Older People’s Strategic Action Forum minutes: February 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Kaukab Stewart,  Minister for Equalities (Chair)
• Karen Mechan, Scottish Government
• Jack Murray-Dickson, Scottish Government
• Roberto Conetta, Scottish Government (Minutes)
• Adam Stachura, Age Scotland
• Alison Clyde, Generations Working Together and Scottish Older People's Assembly
• Angela Gribben, Glasgow Disability Alliance
• Debbie Horne, Independent Age 
• Eileen Cawley, Scottish Pensioners Forum/Scottish Women's Convention
• Liz Jamieson, Soroptimists International    
• Christine Ryder, Outside The Box

Apologies

• Rose Jackson,  Scottish Pensioners Forum
• David Edwards, Scottish Pensioners Forum
• Colin Scott, We Are Hourglass
• Jean Monaghan, LGBT Health
• Grant Aitchison, LGBT Health

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

The Minister for Equalities welcomed everyone to the meeting and provided an update on the team structure following the arrival of new staff.

Minute and actions of previous meeting

Debbie Horne (DH) noted that she had not been included as an attendee in the previous minutes and officials would correct. Subject to this amendment, the minutes of the previous meeting were approved and accepted as an accurate record.

Programme of deep dive sessions – for discussion

Minister for Equalities opened the discussion by outlining the proposal to hold a series of deep dive sessions, led by officials, to support future strategic work and strengthen OPSAF’s role in shaping policy. The purpose of this initial conversation was to identify the key themes to be explored across each priority area.

Health and social care

Stakeholders identified three core themes, the need for stronger focus on palliative and end‑of‑life care (noting the absence of a government strategy), concerns around social care packages and access to assessments, and significant digital and communication barriers, with automated phone systems and delays across services mentioned. Communication was recognised as a cross‑cutting issue throughout.

Pensioner poverty and cost of living

Stakeholders highlighted pressures around housing affordability and security, including issues for older private renters and those in park homes, alongside concerns about fuel poverty and limited reach of current support schemes, alongside increasing single occupancy rates. The need to improve benefit uptake was also noted, supported by survey findings showing high levels of poverty among older and disabled people. It was further noted that Scottish Government has an obligation to promote Scottish Social Security benefits, reinforcing the importance of driving uptake and awareness. DH mentioned there should be consideration of energy standards and the Fuel Poverty (Scotland) Act 2030 targets; a benefit take up strategy is due to be refreshed and a reminder that pension credit is a “passport payment”. AG commented that 89% of disabled people surveyed had financial concerns.

Action: Minister for Equalities to write to the UK Government to explore opportunities for joint working on benefit uptake, including how both governments can strengthen promotion of relevant benefits.

Social isolation and loneliness

Highlighted as key concerns, particularly in rural areas where limited public transport and the closure of local community spaces are increasing barriers to creating social connections. Rising costs for activities, including rent of spaces, was noted as a further barrier. Members suggested SG should recognise social isolation as a public health priority, setting long‑term targets to reduce chronic loneliness given its impact on wider health outcomes.

Ageism

Identified as a cross‑cutting issue, with stakeholders highlighting the value of intergenerational approaches, volunteering and mixed‑age housing models (Netherlands, Manchester) that could help build connections and reduce stigma. The Minister confirmed her support for intergenerational and place-based initiatives.

The Minister closed the discussion and thanked members for their valued contributions, noting that stakeholders should use forthcoming deep dive workshops as an opportunity to engage on these matters in more depth.

Updates from Scottish Government  

The Minister noted the upcoming pre-election period and reaffirmed that OPSAF is a key mechanism for stakeholders to engage directly with SG. More generally in the next parliamentary session officials will share the next Scottish Parliament Bill programme with OSPAF to raise awareness of legislation.

Action: Officials to share Bill programme when published, identifying areas OPSAF may have an interest.

Karen Mechan (KJM) suggested that could consider OPSAF and SIAL (Social Isolation and Loneliness) groups potentially coming together for relevant deep dives. This can be explored flexibly, and stakeholders should share their views with KJM.

Member updates

Members were invited to provide updates on their ongoing work. Due to limited time not all updates were shared during the meeting, however it was agreed that email summaries would be submitted to KJM and these would be included in the minutes.

Independent Age provided updates including the launch of their Boosting Advice Fund: Round 3, plans to re‑commission the  Older People's Economic Wellbeing Index for publication around June 2026, ongoing concerns around the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment qualifying week being in September; which was highlighted to SG in a 2024 consultation response as well as involvement in Social Security Scotland’s new tackling‑stigma campaign, and the launch of their mixed-age couples campaign.

Age Scotland’s Big Survey had over 4000 responses (135+ questions) and is being analysed. Publication likely in March.

Generations Working Together reported that the Global Intergenerational Week campaign was launched on Tuesday 4 February with 3 global online launch events taking place.

Outside the Box reported that they have moved into Delivery Stage of their 5 year Climate Wisdom project which aims to embed climate activities to foster behaviour change, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance wellbeing and autonomy for people living with dementia. They are also hosting a ‘Connecting Equalities’ webinar on 25 March for MSPs and candidates to hear from older people's organisations about what their top 3 asks would be for the next parliament. They are also working in partnership with Scottish Confederation of Park Homes Residents Associations (SCOPHRA) to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), in order to create resources for, and raise awareness of issues faced by park home residents.

Any other business

DH provided an update on the 2019 pension credit changes affecting mixed‑age couples and noted a campaign to the UK Government is underway. Liz Jamieson added that she would raise with Soroptimists and support the campaign. The Minister acknowledged concerns and confirmed she would explore further. 

Action: The Minister will get advice from officials around the pension issue. 
Action: Officials will liaise with internal colleagues around the financial gap created by the pensions issue.

The Minister closed the meeting by thanking everyone for their time and expressed that she looked forward to continued engagement.