North Ayrshire Council Conference Success Empowers Older Voices

People met at Saltcoats Town Hall recently. The council and local older folks planned it. The meeting was about North Ayrshire’s plan to ensure older voices are heard and respected, helping shape the council’s work. They also discussed climate change’s effect, emphasizing that nobody should be excluded from the plan.

Anthea Dickson spoke about community groups, seeing their great work firsthand. They fight isolation with fun activities, bringing older people together, and strengthening bonds to create friendships. She thinks volunteers are truly vital, giving time to help their community.

Volunteers improve the lives of others and make the community better for all. Dickson thanked everyone for their contributions and noted their hard work all year. The conference included group talks, lunch, and discussions about the past year’s successes and important climate change issues.

The council supports older adults through the Older People’s Voice Strategy, which includes a network and an executive council. The conference supported older people too, helping them share concerns so they can be heard on policy and service changes.

Groups like Irvine Seniors’ Forum, Age Well Kilbirnie, and Kilwinning u3a attended, along with Watt Gardens Residents Group. Council leader Marie Burns admires the residents and is proud of their important community work, which impacts life in North Ayrshire.

Burns believes older adults must speak up at a local level; their efforts, knowledge, and energy matter greatly. The council wants their views to matter and will put them to work when policies get created.