The College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section

A message from your chair

We look forward with wistful thoughts of a happy retirement and so we should..... we’ll all have worked very hard.   Perhaps some of us will be looking forward to spending our pensions whilst relaxing in our holiday homes in some warm foreign clime!, (just make sure the building has a lift!).

The reality will most likely be, that we stay at home trying to keep the wolves from the door as we struggle to manage with a greatly reduced income, such is the life of the pensioner.

The other difficulty we may face comes hand in hand with the frailties that are part and parcel of ageing and that is the fact that we may no longer be as independent as we are now. We will be reliant on the good will of our families and friends and 'the state' to care for us.

So then, it is incumbent on us now, to plan ahead, to anticipate difficulties and develop strategies to overcome anything that has the potential to deter us from enjoying fully our old age.

Housing is a crucial factor which has the ability to either bolster or crush us depending on our individual circumstances.

As occupational therapists we are ideally placed to look ahead, anticipate and develop the necessary strategies to assist people to live as enjoyable and independent lives as possible.

This conference brings together some of the forward thinkers of our time, who are interested in the ageing society and housing.

The Specialist Section-Housing is delighted to provide this platform for them to share their findings and hearing their views will surely provide the delegate with a sound basis on which to plan ahead and inform those policy makers and strategists in their own authority.

Making sure, in effect, that there is an adequate amount of appropriate, accessible housing to meet this anticipated demand.

We hope you find the programme interesting and we look forward to welcoming you to Aberdeen.

Mary Stobie
Chair COTSS-Housing

Getting to Aberdeen

Aberdeen is served by most budget airlines from airports across the UK, it's also served by the National Express North East Mainline train services from London Kings Cross.

Make sure you get the best deal by booking early!

Flights are starting to be released already depending on your departure airport.

Train tickets are released 3 months before date of travel, although our experience shows that the bargain fare single tickets often take an extra week or so before appearing.

Please see our useful Travel Fact Sheet (available for download below) for information on which airlines serve which airports and other travel information.

NEW LOWER members conference attendance fees

Yes that's right - 2008 sees a new pricing structure which sees members rates lowered.

Every member who renews membership can book a 2 day conference place for just £180 saving you £20 on last years standard price.

So if you haven't renewed your membership do it today.

Civic Reception

We are delighted to announce that Lord Provost Peter Stephen & The Council of the City of Aberdeen have agreed to host a Civic Reception at Aberdeen's Historic Town House on the evening of the 6^th of November.

The reception will last approximately 1½ hours and will include a welcome from the Lord Provost, drinks and a generous finger buffet. You will also have the chance to relax, catch up and network in rather grand surroundings.

Return transport will be laid on from the Holiday Inn to the Town House. Following the reception, elegates can choose to either stay on in the city centre for a few more hours or return to the Hotel at 9:30pm

Unfortunately places are limited and issued on a first come basis so please indicate if you would be interested in attending by ticking the box on the booking form, formal invitations will be issued when you register and will need to be produced at the Town House.

If you haven't already received your membership renewal pack it's important that you wait until you have this, before booking your conference place.

To benefit from the discounted members price you should return your membership renewal form with your conference application or include confirmation of membership for 2008/9.

We regret that we will NOT be able to offer any discounts retrospectively.

For queries related to renewal packs please contact AbleTypes on the usual membership number.

FREE prize draw

Book your conference place by 31st July 2008 and you'll automatically be entered into a draw to win a years membership.

If you have renewed your membership you'll get the fee you paid back, if your employer paid you'll get a voucher for next years membership.

So make sure you book early to guarantee your place in the draw.