Tonight on Shortlist attending and the Age Scotland Awards Garden Lobby Scottish Parliament #AgeScotAwards

Hi

with great thanks to all at AGE SCOTLAND  for the great Honor to be on the shortlist for the Jess Barrow award for campaigning

I feel very honored to be on the Shortlist  and congratulate wish all nominees the very best for tonight's awards

thank you Age Scotland for the kindness

The Jess Barrow award is given to an individual or group whose campaigning has highlighted a specific issue and affected change to the benefit of older people.

Last Year's Winners

In 2013 the Award was won by Woodlands Senior Club, which had successfully lobbied local Councillors to prevent closure of its base, the Woodland’s Centre.  The Club shared the Award with Mrs Jean Miller who set upPolymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Scotland, providing support to sufferers across the UK and beyond.

About Jess Barrow

Jess Barrow was Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Age Scotland's predecessor charity, Age Concern Scotland.  She campaigned widely for the rights of older people and was a lifelong contributor to the third sector.

Starting her decade-long career at Age Concern Scotland as a housing officer, Jess was passionate about the problems faced by older people, actively campaigning on issues such as free bus travel, measures to reduce fuel poverty, funding to improve housing conditions and to establish a national helpline for older people.

She also played a significant role in ensuring the introduction of free personal and nursing care, which has made a huge difference to older people across Scotland.  

Jess had a single-minded focus and commitment to making things happen, which was ultimately acknowledged with a secondment to the then Scottish Executive to help develop its strategy for a Scotland with an Ageing Population.

She was a dynamic figure in the development of Scottish social policy in the early years of devolution and her actions were defined by a passionate belief in social justice, in righting wrongs and in creating a fair society for all.

Jess passed away in 2007 at the age of 44.  She is survived by her husband, Gordon Russell, and their two sons, James and Calum.