West Lothian Council delivers

Senior People's Forum

 

West Lothian Senior People's Forum (previously known as the Older People's Forum) was launched on 5th November 2009 with over 50 older people from throughout West Lothian in attendance. 

The purpose of the forum is to provide an opportunity for the Council and local senior people to act in partnership in reviewing and addressing the future challenges we jointly face. In particular, the forum will:

• seek to identify and harness the experience, opinions and desires of senior people offering them an opportunity to express their views on a wide range of issues
• enable communication to be established and maintained between local senior people, the Council and its community planning partners
• enable the Council to consult senior people on its approach in developing local responses to the Scottish Strategy for an Ageing Population
• help support organisations which represent senior people

Danny Logue is now Chair of the Senior People's Forum with Jim Dixon having been appointed Vice Chair.

Next meeting:  

• 11th June 2013 from 1.00pm to 4.00pm.
• Space 3 at the Howden Park Centre, Livingston.

Senior people and organisations which have an interest or who represent senior people are invited to attend and contribute to the discussions. Please email any suggestions for inclusion to seniorpeoplesforum@westlothian.gov.uk

Challenge Fund

The Challenge Fund was set up by West Lothian CHCP to provide funding to support the initial development of new initiatives or ideas that will improve the wellbeing and opportunities available to vulnerable adults (inclusive of older people) living in West Lothian.

Applications are invited from a wide range of areas and, to apply, interested parties should read the associated Criteria for Accessing the Challenge Fund document and complete the Challenge Fund Application Form as fully as possible. Both the criteria document and the application form can be downloaded from the section at the foot of this webpage.

Dementia Cafes

Thanks to the Challenge Fund, work is now taking place to support the development of up to nine dementia cafes throughout West Lothian. These cafes are being developed to be of benefit to those living in the community with dementia as well as their carers.

Each cafe is likely to be slightly different, however all have the same purpose in mind which is to provide an opportunity for those with dementia, and their carer where they have one, to come along, relax, socialise and, if they wish, participate in activities and entertainment as well as access information, support and advice.

So, whether you want to attend for a few hours or just drop in for a coffee and a chat with someone it is worth going along to check out what's on offer at your nearest dementia cafe.

Dementia cafes are currently operating in the following locations:

• Whitburn - Dementia Cafe at Answer House, Reveston Lane on the second Tuesday of the month, 2.00pm - 3.15pm (lunch club available). Contact Evelyn Ralston on 01506 632659.
• Uphall - Dementia Cafe at St.Andrews Care Home, St.Andrews Court, 20 Hawthorn Place on the fourth Tuesday of the month, 11.00am - 2.00pm (includes lunch).
• Linlithgow - Linlithgow Dementia Cafe at The Lowport Centre on the third Wednesday of the month, 10.00am - 12.00pm (lunch is available at the Lowport Centre cafe at a small charge). Contact Pauline or May on 01506 845137. 
• Livingston - Cafe Connect Extra at Dedridge Baptist Church, Quentin Rise, Dedridge on the first Wednesday of the month, 2.00pm - 3.30pm. Contact Ken Brown on 01506 491542.
• Fauldhouse - The Sunlight Cafe, Fauldhouse Development Trust, 10 Main Street, Fauldhouse on the fourth Thursday of every month, 11.30am - 1.30pm. A light lunch available. Contact Julie Smith on 01501 773699.

Additional cafes will be opening in other locations and we will update the above information as and when they are due to open.

New service for lesbian gay bisexual and transgender older people in West Lothian

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Centre for Health and Wellbeing have recently launched a new service aimed specifically at supporting those over 50 years of age, including offering:

• Social opportunities, outings and events to improve social networks
• A volunteer befriending service scheme providing one to one support
• An information service covering a range of topics, including mainstream support and services, housing and legal matters
• An advocacy service to offer individuals support in dealing with issues such as accessing health and social care services or challenging discrimination.

This service is available at no cost to any older person living within West Lothian. For further information or if you have any questions relating to this service contact Garry McGregor on 0131 523 1107 or alternatively email at garry@lgbthealth.org.uk 

Pensioner Income Maximisation Service

The council has a dedicated team to offer assistance and advice on all types of benefits income to people aged 60 and over. For further details please refer to the leaflets in the Downloadable Documents section below, alternatively please contact the West Lothian Advice Shop:

The Advice Shop
Bathgate Partnership Centre
Lindsay House
South Bridge Street
Bathgate
EH48 1TS
Tel: 01506 283000
email: advice.shop@westlothian.gov.uk

The Food Train

We are delighted to be able to advise that the Food Train is now up and running across West Lothian. This shopping and delivery service is available to those aged 65 plus who, due to frailty or illness, are unable to shop for themselves.

As demand for the service grows, volunteers are still being sought so if you have some spare time and would like to assist please contact 01506 654360. 

Requests for the shopping service may also be made using the same telephone number during normal office hours, 10.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Improved Access to Insurance for Older People

It is about to become easier for older people to get motor and travel insurance because of an agreement between the Association of British Insurers, the Government and the British Insurance Brokers Association.

From the 6th of April 2012, if an insurer or broker is unable to offer cover to an older motorist or traveller due to their age being above the limit they have cover for, they will automatically refer them to another provider who can meet their needs or to a dedicated signposting service such as the "Find a Broker" service.

Use of the Blue Badge Scheme

A consultation exercise is currently being undertaken in relation to a Bill which is due to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament entitled Disabled Person's Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill. The intended purpose being to strengthen current law to allow for better enforcement of the Blue Badge Scheme.

The Bill/Consultation Papers, as well as details of how to submit your response, can be obtained via the Scottish Parliament website - see direct link at the right of this webpage. Please note that responses require to be submitted before the 20th March 2013. 

 

updated: 26/03/13