Call to put Edinburgh's older people on map

Age Scotland is inviting Edinburgh residents to join in action to ensure the city's new intake of councillors do more after the 3rd May local election to tackle the problems older people face getting out and about. 
During April and May members of the public are invited to drop into the Charity's shops in Stockbridge and on Nicolson Street, and its office on Causewayside, and put their mark on giant wall-maps of each area to highlight issues such as pavements in poor repair, dangerous road crossings and inadequate bus services.  
The Charity is inviting election candidates to follow these map routes to see for themselves the barriers older people face - and to pledge action to make it easier for older people to participate in community life.
Age Scotland campaigner Doug Anthoney says: "By taking a few moments to join in this easy to do action you can make a huge difference.  During and just after the elections is an ideal time to sign up local politicians in Edinburgh to action that will make life better for older residents."
Green Party Candidate Steve Burgess will be visiting Age Scotland's Nicholson Street shop on Monday 30th April to view the map and speak to older residents about the issues that they have identified on it.  He said: "The Council can do a lot of practical things to ensure that older people can keep getting out and about such as lowering high kerbs, ensuring enough time at pedestrian crossings and repairing pavements.  This initiative is a very useful way of highlighting the issue and hearing directly from local people what they would like to see improved in their area."
Nicholson Street shop manager Joanne Freeman says: "We're delighted to be offering customers an opportunity to have their say on how the area can be improved for older people."
Community groups across Scotland are taking part in similar Walk in our shoes, Act on our issues actions, part of Age Scotland's campaign to End Isolation for older people.
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