Stay Safe is a pilot peer speaking project which has been running in Inverness and its outskirts for the last 18 months. 

Following research by the Highland Community Care Forum (HCCF) and Highland Senior Citizens Network (HSCN), a steering group was established including representatives from HCCF, HSCN, Northern Constabulary, Age Scotland and Inverness Community Care Forum. Trading Standards and Inverness Crime Prevention Panel have also recently joined the steering group and the project is also supported by Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Scottish Court Service.

The pilot, believed to be the only one of its kind in Scotland, received funding from Age Scotland and Comic Relief and involves volunteer speakers, led by a volunteer co-ordinator, giving talks to older people’s groups on a variety of subjects, including bogus callers and doorstep crime, scams and other issues relating to community safety.

Research by HSCN and HCCF showed that older people are more likely to take in and trust information delivered by their peers, rather than by someone much younger.  The research also suggested that they prefer to hear from people with similar life experience to themselves, hence the volunteer speakers all being over 50 years of age.

There has been a very positive response to this initiative and, funding permitting, the steering group is now looking to roll the project out to rural areas.  Interest has already been expressed from one such area and we’ll report progress on this in due course.

We are also linking in with Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service to ensure that as many older people as possible are made aware of the free fire safety checks that the service can offer.

Older people have told us that they see the project as a vital source of information and reassurance and that it is making them feel safer and more supported in their communities.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer speaker please contact Sarah Shaw (Volunteer Co-ordinator) on sshaw@hccf.org.uk or Tel 01463 718818