Mrs Ann McLaughlan from Age Scotland

The Rotary Club of Kilrymont St Andrews marked World Polio Day recently with a £1000 donation to Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.  The donation included money raised by club secretary Grace Morris selling her delicious home-made plum jam, the proceeds of Ewen Allan’s crocus pins street collection and Isobel Clifford’s tins of mints. 

The £1000 will actually become £3000 with the addition of 2:1 funding pledge from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Last Tuesday the club welcomed Ann McLaughlan, Community Fundraiser for Age Scotland, who gave a talk on the work of this leading national charity supporting the rights and interests of older people. Having taken up her post in February this year, she described how fundraising opportunities have been limited due to the Covid pandemic and so her role was diverted to the charity’s helpline, where advice is offered on a range of areas including housing, welfare benefits, carer support, power of attorney among many other issues.  The charity also provides support for anyone over 65 who has spent some time in one of the armed forces, and organises social support groups in the community specifically for military veterans.

Loneliness and isolation, even in non-Covid times, present a major challenge for older people, with surveys suggesting over 200,000 in Scotland can spend up to a week without any opportunity to speak to another person. With lockdown restrictions compounding the problem, the number of calls to the helpline have increased significantly from about 500 per week to about 1750.  The once weekly ‘friendship’ phone calls from the charity’s volunteers ‘just for a chat’ have been most welcome relief for many and often their only form of social contact. In addition, the charity also has a ‘Community Connect’ team in which regional ambassadors in various locations throughout Scotland will help organise support groups in the community, such as Men’s Sheds, afternoon teas etc. During lockdown, this form of support has been more limited  with volunteers giving instruction in how to use iPads or how to log on to Zoom or Facetime for those less familiar with how the digital age may help.

Another increasing important part of Age Scotland's work is helpline assistance for families who have a relative iwth dementia.  Every member of the charity's staff and all volunteers undertake training in dementia care, to ensure appropriate practical advice for all relatives and friends involved in managing the condition including details of local support services.

The promotion of health and general well-being is another aspect of the charity's work.  This may range from advice on how best to keep warm in winter, while keeping a check on energy costs, or it may include physical exercise, such as 'Body Boosting Bingo', the current health craze fo older people.  This is similar to a regular game of bingo, although each number called relates to an exercise or activity.  For example 'number 10, let's twist again', 'number 8, lets' life some weights'.  Age Scotland has been hosting games from Gretna to John O'Graots and even held a special showcase game with MSPs at the Scottish Parliament.  It's proved so popular that they have developed a version that members can host whenever it suits them, and it's free for Age Scotland members!

Ann concluded by describing how we can all help through fundraising, volunteering, or through membership, whether personal or corporate.  In view of the particular vulnerability of older people at this time, this was a timely and engaging reminder of the important contribution of Age Scotland to their welfare.  George McIntosh thanked Ann on behalf of the club.