30.10.2014
Giving a strong voice to Scotland’s older people will be the focus on Friday (31 October) as the Scottish Older People’s Assembly takes place at the Scottish Parliament.
The Assembly will bring together politicians and guests from across Scotland to discuss the implications of the Community Empowerment Bill. The Assembly will also explore areas of concern raised by older people across Scotland. Issues to be discussed will include transport, safety and housing.
Deputy Presiding Officer, Elaine Smith MSP said:
“The Scottish Older People’s Assembly gives a strong voice to older people across Scotland as well making a clear statement about the important role older people have to play in our society.
“I look forward to welcoming the Assembly to the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.”
This year’s Assembly will be the sixth to take place and it follows a series of community meetings held across Scotland in recent months where attendees were asked ‘what one action would benefit older people’.
Chair of the Scottish Older People’s Assembly, Tom Berney said:
“The Scottish Older People’s Assembly exists to give a strong voice to older people about their concerns and experience.
“To make sure we captured as wide a range of views as possible and reached people throughout Scotland we held a pre Assembly roadshow in 12 areas from Dumfries up to the Shetlands.
“The issues raised at the grass roots will now be conveyed directly to the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament for attention and action on Friday and Westminster in the near future. It is vitally important that politicians and communities recognise the ‘longevity dividend’ - the asset which older people bring to society and the contribution they make.”
The event will be webcast live on the Parliament’s website from 11.30 am to 4.00 pm (www.scottish.parliament.uk/tv) on Friday 31 October 2014.
Photographs
Photographs of the event will be available free of charge. Please contact the Scottish Parliament photographer Andrew Cowan on 0131 348 5878.