Age Scotland Conversations

Age Scotland has long held the view that older people need an independent commissioner to stand up for their rights and tackle the injustices they face. In this episode, Age Scotland's Jo McGilvray and Adam Stachura talk to Colin Smyth, who is a Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament for the South of Scotland and has taken this forward by launching a public consultation into establishing an older people's commissioner.

A Commissioner would be appointed by the Scottish Parliament to act independently from the Scottish Government to protect the rights of older people. They would have scope to focus on a range of issues that are important to older people - for example highlighting ageism and age discrimination, ensuring access to services including health and social care, tackling poverty, and challenging digital exclusion.

Public support for an older people's commissioner in Scotland is very high with 7 in 10 younger people supporting it, and 80% of those over 50 want to see the role created.

It's Burns Night. Often with a dram in hand, and a plate piled high with haggis, neeps and tatties, the works of the famous Scottish bard Robert Burns have been celebrated and commemorated for the last 222 years.

But have you ever heard Burns in Bengali or Hindi? 

In this episode, we have a special performance from Savita Purran and Herman Rodrigues of "Ye Banks an' Braes o' Bonnie Doon", written by Burns in 1791, sung in English, Bengali and Hindi. 

Caring for a family member or friend can be rewarding and fulfilling. It can also be stressful and exhausting.

This Carers Week, Age Scotland's Dementia Training Officer Rachel Davison speaks with Michael, who cares for his wife, about their life together, the impact of caring and his wife's illness, and how their lives have changed.

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Age Scotland's Dementia Training team has launched new a new self-study platform for carers of people living with dementia. We know that attending sessions at set times can prove difficult for people due to their unpredictable caring commitments.

This new self-study platform will allow carers to learn about their rights when it is convenient to them and without time constraints.

Registrations for the first self-study modules open and access to course contents will be available from Wednesday 16 June.

Do you know about your rights as a carer? 

This Carers Week, Age Scotland's Dementia Training Officer Rachel Davison speaks with Nikki, who cares for her mum, about accessing her rights, what can be done to improve the experience of being a carer, and advice to others.

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Age Scotland's Dementia Training team has launched new a new self-study platform for carers of people living with dementia. We know that attending sessions at set times can prove difficult for people due to their unpredictable caring commitments.

This new self-study platform will allow carers to learn about their rights when it is convenient to them and without time constraints.

Registrations for the first self-study modules open and access to course contents will be available from Wednesday 16 June. 

To register, please follow the links below or email dementiatraining@agescotland.org.uk