alienating for older people. Dr Emmanuelle Tulle of Glasgow Caledonian University says: “Gyms are not necessarily the place for everyone, especially those who are older, because most people do not see themselves as sporty so can be easily frightened off.

“We propose a more community-orientated approach aimed at fostering enjoyment and happiness derived from the discovery of physicality and the creation of social ties.”

Ronald Young, chairman for the Cromarty Community Council, said “We have lots of people using the park. In the winter it gets quiet but in the summer it’s jam-packed with a lot of grandparents using it with grandkids so they can both enjoy the activities.”

We could find only two other seniors’ playgrounds in addition to the one in Cromarty, and these were in Aberdeen and Paisley. So why aren’t there more? At around £15,000 a pop, it is difficult to raise funds and get sponsorship from local companies, particularly in the current economic climate. However, residents in Cromarty hosted local fund-raising events to contribute to their senior fitness park, and in doing so raised awareness about the project. Where there’s a will, there’s a way to play.

Open for discussion

We asked what YOU thought about senior playgrounds on our Facebook and Twitter pages, with some very positive reactions.

“Being able to laugh with friends and grandchildren and get fit at the same time definitely has an enormous impact. I say build more!” Diana

31 “Good idea…I’d use it if we had one nearby…” Paula

“A great idea for maintaining balance and strength. Also good for preventing isolation and having fun!” Sam

“Something that brings older people together and lets them have fun would get a thumbs-up from us!” National Benevolent Fund for the Aged

While not everyone relishes the idea, it seems that there are many older people who would welcome the opportunity to exercise more and increase social interaction through a senior playground. With the backing of an increasing number of local councils, older people’s charities, doctors, the general public and the over 65s, perhaps senior playgrounds spell the future in active ageing.

32 Youth Group Soup Group scoop a well deserved award Age Scotland’s full membership has recently broadened to include groups with a track record of providing services or projects for older people. This has been cause for celebration in Argyll and Bute, as Tarbert Youth Group (TYG), of whom the Charity has long been an admirer, has at last been able to join.

The group has run a Soup Group for up to 25 older people at its premises on Loch Fyne, every Monday since August 2010, and very much enjoyed. In fact, growing numbers have led to a call for a Friday Soup Group session to meet the extra need.

Last November TYG was nominated for the Society Herald Awards and short-listed in the Older People’s Project of the Year for The Soup Group, so TYG representatives set off for a the awards event at the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow along with other finalists and leading thinkers to share, to listen and learn, and to celebrate the great work being done throughout Scotland.

Heather Bellshaw, TYG’s Project Co-ordinator, gives her impression of the experience: “It was a fab day for the Tarbert Youth Group Soup Group. We were in the top four for Scotland in our category: providing a service to the over 65s in our community. We had a great time mixing, sharing experiences and hearing about future funding opportunities.

“We felt so delighted for our unsung heroes. All of the people attending are exceptional in the service they provide to their communities and we felt very privileged just to be part of this.

“It reinforced the fact that what we are doing is something that works. Well done to all the young people who make up our wonderful volunteer team – especially our trainee on work placement, Laura Mair, for making the Soup Group what it is, and, of course, to all of the older people who attend every Monday.

“With the young helpers, mums and children who become part of the Soup Group during the holidays when they are able to attend, it is becoming a truly intergenerational event, turning around our community, tackling isolation and loneliness, improving social skills and general well-being through the provision of company and being part of something together.... belonging!”

Jo Cowan, Age Scotland’s Development Officer North, is full of admiration for the group’s enthusiasm and energy. “We are really chuffed to have TYG and the Soup Group as Age Scotland members! This isn’t the first time that the group has been involved in bringing the generations together.

“A couple of years ago, it produced a cookery book along with Big Green Tarbert using some recipes provided by the older people of the village and the book’s launch

33 was a super night at which all who attended had an amazing time. Heather is now sharing some of the lessons learned and is acting as local co-ordinator for the Generations Working Together Network.”

34 A window on the world The internet can help end isolation for housebound people says guest columnist Bob Howie.

I wasn't interested in computers when I was working as I didn't have time and there was not much use I could see for them except for playing games. That changed when I started having health problems and suddenly had more time on my hands. TV was rubbish and things got a bit boring and I got into the internet because I wanted to find things without spending endless hours walking through town.

This last year I sustained an injury and my health deteriorated until my mobility was compromised. What kept me going was an internet platform I discovered involving people all over the world, and while chatting with them I found out that many were just like me. It was nice to think I was part of an international community of people who, no matter where they were from, were the same.

As a result I got their Skype addresses and now I talk to my internet friends all over the planet and I have had some interesting conversations. I have met and communicate with: an anthropological archaeologist, a heart surgeon, farmers, pharmaceutical reps, serving soldiers, business managers, salesmen and women, accountants and self-employed people from all walks of life. In the past year I have built up a group I can talk to in Europe, Asia, America, Canada and Australia, and the good thing is that it is all free.

If you are not into computers don’t worry - there are lots of courses available, including some at local community centres. The internet does have people who will take advantage of you if you are not careful; they design and name their sites to sound and look exactly like the sites you are looking for, so arm yourself with a good Internet Security program to warn of any threats present on a site. Personally I use another free product, AVG, which I have found to be very good and not too intrusive.

I have also gotten used to the ever-present spam mail - I have won $100,000,000, had marriage proposals and most of anything else you could think off. Remember if it’s too good to be true, then it is. If they want an administration fee, then it’s definitely a scam.

I use the internet daily now. I do my banking, shop, chat to friends (last night to a friend in Bulgaria) and all round am quite comfortable with my life. I don’t consider myself to be lonely just because I am the only person in my home. People see me disappear indoors and think because the only visitor I get is the guy delivering my prescription that I am lonely. I am not - sometimes it is hard to squeeze in everyone who wants to talk to me.

35 The internet has something for everyone. I hope that your journey of discovery will be as much fun as mine has been and continues to be.

If you have an idea for a Soap Box column, call Doug Anthoney on 0845 833 9313, email [email protected] or write to Doug at the Age Scotland office address on the back-page. The views of Soap Box columnists do not necessarily reflect Age Scotland’s views or policies.

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