Deputy lord provost launches new community partnership

The Deputy Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow, CouncillorChristine Devine, has launched a new community partnership thisweek between transport services organisation Arriva plc and AgeConcern Scotland.

Age Concern Scotland is a charity working throughout Scotland tohelp make the lives of older people more secure, comfortable,dignified and enjoyable.

As part of its partnership, Arriva is supporting Age ConcernScotland's Information Service for Older People, which providesinformation on a range of issues from health and community care tobenefit entitlement and housing.

Arriva has made an initial donation of £3,000 to supportthe service, which will go towards the purchase of IT equipment,and will help to provide a more comprehensive, local, national andInternet based service. It will also help to develop the confidenceand skills of older volunteers in information and IT.

Ian Craig of Arriva said:

We are aware of Age Concern Scotland's valuable workand are delighted to be launching this new community partnership.Especially as it complements the aims of UK online – agovernment campaign that we are also actively involved in whichaims to encourage more people to use the internet.

We are very much a part of local communities across theUK and we seek to build sustainable relationships that are relevantto the group's activities. The aim is to deliver best value for thecommunities we serve, whilst reinforcing their relationship withArriva.

Kay Hutcheson, area manager of Age Concern Scotland, said:

Giving information to older people and their carers isa key service which Age Concern Scotland provides.

We are delighted that a high profile company likeArriva has chosen to work in partnership with us and give thisservice a welcome financial boost. The donation will allow us tobuy both a dedicated computer and a laptop. I am sure that thelaptop will prove particularly valuable as it will allow us tomobilise our information service across the communities weserve.

Ends

Notes to editors

The following digital photograph is available via e-mail fromArriva's corporate communications department.

Pictured from the left: Kay Hutcheson, CouncillorChristine Divine and Ian Craig.