Working in Communities
Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland works in many communities across Scotland in partnership with individual older people, older people's groups, and statutory and voluntary agencies to:
- enable older people to have a voice and to be able to influence decision-making at both a local and national level.
- ensure local services meet the needs and aspirations of older people.
- support local groups to access funds, develop services, share experiences and learn from one another.
- ensure good quality information is available in a wide variety of settings.
- promote partnership working and ensure older people's issues are kept high on the agenda, for example through Community Planning structures.
- work to reduce poverty amongst older people.
- increase the range of activties which will provide a health benefit and improve the safety, confidence, self-esteem and well-being of older people.
- identify opportunities and support communities to develop new initiatives eg inter-generational projects and rural IT projects.
- reduce the level of abuse amongst older people and ensure victims of abuse have access to appropriate local support.
The range of work varies in different areas of Scotland according to local staffing levels and circumstances.