Glasgow’s Golden Generation, a charity set up in 1948 to combat loneliness and isolation in older adults, has delivered its 10,000th parcel of essential items during the pandemic.
Since March, the charity has replaced its day centre care and face to face visits with an essentials campaign which has seen staff delivering bags of food, cleaning products and other items to older adults in their homes.
Befriending staff and volunteers have also called older adults every week to ensure they have everything they need and to lend a friendly ear. To date over 12,000 calls have been made and this service will continue over the winter months.
Dorothy Irwin (pictured above) attended the charity’s day centres and clubs before lockdown and receives weekly parcels. Of the campaign she said: “Over the years I have enjoyed attending GGG’s Day Centre and one of the charity’s clubs for older adults. When lockdown was announced I was worried about getting to the shops and going out; I didn’t know how I would get food and other things that I need. Thankfully, Glasgow’s Golden Generation stepped in and have delivered what I need on a weekly basis. It has been lovely to see the staff I know every week, albeit from a distance. It makes me feel less alone and I know someone is looking out for me.”
Richard Donald, CEO of Glasgow’s Golden Generation, said: “In March we could not have imagined reaching this milestone; back then we thought the campaign would last for weeks or a few months at most. However, it is clear to us that this service is still needed and is a vital lifeline to older adults in the city. The support of many trusts, foundations and other donors has helped us provide this service, but we can’t continue without your support. I would urge people in Glasgow to donate to our campaign to make sure we can continue supporting older adults throughout the winter.”
To donate to the charity’s campaign please visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/ggg-covid-19-crisis-appeal or call 0141 221 9924 where your donation can be taken over the phone.
