INVERCLYDE Council has backed calls for an older peoples' commissioner in Scotland - as a lasting tribute to local campaigner Nell McFadden MBE.

Greenock Telegraph:
Councillor Francesca Brennan said that such a move would be a lasting legacy of the inspirational work of the 96-year-old who passed away last month.

In her lifetime Nell, the founder of the elderly forum, battled both locally and nationally for the rights of older people.

Her work with the likes of the Rowntree Foundation helped draw attention to poverty, loneliness and mental health concerns.

In the end her voice forced political leaders to take the state pension seriously and introduce measures to book older people's incomes.

Councillor Brennan won the unanimous backing of colleagues when she called for an older peoples' commissioner to put their issue right at the heart of decision making.

She said: "I wanted to recognise Nell's message about getting stuck in and taking responsibility for making the changes we want to see in our communities and how that can benefit the people and places around us but also improve our own wellbeing. 

"She was an inspirational figure to people of all ages but really made people sit up and pay attention specifically to issues affecting older adults. 

"Nell was THE champion for older people here in Inverclyde so, when I was taking this motion to council, I had to start off by reflecting on her significant achievements. 

"This motion was about Inverclyde pledging our support for the idea of a Scotland-wide Commissioner for Older People. 

"By getting behind the concept, we were saying that we should take the spirit of the work that Nell McFadden did here for older people in Inverclyde and scale it up across Scotland."

Now Inverclyde Council will join a chorus of voices calling for a commissioner.

Councillor Brennan added: "A Commissioner for Older People would focus on protecting the rights of older people, on making sure their voices are heard in policies and on ensuring older people can take their full place in society. 

"There is a bill currently going through Scottish Parliament to make this really important role a reality.

"I think we can dedicate the support that we showed here in Inverclyde for the idea and the concept to Nell, and I was proud to play my part in getting a Commissioner for Older People established."