Sue shows the way in caring for elderly

Date published: 01 October 2013


A COUNCIL employee has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award for making a huge difference to the elderly community.

Sue Scott is the co-ordinator of the Friends and Neighbours Scheme, which is run by Oldham Council.

Sue co-ordinates and trains volunteers to keep older residents in Oldham involved in the community through socialising and ensuring they stay as active as possible.

The programme includes those with mental-health issues, physical disabilities and the recently bereaved.

Members have to live in Oldham and be aged 50 and over to join the scheme, with the current oldest being 103.

Sue encourages members to visit each other and look after each other to promote independence and less dependence on others.

As well as social visits, members are offered a chance to learn basic computer skills at the Link Centre in Union Street twice a week.

Difference

Sue has made such a huge difference in Oldham that the council has sent her to other local authorities, including Bradford and Hull, to help kick-start similar schemes.

She was nominated by Liz Lloyd, who has volunteered since the group began.

Liz said: “She’s fantastic — the council could not have found anyone better for the job. The scheme is for people who feel like they are lonely and isolated and Sue likes to get personally involved to make sure members feel that way as little as possible.

“She really cares for the community and everyone she works with.

“I’m speaking on behalf of everyone, we all appreciate her so much and no one deserves this nomination more”

Sue said: “It’s lovely to have been nominated — I’m very surprised. I don’t feel like I deserve it.

“I get such satisfaction from my job. Knowing that you are making a difference to people’s lives is very rewarding.

“I recruit and train volunteers and match them up with the right person.

“People have said the scheme has been life-changing and we’ve even had some people who have been helped by a volunteer decide to become one themselves.”