Edinburgh networking group wins Age Scotland award

A health and welfare organisation offering a wide range of services to older South Asian and ethnic minority people in Edinburgh has won Age Scotland’s Services to Older People award.

Networking Key Services (NKS) Limited provides everything from yoga classes, technology support and benefits information to sessions on bereavement, domestic abuse and women’s health issues.

Organisers say that NKS exists to empower older people in South Asian and ethnic minority communities in Edinburgh with information, knowledge and support.

Some of the groups within the organisation developed out of a need identified by the members, such as the women only group which allows women to speak freely about deeply personal issues which they would find difficult to discuss in the presence of men. One member said the help and support they get from other older women is ‘amazing’.

The organisation also offers group outings twice a year, sessions on self-management of long term health conditions, befriending services, financial advice and work with a cab service to pick up and drop off members.

There is a group for those living with dementia and their carers, which shares information, advice and friendship. And NKS is raising awareness of autism, a condition that organisers say is relatively unknown among the older people in South Asian communities.  

One of the greatest benefits members talk about is how NKS makes them feel less alone and isolated. Getting together for a hot lunch as well as the sessions provided has brought older members of the South Asian and ethnic minority communities closer, with even those who are housebound able to take part in many events online.

Holding events online began for NKS, as it did for many organisations, during the Covid pandemic. NKS organised one to one sessions, with multi-lingual staff, to offer tech support to members, allowing them to use their devices to connect with others. For some gathering online is still they way they stay involved.

One member said:

“NKS is my lifeline. Wonder what I would do without their support. They are so helpful and respectful towards older people”.

Naina Minhas, director of NKS, said:

“We are delighted to have been honoured with the Age Scotland award for our dedicated services to South Asian older people. This award recognises the commitment and hard work we have put into supporting the wellbeing, dignity, and inclusion of older people from the South Asian community.  The recognition motivates us further to make a meaningful difference to the lives of older people.

“NKS has been connecting and engaging with South Asian communities for nearly four decades and has developed as one of the leading organisations serving the most hard to reach families.  

“Winning this award is a testament to our organisation's unwavering support to older people in our local communities providing culturally sensitive, person-centred services. For many older people within the South Asian community, accessing support that that caters for their language, traditions, and values is crucial to maintaining their independence and dignity. We are proud to be an organisation that not only understands these needs but actively strives to meet them every day.

“We would like to extend our deepest thanks to all of our staff, volunteers, and partners who have contributed to this achievement.”

Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said:

“I am delighted to present the Services to Older People award to the very impressive Networking Key Services organisation.

“NKS offers an impressively diverse range of services to older members of the South Asian and ethnic minority communities in Edinburgh, providing important information, knowledge and support as well as reducing loneliness and isolation.

“The connections forged among the members plays a significant role in helping older people from South Asian and ethnic minority communities feel empowered and live well as they age.

“Many congratulations to everyone involved in NKS for all their hard work and the example they provide to us all. They are very worthy winners of the Services for Older People award.”