On 10th June local MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Christina McKelvie, visited the Milan – Ethnic Minority Older People Group for their regular lunch which was being held in the Burnbank Centre.
These lunches are held as part of the Older People’s Services Project (OPSP) which is run jointly by Trust, Hanover (Scotland) and Bield Housing Associations. The OPSP has been running for ten years and is the only national outreach initiative which focusses on the complex needs of older ethnic minority people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. The project focuses on helping those it works with learn about and access the full range of benefits and services they are entitled to.
Following on from the visit, Christina said: “It was great to come along to the OSPS lunch as the local MSP and speak directly to the older people who are benefiting from the projects work. The turnout was tremendous and a huge number of Scotland’s diverse backgrounds were reflected in those attending. The food was just as diverse and delicious!
”Scotland’s diversity is its strength. To quote the EUs motto we are “united in diversity”. That is why the work of OSPS and the Scottish Ethnic Minority Older People Forum set-up through its work is so important. For our country to be successful we need to support everyone who lives or works here.”