Introduction to Membership
Age Concern Scotland and Help the Aged in Scotland have joined together to form a single new charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people. Our vision is a Scotland where "all older people are valued, respected and participate in society as active and equal citizens, where ageing alone is not a barrier to a fulfilling and enjoyable life." The realization of this vision will be where all older people's groups in Scotland are able to join us and contribute to the overall strength of older people in Scotland. We also want Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland to support the development of strong and vibrant local older people's groups.
Many local older people's groups do not have the resources or capacity to support the aspirations of their members, or enable older people's voices to be heard. The infrastructure supporting the older people's movement in Scotland is also very under-developed and under-funded. As a result of both these factors, older people collectively, through the organisations representing them, often do not exercise the influence they could or achieve many of their aspirations for later life. We envisage devoting more of our resources and the time of our staff to helping local older people's groups become stronger.
The age and ageing social policy is relevant to many current political and public policy priorities which include discrimination and inequality; social, physical, mental and financial wellbeing; opportunities for all citizens; and safe and sustainable communities. "All Our Futures - a plan for a Scotland with an ageing population" is helping to shape the Scottish policy agenda on age and ageing now and into the future and offers Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland unique opportunities to contribute to and influence new policy areas like employment and education.
Want to know more? Click on the About Us link.