One of Scotland’s first services aimed at older gay people has been endorsed by a string of celebrities, describing it as a “service desperately needed”.
LGBT Age will tackle social exclusion and isolation through social, befriending, information and advocacy services, as part of the LGBT Centre for Health and Well-being.
Garry McGregor, LGBT age coordinator, said support for the scheme was “testament” to the need for an age-linked programme.
Glasgow Poet Laureate, Edwin Morgan OBE, said: “The most important thing now, at this age, is to see things clearly, and to discuss things openly with one person or group. This is where the LGBT Age Project will be very helpful.”
Morgan, 90, continued: “The first thing I think about, as a gay nonagenarian, is of being one hundred! On a more serious note, in my case the worst thing is mobility – or the lack of it – not being able to go out or to meet people.”
The service will provide social opportunities, outings and events to improve social networks alongside a befriending scheme with one-to-one support.
TV presenter and comedian Craig Hill said he was “full of admiration” to those who looked to assist “an area of society that sometimes feels left behind”.
“Much of the elderly community in general feels lonely with no connection to the 'real world' and can feel isolated. I think this is exacerbated if you're elderly and gay; not only do you feel that you maybe don't fit in or have anything in common with your elderly compatriots but you also feel like the younger gay community has left you behind.”
McGregor wants to tackle the concerns older gay people have over housing, the level of gay-awareness care providers have and access to health and support services.
“LGBT people are more likely to live alone and be single, but are also less likely to have children or family to call upon in times of need.
“The service will work with mainstream services to raise awareness of issues affecting older LGBT people and ensure that they receive culturally appropriate and sensitive services that welcome them and meet their needs.”
Endorsing LGBT Age, eccentric singer and songwriter Horse MacDonald said: “I feel as we begin to grow older there is the opportunity to actually grow as people. The service through experience and involvement will actually enrich lives and very possibly extend life spans.”
The scheme - available to those over 50 in Edinburgh and the Lothians – will also provide an advocacy service to offer individuals support in dealing with issues such as accessing health and social care services or challenging discrimination.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, SNP MSP for Lothians said she was “delighted” with the launch. “I believe it will indeed provide much needed support for a group that can unfortunately become isolated and feel left behind by a society racing ahead.”
