To find out more contact Ann Craig on 01307 468859 or email at Craiga@angus.gov.uk

Welcome to Angus Gold and our brand new website www.angusgold.com

This project is all about working with the 50plus population in Angus, and that is demonstrated in some of the work described . However there are lots of different aspects to the project and not all of them are reflected in this short article.

Angus Gold has gone from strength to strength over the last four years and has now involved over 700 people from age 50-95 years.

Whether it is learning about computers, health and wellbeing work, being involved in the Gold Forums, Seated exercise classes, Tai Chi or Drama the participants have contributed to every aspect of the development of the project.

Computer Lessons

The project tutors people in computer use, at no cost to the participant, all over Angus usually in groups of three or four in a venue that is comfortable and local to the participant. These classes are aimed at those who have no computer experience and who may have other reasons why accessing computer technology may be difficult.
For some, our classes are more than enough but others want to take it further and through our close involvement with Angus College we are able to support those learners who want to carry on learning. Even those folk who might have found this transition to college one step too far are managing to cope and enjoy these courses with support (97 in total).

Health & Wellbeing

We have a Health And Well being worker who has been working with us and our participants to support them in looking at their own health education needs and the needs of this 50plus population in general especially in relation to access to good information.

This has led to the development of a different kinds of projects and opportunities. We have supported 22 people to be trained as Senior Health Mentors. This involves two days of Ageing Well training which is free and very interesting to our participants. They in turn have been supporting our work in getting Health and Wellbeing messages across to their peers. This has resulted in different outcomes in different areas depending on what was wanted. In Letham for instance seated exercise classes run in partnership with Angus Council Leisure Services, not only is this proving very popular and sustainable it is a great arena to explore related health topics.

Gold Forums

The Angus Gold Forums have gone from strength to strength. They are groups of 50Plus people who come together to explore, in an informal way, issues of concern to them not just local concerns but national issues as well e.g. pensions, free personal care, council tax, and anything else they wish to bring to the group. We now have forums in Arbroath, Letham, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Brechin, Montrose and Carnoustie.

All of the Forums and other groups within the Project contributed to the Scottish Executives consultation on the proposed National Strategy for Older People in Scotland. The total return for the consultation to the Scottish Executive was 1300 and Angus Gold returned 74 ensuring a good proportion of their views were represented.

We have also visited the Scottish Parliament and other Ageing Well Projects in Edinburgh and been involved in many more consultations and issues over the past six months.

Our thanks to everyone involved with this project for your support, contributions, understanding and fun over these last four years, and we look forward in the coming year to meeting more of Angus's 50plus population

If you wish to discuss any of the work mentioned in this article or indeed would like just to find out more about the Project please contact me or any of the staff at the Angus Gold Shop Telephone 01307 468859 or email at Craiga@angus.gov.uk