DGSF partner with Keeping Warm Project
DGSF gets seat on Older Peoples Consultative Forum
Representation
Information
Empowerment
Dumfries and Galloway Seniors Forum
Are you over 50?
Do you think YOU deserve a voice?
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At last year’s AGM members ratified a plan which sought to concentrate on three main activities: representation; information and participation. Below is a brief update on progress:
REPRESENTATION: At national level DGSF represent you on the Older Peoples Consultative Forum (see latest news) where we table your views directly to the minister for older people, Shona Robison.
At local level, several members have given much of their time to sitting on various groups and committees which are linked to community planning and health. Wherever possible, the Forum sends representatives to take part in local initiatives, to try and ensure that the older person’s viewpoint is heard. Further details can be found under activities.
INFORMATION: Through our office in Dumfries, over 270 people a year have received answers to queries, been given relevant literature, or have been guided to appropriate services to get support. Information has been provided on a wide variety of topics from getting help with digital TV, to where to hire a mobility scooter. Concerns about tax codes, pension credit and rising fuel bills have been alleviated, by our part-time staff member, when he assures people that if he can’t provide the answers, he knows a man who can! This service is not limited to members only and most people who visit are not in fact members. However, we naturally encourage them to join us, to show their support for what we are doing.
We have attempted to include practical information, as well as changes to legislation etc., in our newsletters, as well as updating our website for those internet users amongst you. Where local members have agreed to act as “secretaries” we have continued to send information out, in the knowledge that they try to pass it on, even if only verbally, to local members and local older people’s groups.
EMPOWERMENT: We are open to supporting participation from local members wherever they have sufficient volunteers to operate local meetings, and we have continued to try and encourage members to do so. Lack of new volunteers to form local branch committees is hampering this initiative, as well as severe difficulty in attracting suitable funding.
On the other hand, we are much encouraged by the strong response from supporting members who have taken part in two questionnaires (D & G Housing Partnership and DGSF’s own survey). This confirms the trend in our DGSF survey that many members are either not interested in attending meetings or are perhaps unable to do so – but that they ARE interested in letting us know how they feel. We hope to give you more opportunities to participate in such initiatives as it is definitely one way you can show the decision makers that you do have a voice
Our Mission
We exist to support and represent the population of senior citizens in Dumfries and Galloway, especially in relation to their welfare and well-being, as they live, work, retire and enjoy life across our region.
We believe that amongst all those people aged over fifty in Dumfries and Galloway there are many who are willing to make valuable contributions to the quality of life of their communities, benefiting others as well as themselves - bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge, awareness of issues or concerns, often identifying specific needs, frequently getting involved and participating in purposeful and sociable activities.