AFTER MORE than 30 years championing the rights of older people, Dundee City councillor Ian Borthwick has retired from his day job with Age Concern Scotland.

But Mr Borthwick made it clear he will continue to be a member of the council, to which he was re-elected only a month ago.

He retired yesterday after three decades with Age Concern Scotland, firstly as development officer covering Fife, Central and Tayside and latterly as advocacy officer for Dundee.

In his original role he helped to develop services for older people in communities. As advocacy officer he was more involved in assisting older people and their families on an individual basis.

Mr Borthwick said he had been called on to deal with a wide range of issues in his role as advocacy officer, some of them harrowing as they involved the physical, mental or financial abuse of older people.

“Older people can sometimes feel that no one is listening to them and that things are happening over which they have no control,” he said.

“Our advocacy service is there to ensure that the older person’s voice is heard. We have been able to build up a significant degree of trust and people know that they can come to use us in absolute confidence.”

Mr Borthwick said the advocacy service, for which there is increasing demand because of the ageing population, would be continuing in Dundee after his retiral.

“I would like to pay warm tribute to the countless volunteers who keep day centres and visiting centres going and also to the carers who look after older people at home, often 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.

“They don’t complain, they just get on with the job. You can’t measure the contribution they make.”

Age Concern Scotland started out as the Scottish Old People’s Welfare Committee more than 60 years ago with the aim of promoting companionship and care.

“The problems identified then are, sadly, still familiar—poor housing, inadequacy of pensions, care of the sick and infirm, medical treatment, and loneliness and isolation,” Mr Borthwick said.

“Older people want and need to be involved in society, to have their say and enjoy a full and active life. Everyone of us as neighbours, individuals, volunteers, have a vital part to play which can’ never be underestimated.”