Speaker - Ms Laura Dunkel, Age Scotland

Rotary Diary Item - J&G Friday 29th August 14

 

On Thursday 21st August the speaker at the Rotary Club of South Queensferry was Laura Dunkel, community development officer for Age Scotland.  Formed in 2009 by a merger of Age Concern and help the Aged, Age Scotland is the largest charity dedicated to improving later life.  With a mission to inspire, engage and support, Age Scotland is deeply involved in a range of activities to benefit the increasingly ageing population. as well as organising and assisting local support networks, Age Scotland seeks to change public attitudes to older people which are frequently negative. As an example, Laura cited birthday cards for later years which are almost invariably humorous or even derogatory. Studies have shown that social isolation is now a bigger killer among older people than smoking. To promote its aims, Age Scotland regularly advises and lobbies the Scottish Government. It is now also a member of Silver Line, an initiative started by Esther Rantzen to provide a twenty-four-hour telephone advice and befriending service. Older men are notoriously difficult to reach. A particularly interesting scheme designed to engage their interests and encourage social contact is 'Men's' Sheds', where a network of self-funded workshops provides an environment where men can meet and work on a variety of personal or joint projects using skills from their working days. Laura's talk prompted many questions from the floor not all from older members of the club.