Fairer Scotland

Older People and Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie’s letter to older people on the UN’s International Day of Older Persons

October 1, 2020 by Christina McKelvie No Comments | Category Equality

This message is coming to you on the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 30th Anniversary of the UN’s International Day of Older Persons – a day where we celebrate and recognise the importance of older people the world over!

As your Minister for Older People and Equalities celebrating Scotland’s older people is something I take huge pride in.

The last 6 months have been very difficult for everyone, and  living through an extended period when we have been unable to spend vital time with our friends and loved ones, and of course the grandchildren, has been especially challenging.

I want to say just how much I appreciate the sacrifices that all the older people in Scotland have made, and continue to make, throughout the ongoing pandemic.

I know that older people have been adversely affected by the restrictions and so we put in place a range of support measures to make life a little bit easier.

We funded a National Telephone Helpline, worked with supermarkets to allocate delivery slots, and we have provided an additional £1.6 million of funding to organisations that have directly supported older people impacted by the pandemic.

We also recognise that many older people have experienced increased feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The last six months has shown what we can achieve when we pull together. So let’s keep at it, keep going, and keep looking out for each other.

Christina McKelvie

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