News / Older people’s assembly
SHETLAND’s older folk are being invited to make their voices heard at an assembly next week.
As part of the run up to the 7th Scottish Older People’s Assembly (SOPA) to take place in the Scottish Parliament on 31 October, a two hour meeting is being held in Lerwick Town Hall at 2pm on 26 September.
Supported by Voluntary Action Shetland, the meeting will give local people the chance to speak up about what support they want for older people in Scotland.
SOPA chair Tom Berney said: “It is important the older people of Shetland make their voice heard. This forum will deal with many important issues.”
He added that it was important that politicians and communities recognised the contribution older people make to society and their community.
“That is why Shona Robison, the minister for pensioners rights, has asked us to discuss and comment on possible future policies.
“We have a fantastic opportunity to be integrated into policy making and influence it,” he said.
The top topics for the 2014 Assembly are set to be fuel poverty, isolation and loneliness, standards of care and pensions, however the issues raised at local meetings like the one in Shetland will also shape the agenda.
To book a place at Friday’s meeting, contact Kate Massie at reception@shetland.org or by calling 01595 743900.
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