Policymakers and community developers are to discuss ways of improving the quality of life for older people at an international conference at the University of Glasgow’s Dumfries Campus in September.

‘O4O: Older People for Older People’ is an initiative within the EU Northern Periphery Programme, led by the Centre for Rural Health, UHI Millennium Institute, and funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and others. The initiative aims to meet the challenges presented by an ageing population in remote and rural areas of Northern Europe.

O4O develops links with communities to identify what would help older people to continue living healthily and happily in their homes and communities and works with communities to develop sustainable organisations to meet their needs. This might involve establishing social enterprises (non-profit ‘businesses’) or social organisations such as co-operative groups to support community initiatives - for example, transport, supported housing, meals, help around the house, odd jobs or simply someone calling in regularly to say ‘hello’.

Dr Carol Hill, Director of the Crichton Centre for Research in Health and Social Issues said: “O4O presents positive opportunities but it can be challenging for small, rural communities to find volunteers, enterprising ‘spirit’ and other resources, and to overcome bureaucracy to build social organisations. 

“At the same time, working with O4Os, communities and social organisations can present challenges for mainstream service providers and voluntary organisations; for example, how to contract with and collaborate with social enterprises.”

The Future is Older conference on 8 and 9 September 2009 is hosted by the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Research in Health and Social Issues based on the University’s Dumfries campus. The conference is for policymakers, health and social care practitioners, community developers, NHS and local authority managers, the voluntary and social enterprise sectors, regional development agencies, academics and for communities. 

Speakers include: Mr Jim Mather (Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism); Professor Peter Oberg (University of Gavle, Sweden); David Manion (CEO Age Concern and Help the Aged, Scotland); Dr John Beard (World Health Organisation); Jamie Bartlett (DEMOS); Anne MacDonald (Highlands and Islands Enterprise); Dr Derek Cox (Director of Public Health); Dame Joan Harbison (Older People’s Advocate, N. Ireland): Elaine Murray (MSP); Jon King (Head of Operations, Community Care, Highland Council); Eveliina Poyhonen (Manager, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki).

To book a place at the conference contact: Phillipa McNeill, Dumfries Campus on p.mcneill@crichton.gla.ac.uk or 01387 702131.

Further information:
Martin Shannon, Media Relations Officer
University of Glasgow Tel: 0141 330 8593

First published: 15 July 2009

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