Highland Senior Citizens Network celebrates 30 years of championing older folks’ rights with special Inverness Town House civic reception
A charity that has successfully championed and campaigned for older people in the Highlands for 30 years was today honoured at a civic reception at Inverness Town House.
Members and trustees of the Highland Senior Citizens Network (HSCN) were welcomed for a special 30th birthday party hosted by deputy provost of Inverness and area Morven Reid.
Since it was founded, HSCN has played a crucial role in promoting the interests and celebrating the worth and achievements of those aged over 55 in the region.
Cllr Reid called the charity a “wonderful organisation”.
Trustee Brian Devlin joined various speakers including Cllr Isabelle MacKenzie, the older people’s champion, and two pupils from Dingwall Academy who successfully nominated HSCN for a £3000 award from the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) this year.
Anne McDonald, the charity’s co-ordinator for Caithness and Sutherland East, Mid and Wester Ross and Inverness, applauded the youngsters for their incredible hard work in securing the funding.
The words of the late councillor Sheila Mackay OBE, spoken at the formation of the charity in March 1995, were also recounted poignantly.
Mrs Mackay told the region’s older population: “We are all a community, and you are a major part of that. You are not a burden on society just because you are getting old.
“The community has to give you the kind of deal you deserve. You fought for the community, you brought it up and have helped to keep it.
“This is an opportunity for you to join together and make your collective voice heard on issues that affect your life.”
Mr Devlin said that by serving as “a pressure group lobbying for a sector of the population whose voice for too long went unheard, 30 years on the charity has done what it set out to do.”
He also paid a “huge tribute” to the work and dedication of the HSCN chairman Dr Ian McNamara who had kept its ideals to the fore “through thick and thin”.
Cllr Isabelle Mackenzie also spoke passionately about the work of the charity and highlighted that the need for it was as great as ever.
Coordinator Anne McDonald also unveiled a special birthday cake, before all in attendance enjoyed pastry food and refreshments within the Town House main hall.
