A LEADING campaigner for older people’s rights yesterday highlighted a vital service that aims to provide a lifeline to the elderly and those who care for or work with them.

Dundee-based advocacy officer for Age Concern Scotland Ian Borthwick wished to raise the profile of the Scottish Helpline for Older People.

For more than 60 years, Age Concern Scotland has worked to help make the lives of older people more secure, comfortable, dignified and enjoyable.

It seeks to ensure older people have their rights upheld, their needs addressed, their voices heard and choice and control over all aspects of their lives.

The helpline works in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Scottish Pensioners’ Forum and Alzheimer’s Forum.

Mr Borthwick said, “Our service is an independent and confidential helpline.

“We’re dedicated to providing you with an effective answer to your questions and where we don’t know, we’ll try to find you another service who can help.

“Our goal is to ensure that every older person in Scotland has access to the same high quality information.

“Whatever your questions are about—community care, tax, pensions, benefits or any other issue—just talk to the helpline to find an answer fast.”

Call the helpline on 0845 1259732 from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.