Colleagues working in the Connected Communities service recently hosted a successful Older People’s Conference at Saltcoats Town Hall.
The event is jointly planned and hosted by our Community Learning and Development team in partnership with Locality Workers and older residents across the six localities to encourage as many people as possible to have a voice.
The aim of the day was to invite older residents to come together to share ideas and opinions – and speak up on matters that are important to them.
Community Development Workers Garry Tait, Gavin Ferguson and Graham Hunter spoke at the event alongside Angela Morrell, Senior Manager for Community Development within the Connected Communities service while David Hammond, Head of Service for Communities and Housing also attended.
The conference, held on 14 February, is a key part of our Participation Strategy and this year’s themes were:
- ensuring older people’s voices are heard, actioned and respected
- helping shape the work of the council
- the impact of climate change and
- ensuring no one is left behind.
It was an honour to speak at the event, along with Provost Anthea Dickson, and it was heartening to see so many of our older residents taking the time to come along, get involved and have their say.It is important to recognise the industry, drive and energy older people bring to life in North Ayrshire. Their knowledge sharing, effort when it comes to things like volunteering and commitment to improving life in their communities is outstanding.
It is important for older people to raise their voices at Locality level – and to raise them with confidence. They are the backbone of our communities.”
Angela Morrell, Senior Manager for Community Development
To find out more about what activities and events are happening in your community, please email your Locality team on the email addresses below.
- Kilwinning and North Coast – kilwnclocality@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
- Three Towns – 3townslocality@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
- Garnock Valley – garnockvalleylocality@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
- Irvine:irvinelocailtyteam@northayrshire.gov.uk
- Arran – Go to the Arran CVS website at www.arrancvs.org.uk or email info@arrancvs.org.uk
Locality group discussions were held on a range of matters, attendees had lunch, there were conversations around what has worked well over the past year and there was a talk on climate change.
The Council’s Older People’s Voice Participation Strategy – made up the Older People’s Voice Network, Executive Older People’s Council and the Conference – is in place to help support older people.
It provides ways for elderly communities to raise issues and ensure they feel heard when it comes to the planning and delivery of Council policies and services.
Organisations that were represented at Saltcoats Town included Irvine Seniors’ Forum, Three Towns Discovery Group, Age Well in West Kilbride, Kilbirnie and Glengarnock Age Concern, Kilwinning u3a and Watt Gardens Residents Group in Dalry.
Angela added: “I would like to offer a massive ‘thank you’ to all Council staff in the Connected Communities service who helped to arrange the Conference and also those who came along on the day and hosted information stands.”