Older residents have their voices heard

North Ayrshire Council’s third annual Older People’s Voice Conference was a resounding success as 60 residents gathered on Friday 6 March at Redburn Community Centre.

The community event in the main hall was planned and hosted by the council’s Community Learning and Development team in partnership with older people across the six localities to encourage as many people as possible to have a voice in building a North Ayrshire that is Fair for All.

The conference is a key component of North Ayrshire Council’s Older People’s Voice Participation Strategy to ensure older people’s voices are heard in policy planning.

Group discussions on a range of matters were held alongside staff from the council’s Community Learning and Development service.

Attendees then enjoyed an afternoon tea provided by Friends of Redburn and open conversations were had around what has worked well over the past year, including news of improved communication via the council’s WhatsApp channel.

The new WhatsApp channel is being used to share key service updates and emergency communications to residents who may not be on social media but are confident using WhatsApp messenger.

Other themes discussed at the annual meeting included:

• ensuring older people’s voices are heard, actioned and respected
• helping to shape the work of the council
• addressing inequalities
• achievement through intergenerational learning
• community participation
• information on elderly grants
• health and wellbeing – including green health – in localities

Local groups attended from localities across North Ayrshire and these included: Irvine Seniors’ Forum, Three Towns Discovery Group, Age Well in West Kilbride, Kilwinning Vintage Voices and Watt Gardens Residents Group in Dalry.

North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson opened the conference. She shared: “It was wonderful to be part of such a worthwhile and interesting event. As Provost, I am fortunate of having the opportunity, first hand, to see the fantastic work being done with care and compassion by our vibrant community groups across North Ayrshire. The commitment, passion and presence the groups represent is deeply appreciated."

Older People’s Champion, Councillor Marie Burns also added: “It is vital that older people feel comfortable in raising their voices at a locality level. The voluntary work they do, the knowledge they share and the energy they have really makes a difference.

“Our Older People’s Conference and wider Older People’s Voice network is at the forefront of our Wellbeing and Communities and Local Democracy Council Plan priorities – our contract with communities to tackle inequalities and steer resources to the areas that can make the greatest difference to the lives of people in North Ayrshire both now and in the future.

“We will continue to work closely with elderly communities to raise issues and ensure they feel heard when it comes to the planning and delivery of council policies and services. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed by getting involved in the discussions on the day, and for their hard work all year round.”

The annual Older People’s Conference forms a part of the council’s wider Older People’s Voice Participation Strategy – made up of the Older People’s Voice Network and Executive Older People’s Council.

The feedback gained will be shared via the Executive Older People’s Council to ensure that older people’s voices are heard, actioned and respected in North Ayrshire.

To find out more about what activities, adult learning and events are happening in your community, please email your Locality team on the email addresses below.

• Kilwinning and North Coast: kilwnclocality@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
• Three Towns: 3townslocality@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
• Garnock Valley: garnockvalleylocality@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
• Irvine: irvinelocailtyteam@northayrshire.gov.uk
• Arran – Go to the Arran CVS website at www.arrancvs.org.uk or email info@arrancvs.org.uk

Published: 12 March 2026