Still breathing: time for television to grow up.
I cannot be the only person who has had a life-long fascination with television. I can still remember the first time we got a colour television at home which like […]
Service at the heart of remembrance: a reflection.
Today is Remembrance Day and with current global events there is an added poignancy and relevance to a day which focuses on remembering those who sacrificed their lives for others […]
It’s time to imagine better: making a new social care reality happen.
I have been through in Edinburgh a fair bit this week and on one day found that I had a lunchtime hour to spare on Princes Street – I then […]
When a plan prepares for failure: the crisis of social care in Scotland
When a plan prepares for failure: the crisis of social care. We are all of us used to the art of planning. Whilst there are occasions and moments in our […]
Knotted words : stammering love. A reflection
I’ve been spending the last few days in Skye where as many of you know my family originally came from and where I still have close relatives. It is always […]
Before the dawn: anticipating loss.
In just under a month on the 1st November the working group which published Scotland’s Bereavement Charter for Adults and Children will be holding a webinar entitled ‘The Space Between: […]
Homeless in older age.
This coming Tuesday (10th October) is World Homeless Day. It is also a day on which for some time World Mental Health Day has been held. The occurrence of both […]
A place to belong: ageing at home. A reflection for the International Day of Older Persons.
Whenever I am with a group of people who come from outside Scotland one of the commonest questions I get asked – as I am sure we all do – […]
Inclusion happens when you use your hands: a reflection.
I have been thinking a lot in the past week about inclusion and what really makes people feel that they belong, are valued, heard and taken seriously. I am fortunate […]
Give me your hand: the season for dementia priority.
I’ve been thinking a lot about dementia this past week in no small part because Thursday (21st) is World Alzheimer Day which is an annual opportunity for the global community […]
The alienation of older age: the time of older age has come.
I am writing this a few hours after the end of the Global Ageing Conference which has been taking place in Glasgow over the last few days. The event was […]
A waiting game of disrespect: a summer of failure.
Next week brings the return of the parliamentary process in both Scotland and Westminster. Our MSPs will come back together after a summer of book festivals, talk shows and podcasts […]
The ageing of design: beyond functionalist benefit.
I am sure I am not the only person who is fascinated by the worlds of art and design. I have always admired and appreciated the skills of individuals who […]
How ready for Winter are we? An Autumn reflection.
My late mother used to say that the seasons changed when the schools went back. With the passage of time, I have come to realise the truthfulness of such observation […]
Ageing is for all ages: a reflection.
I was chatting to my 9-year-old daughter the other day about the Global Ageing conference and events which are coming to Glasgow in a few weeks. She turned to me […]
A horizon beyond our own.
I read recently that both because of the cost-of-living crisis but significantly because of the severe environmental changes which we have witnessed across Europe this year that the way in […]
The power of friendship.
Tomorrow is International Day of Friendship which was created over a decade ago by the United Nations to underline the critical importance of friendship to human well-being and to society. […]
Time to Talk: the power of listening.
In two days’ time on the 24 July, it is Samaritans Awareness Day. The very nature and heart of the Samaritans is the fact that they are there to listen […]
Summer-time blues: seasonal affected disorder.
In one of those calendar quirks today the 15th July happens to be St Swithin’s Day and also the first Saturday of the Glasgow Fair. St Swithin’s Day as many […]