The group that will make sure older LGBT+ people in Scotland are heard and represented

Formerly called Age Reference Group (ARG), the Age Action Group hosts LGBT+ people aged 50 and over, who come together to explore the issues affecting us as we age. It is a platform for the voices of older LGBT+ people who often remain invisible from ageing conversations, but also within the wider LGBT+ community.

The Age Action group recently a strategy day in our offices at Duncan Place. We met to review the group’s strategy and progress the work we have been doing. Currently we are working on influencing Housing and Social Care for older LGBT+ community members. Recently, we received praise from a Scottish Government representative for the informed and passionate work we did in contributing to an in-person consultation on The Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Policy for Older People. After initially meeting online, the group is now meeting in-person which is likely to continue, though some smaller group meetings may take place online. Travel expenses are available.

We want the group to be as diverse as possible and are also keen to attract members from rural Scotland. If you are interesting in joining the group, and want to have a chat about what commitment you would need to make or just come along to one meeting to get an idea of how it works, please get in touch.

We are looking for:

• Active members to participate in the group and represent the interests of the older LGBT+ community across Scotland
• Time and commitment to attend 8 meetings a year (in-person and online) plus smaller group work
• Your help in ensuring that we are listened to by decision-makers, service providers and other Age organisations

The group will themselves decide the issues that they want to work on but early discussions with potential group members have highlighted a need to look at social care, housing provision, digital exclusion and rural isolation.

The group will also decide how best to present the work they carry out and will be helped by a Development Worker and sessional staff from LGBT Health and Wellbeing. There are many methods available to present those views and suggestions so far include in-person representation and lobbying, producing information packs, the use of social media and making short films. We can help develop skills, such as making presentations, public speaking to other organisations and statutory bodies and in finding creative ways to get our message across.

Now more than ever older LGBT people need to make sure that our views are considered, listened to and acted upon. If you think you can help represent the views of the wider LGBT+ community, please contact Keith (he/him):
 keith@lgbthealth.org.uk
0131 564 3972