You’re never too old to learn something new
Courses for seniors
A Cambuslang man has taken his desire to see more older people get involved in lifelong learning all the way to Westminster.
John Parkhill, 66, was part of a delegation from the Senior Older People’s Assembly ( SOPA) that headed to London to highlight their work.
After taking a number of courses at the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Lifelong Learning, John volunteered with the Learning in Later Life Senior Students’ Association (3Ls).
He then became the 3Ls representative at SOPA, an assembly of organisations promoting the voice of older people in Scotland.
Among the MPs he met there was Margaret Ferrier, who was happy to drop by for a chat.
John, who has stayed in Drumsagard for 12 years, said: “Those we spoke to were very receptive.
“SOPA already has a good relationship with the government at Holyrood and they want to build that same connection with the Westminster government.
“At the time of the reception voting was going on but one or two MPs, including Margaret Ferrier, were able to get out and join us.”
John first became involved with the Centre for Lifelong Learning when he retired from his job as manager of a Glasgow-based building society.
And he reckons other older people would be well advised to follow his example.
He said: “You’ve got to keep yourself going in retirement, not just physically, but mentally. The brain is a muscle too.
“I defy anyone to tell me there isn’t a class for them or a time that suits them. There will be something, even if it’s just a subject you’ve always wanted to learn about or something practical as well, like IT courses.
“Old people are not a drain, we have got a lot to offer.”
Go to www. strath. ac. uk/ study withus/centreforlifelonglearning/ to learn more about courses on offer.