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Provided by Mae Stewart, Editor UNISON Retired
members Newsletter, Dundee, Perth and Angus. Please note
that this is not definitive information about benefits but will
provide a signpost as to where to get up to date information.
Please check the sources first. UNISON Scotland can take no responsibility
for information that may be outdated or inaccurate.
Issue 5 July 2003top
| Information & Resources Index Are
You Over 50? A new Scottish version of a practical guide for the
over 50s has been produced by the Department for Work and Pensions in conjunction
with the Scottish Executive. ‘Are You Over 50? - Scotland' is a practical
guide to advice, support and services across government on a number of issues
such as work, money, healthy living, learning and training. For a copy telephone: 0845
6 022 260 [local rate] please ask for the Scottish version of ‘Are
You Over 50?' A service for textphone users is also available on; 0845
6 055 560. The guide is also available on the internet at: www.over50.gov.uk/Scotland Look
out too for the ‘Pensioners' Guide - Scotland' which gives more detailed information
about extra money in retirement. It also gives information about leisure
opportunities, housing and home improvements, transport, legal services, and dealing
with crime. Telephone: 0845 6 065 065 [local rate] for a copy or
visit the website at: www.info4pensioners.gov.uk/index_sc.htm top
| Information & Resources Index Over 60
and Travel By Bus?Men aged 60 - 64 can now get the same concessionary
travel benefits previously offered to men over 65 and over, and women over 60. For
information on how to obtain a concessionary travel card and details of the scheme
operating in your area, please contact your local authority or travel off top
| Information & Resources Index Accident
Prevention RoSPA - Royal Society for the Prevention of AccidentsOur
homes may feel like the safest place to be but they can often contain hidden dangers.
Home accidents account for 40% of all fatal accidents, in fact the account for
around 300 deaths in Scotland each year. It is also estimated that around
1000 people every day will seek medical attention for an injury they have received
in the so-called safety of their own homes Some older people can be at increased
risk, however everyone can benefit from making their home a safer place to live
in. Almost all accidents are preventable through following some practical
and affordable measures. For further information visit the RoSPA website
at www.rospa.co.uk Or contact: The
Home Safety Department RoSPA Scotland
Slateford
House
53 Lanark Road
Edinburgh - EH14 1TL
Housing Associations Reach out to Black and Ethnic Older people
Actor Saeed Jaffrey, OBE, recently joined with the Hanover, Bield and Kirk
Care Housing Associations to develop and launch a 30 minute video, designed to
ensure the inclusion of older people from the black and minority ethnic [MBE]
communities in accessing sheltered housing. The event was supported by the Commission
for Racial Equality. Rohini Sharma [Housing, Equal Opportunities Officer.
Hanover, Kirk Care, and Bield Housing Associations] commented; ‘With the
cultural emphasis on the importance of family and the considerable respect given
to older people in the BME communities, there can be a stigma of moving into sheltered
housing. The video will go a long way to addressing these stigmas and ensure older
people in Scotland's BME communities are not excluded from a housing resource
which could offer them independence, security, companionship and dignity in their
old age. For further information contact Rohini Sharma on 0131 225 7246
[national rate] or e-mail at: rsharma@kirkcare.co.uk top
| Information & Resources Index Direct
Payments ScotlandDo you know that if you suffer from a disability
and require community care services you can ask your local authority for direct
payments and arrange the services yourself? Using direct payments can give
you more choice, control, and flexibility over the way you receive every day services
and help you increase your independence. A direct payment is money paid
by a local authority directly to a person whom it has assessed as needing community
care services. The person then uses the payment to purchase the agreed services.
This could mean contracting with an agency or employing your own personal assistant. 2003
is a ‘big' year for direct payments. From 1st June 2003 local authorities
in Scotland will no longer be able to chose whether or not to make direct payments
available, instead, they will be required to offer them to all eligible people. Furthermore
in 2004 they will become more widely available when anyone who requires community
care services, not only disabled people, will become eligible to be considered
for direct payments. This means that people who need services because they are
frail or are recovering from an accident or If you would like more information
about direct payments you should contact your local social work office. Alternatively,
Direct Payments Scotland has been set up by the Scottish Executive to help promote
direct payments and can offer help. Telephone: 0131 558 3450 [national
rate] Website: www.dpscotland.org.uk top
| Information & Resources Index U3AThe
University of the Third Age [U3A] will be celebrating its 21st anniversary
this year. There are now 15 U3As in Scotland, from Nairn to Dumfries. The
term university is somewhat misleading in that U3A is not an institution but a
self-help voluntary educational co-operative committed to lifelong learning. Members
[not students] tutor and help each other in a wide range of subjects at a low
cost. It uses the term ‘university' in its ancient meaning as a ‘community of
scholars'. U3A defines the ‘third age' as coming after the ‘first age' of
youthful growth and education and the ‘second age' of maturity and career and/or
home-making. For many members, the ‘third age' comes with retirement, but for
others it is the end of full time employment. A typical U3A will offer study
groups on languages, art, local history, books, creative writing, and so on. The
list is limited only by the resources and imagination of the membership. While
expertise is needed for some subjects, for others the learning is a shared experience
with members taking responsibility for researching and presenting the subject. Each
U3A is an independent unit, but is overseen by the Third Age Trust which provides,
through a nationally represented board, support services, including resources,
conferences and summer schools. For information contact U3A's Scottish representative
Karen Cannon on: 01738 840606 [national rate] or visit the website at:
www.u3a.org.uk top
| Information & Resources Index Age Concern
ScotlandChanges in to Pensions Payments MethodsAge
Concern Scotland have prepared an information leaflet on the changes to pensions
payment to older people. This is available from Age Concern Scotland by calling; 0131
220 3345 [national rate]. You can also get a copy by contacting your
local Age Concern Group [address in telephone book] or from Age Concern website
at; www.ageconcernscotland.org.uk Mae
Stewart top | Information
& Resources Index | 
|
Scotland's
public service union