Scottish Older

People’s Assembly Tom Berney and Glenda Watt

#LWLL

Who are the older people of Scotland?

• Assets and contributors to the economy

• Parents, friends, partners and mentors

• Grandparents

• Carers and Kinship Carers

• Workers

• Volunteers

• Entrepreneurs

• People from ethnic and LGBTI communities

• People who have long term conditions, suffer discrimination,

stereotyping, poverty and abuse

What is the Scottish Older People’s Assembly

• A voice for older people

• A means of communication between the Governments and Scotland’s older people

• A sounding board for policy affecting older people

• A source of advice for Governments on identifying, and responding to older people’s needs and aspirations

• A means of providing feedback to the Governments on the consequences and impact of policies and legislation

Background

• Scottish Parliament 1999

• Better Government for Older People

• All Our Futures – 2007

• SOPA 2009 – 2015/16

• Hosted by the City of Edinburgh Council

• Scottish Government Funding - £65K

• Big Lottery Funding £10k

SOPA Committee

• Age Scotland • Alzheimer Scotland

• Borders Older People's Services Forum

• Centre for Life Long Learning

• Celebrate Age Network Dundee

• City of Edinburgh Council

• Dumfries and Galloway Seniors Forum

• Dundee Pensioners Forum

• Edinburgh’s A City for All Ages Advisory Group

• Generations Working Together

• Grey Matters, Helensburgh

• Highland Senior Citizens Network

• Human Development Scotland

• Interfaith Association Edinburgh and Scotland

SOPA Committee

• Joint North Ayrshire Elderly Forum • LGBT Age

• Older People's Reference Group, Stirling

• Make It Happen Forum, Falkirk

• National Pensioners Convention

• Renfrewshire Seniors Forum

• Scottish Government

• STUC

• Scottish Pensioners Forum

• Scottish Seniors Alliance

• Seniors Together South Lanarkshire

• Trust Housing Association

• U3A Scotland

• West Lothian Senior Peoples Forum

SOPA Assemblies

• 2009 Scottish Parliament

• 2010 Glasgow Concert Halls

• 2011 Edinburgh International Conference Centre

• 2012 Edinburgh International Conference Centre

• 2013 Edinburgh International Conference Centre

• 2014 Scottish Parliament

• 2015 Reception Scottish Parliament

• 2015 Scottish Parliament

• 2015 House of Commons

What do we do

• We get involved

• Listen to older people

• Lobby Ministers

• Participate in Cross Party Groups

• Participate in UK Advisory Forum on Ageing

• Meet Officials - serve on Committees

• Meet professionals

• Chair events

• Share our experiences with other older people

Local Campaign Trail

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2014LerwickAberdeenInverness DundeeStirlingKirkcaldyEdinburghPenicuikHamilton GlasgowAyr Dumfries

2015DalkeithLivingstonIrvineKirkwallKilmarnockFalkirkGlasgowPaisleyCarnoustieTurriffEdinburghMusselburghNorth BerwickHelensburghOban AuchinleckAlso in Glasgow LGBTI CommunityBME EldersInterfaith Older WomenDisabled People

Concerns from Grassroots

Transport, Travel and Environment

Lack of a range of transport options to provide access to education,

culture, recreation and sport (including evenings) to prevent isolation and

loneliness: expensive parking, including at some hospitals: diminishing

accessible public toilet facilities: poor building access and signage:

insurance restrictions.

Community Empowerment

Poor understanding of the Community Empowerment legislation:

inconsistent intergenerational attitudes and actions: poor opportunities in

some areas for involvement in learning and supported volunteering: lack of

inclusiveness and equality for groups often on the margins, for example

LGBTI and ethnic communities.

Retirement, Pensions and Money Matters

Major concerns about food, fuel and funerals costs: anomalies in pensions

and allowances as people reach pension age and are involved in caring

tasks: personal assets at risk from scam phone calls, mailings, emails,

predatory professionals, tradesmen and family members.

Concerns from Grassroots

Housing and Community Safety

• Shortage of affordable, accessible and fit for later life housing options: lack of safe and congenial environments: limited police presence: few home maintenance schemes: minimal subsidised renewable energy: lack of transparent and value for money factoring charges and arrangements.

Health and Social Care

• Older people not on integrated joint boards: isolation and loneliness a threat to life: discriminatory attitudes in NHS: long waiting times for assessments: few types of respite care: regional variations with different specialisms, including supporting people at the end of life: undervaluing paid and non-paid carers: GPs’ contracts impede quality care: shortfall in governance of care,

Communication and Information

• Computer-use difficult for some: paper communications and forms ambiguous: random use of loop systems and lip-reading facilities: ageist attitudes and beliefs: end of life issues problematic: inadequate communication between agencies about the same person

Campaign Actions 2015/16

• Non – profit / social enterprise funeral arrangements • An older person representative on all Joint Integrated

Boards

• Care workers are respected, paid and trained to behave in a caring way

• Care homes and care at home are linked to the community to improve the lives of older people

• Funding of therapeutic services for older people is the same as that for adults

• Educational courses for older people on Active Citizenship

• Funding for the use of a range of communication technology

• A fairer pricing /tariff system by energy companies that do not discriminate against older people

SOPA Assemblies

Communications Older People

• SOPA Newsletter

• SOPA Website

• Connecting websites

• Word of mouth - “the grapevine”

• Other Assemblies / events / groups of older people

Officials

• Cross Party Groups

• Scottish Government / COSLA / working groups

• Westminster Government

Web Page www.scotopa.org.uk

Scottish Older People’s Assembly

Tom Berney Chairperson &

Glenda Watt Coordinator

O131 469 3806

glenda.watt@edinburgh.gov.uk

www.scotopa.org.uk

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