Charity welcomes new Older People’s Champion role in Angus

Angus Council has appointed its first ever Older People’s Champion.

Cllr Lynne Devine was appointed this week and will work with local people, support organisations and others to identify and address issues facing older people.

The move follows a campaign by Age Scotland, the national charity for older people, and the Scottish Older People’s Assembly (SOPA).

13 councils in Scotland have already appointed Older People’s Champions and they have already made significant changes across Scotland, including pushing for better and more accessible public transport and supporting older people’s groups and activities.

Age Scotland welcomes Angus Council’s decision to appoint its first ever Older People’s Champion, saying it will improve life for older people and ensure they have a strong voice.

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said:

“We’re absolutely delighted that Angus Council has decided to create this new role, and would like to congratulate Cllr Devine and wish her the best of luck. I’m sure that she will make a real difference to the lives of older people in Angus, standing up for their interests and ensuring their voices are heard.

“There’s never been a greater need to ensure older people can play a full part in our communities. The impact of Covid-19 on older people has highlighted the need for this role, with many struggling to cope with record levels of loneliness and isolation.

“As we look ahead to a recovery, it’s vital to ensure that those affected most are not forgotten about or excluded from local democracy.

“Across Scotland, Champions have already played a key role in pushing for improvements, from better public transport and toilet provision to supporting community groups and activities. I’ve no doubt that Cllr Devine will have a similar success in making Angus a better place for all older people.”

Cllr Lynne Devine, said:

“I feel it’s a great privilege to be voted in as the first Older People’s Champion in Angus and I’m so looking forward to meeting with older people and listening to their concerns which will help me to promote their voices to the Council.

“As restrictions applied to the pandemic begin to lift it is important that we acknowledge the impact that this prolonged global crisis has had on our older family members, friends and neighbours.

“It has been torture for so many of them, as organisations they belonged to and depended upon closed. Relatives could not visit to give succour or support and only a few older people were able to go online. Many people lost their partners during this time and have had to grieve alone.

“The isolation, which was well known about before COVID-19, has been exacerbated hugely in the last year, so this is an excellent time to agree to Age Scotland and SOPA’s campaign to have an Older People’s Champion.”

More information on Age Scotland and SOPA's campaign can be found here.