Senior citizens’ safety event
Around 70 elderly people attended the first Senior Citizens: Staying Safe, Well and Connected event in Caol Community Centre last Friday afternoon (August 24).
Participants enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea along with a side-serving of helpful information and advice.
Highland Council tenant participation officer Karin McKay worked in partnership with Lochaber and District Lunch Club and Highland Senior Citizens’ Network to pull together a wide-ranging, interesting programme.
Karin was delighted with the response to this first attempt at holding an event. She said: ‘We wanted it to be attractive to local senior citizens, giving them both the opportunity to come together socially and to pick up relevant information from services and clubs. Thanks to everyone for coming along and making this happen.’
Several attendees took up the opportunity to try out the lunch club’s delicious fare.
Linda Campbell, of Caol Regeneration, who supports the lunch club committee, encouraged everyone to spread the word about this valuable service.
‘Our lunch club is open to all, to any age group, Monday to Friday of each week, providing company and a two-course meal at £5, which is good value,’ she said. ‘The more people who support it, the more enjoyable it becomes for everyone attending.’
The centre and lunch club staff and volunteers put a tremendous amount of work into making the day successful, while Lochaber Action on Disability and Lochaber Community Car Scheme did a sterling job in transporting folk. All received glowing praise for their efforts.
Councillor Dennis Rixson opened the afternoon, congratulating everyone on bringing together an excellent event combining enjoyment and information.
PC Katy Duncan, preventions and interventions officer with Police Scotland, outlined how to avoid being a victim of doorstep callers and bogus workmen. Colleagues from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service gave good advice on fire safety, and urged anyone who needed a free home fire safety check to get in touch. The Libertie Project advised on how they could support people to save money by switching services online. Sam O’ Connor of Scottish and Southern Energy urged attendees to sign up to the Priority Services Register.
Following the afternoon tea, Jamie Noble of Home Energy Scotland explained their role in helping older people improve energy efficiency.
Jo Cowan, Highland senior citizens network co-ordinator, introduced short ‘pitches’ from some of the stallholders and attendees: Care Lochaber Community Car Scheme, Tuesday Social Club, Connecting Carers Carer Liaison Worker, Step It Up Highland Health Walks, Lochaber Sensory Care services and social events from Ewen’s Room.
Jo also mentioned some other groups that aim to keep people active and connected, including Talk Lochaber Talking Newspaper, Lochaber Young At Heart, Fort William Men’s Shed and Friends Together.
Also giving helpful faceto-face information from stalls were NHS Highland Technology Enabled Care, Highland Council Housing Service, Highlife Highland, Lochaber Care and Repair Dementia Project and Be At Home Service.