Age Scotland welcomes newest Older People's Champion in Clackmannanshire

Age Scotland has welcomed the new Older People’s Champion in Clackmannanshire, with more than half of Scottish local authorities now having the role.

Clackmannanshire Council approved a motion appointing Councillor Jane McTaggart as its first ever Champion last week. Her appointment takes the number holding the role in Scotland to 17 – just past the halfway milestone .
The charity is now calling for the remainder of the 32 local authorities to consider appointing a dedicated councillor to stand up for older people’s interests.

It launched a joint campaign with the Scottish Older People’s Assembly earlier this year. With a growing older population, it is vital that older people have their full say in local decision making.

Older People’s Champions have already made a huge difference on issues ranging from transport to leisure facilities, as well as ensuring older people had the support they needed during the pandemic. The role is unpaid, meaning it does not add to budgetary pressure on local authorities.

Since March, the number of local authorities with champions has almost doubled from 9 to 17.

Adam Stachura, Age Scotland’s Head of Policy, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Cllr Jane McTaggart as Scotland’s newest Older People’s Champion. I’m sure she will do a fantastic job standing up for older people in the Wee County and ensuring they have a strong voice.

“There’s never been a greater need to ensure that older people’s views are represented, and they can play a full part in their communities. Scotland’s population is ageing fast than the rest of the UK, and Clackmannanshire has seen a steep increase in the number of people aged 65 and over in recent years.

“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the lives of many older people, both in terms of physical health and soaring levels of loneliness and isolation. As we look to the recovery, it’s vital that the Older People’s Champion ensures that those affected are not forgotten about and get all the support they need.

“Cllr McTaggart’s appointment also means that more than half of Scotland’s local authorities now have an Older People’s Champion. It’s wonderful to see the growing support for this important role, and we can already see the difference that Champions are making across the country.

“We’d like to see the remaining councils follow Clackmananshire’s example and appoint a dedicated councillor to stand up for older people’s interests. They are a vital link between the local authority and older residents, identifying the issues that matter to them and amplifying their voices within the council chamber.”

A spokesperson for SOPA added: "“SOPA is delighted to hear that Clackmannanshire has appointed an Older People's Champion, joining 16 other Councils across Scotland, to ensure that the voices of older people are considered in decisions being made that affect them.

"We have been heartened by the response to our joint campaign with Age Scotland, with many Councils recognising that now more than ever, the views of older people must be heard. We look forward to supporting the Champions to come together, share their experiences and ideas for engaging older people and tackling issues that will improve the lives of older people.”