WRVS does not comment on rumours

Aug 8 2008 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Dear Editor, – On behalf of WRVS, I must protest in the strongest terms at the way we were represented in your article of August 1, entitled ‘Extra £2 levies slapped on meals-on-wheels’.

The comments made in the article by a “WRVS insider” do not reflect WRVS’s position and we object to the way that we were connected with this anonymous individual in the piece.

WRVS does not make comments or take up positions in relation to rumours and your piece is clear that the proposals are merely “rumoured”.

Nor does WRVS engage in the charade of “leaking” things through anonymous sources that we are unwilling to state openly.

To do either would be risible and would certainly not serve the interests of our service users or our volunteers in the Perth and Kinross area. That is not the way that WRVS conducts itself.

We are also rather taken aback that you chose not to seek a formal comment from us given the use you made of our name in the piece.

WRVS is not in the business of trying to suppress the views of members of the public or of any of our 11,500 Scottish volunteers when it comes to the issues that affect them. But that is very different from allowing the impression to be given that the view of one individual represents the view of WRVS.

Although we have noted, from exchanges on your letters page, that not all your contributors are aware of our position, we have stated it publicly before now and it has previously been covered in the pages of both the Courier and the Advertiser.

For the avoidance of doubt; WRVS continues to enjoy a productive working relationship with Perth and Kinross Council and we are currently in discussion with them as to how we can jointly develop other high-quality services, such as befriending, for older people in this part of Scotland.

These services have the potential to reach not only those people in receipt of meals on wheels but many more besides.

Andrew Jackson,

WRVS.