Golden Friendships, a popular charity based in Clydebank, has just been awarded Age Scotland’s national Member Group of the Year award.
This latest award is testament to the hard work of Jim and his team of staff and volunteers. More than 10 different sessions and activity clubs are run throughout the week which cater for all ages and all types of people, from bingo, to knitting, combined with free meals to all on a Tuesday, supper deliveries to homelessness charities and much more. And as an added bonus of the award, five of the charities key patrons were invited to take part in Scotrail’s Christmas advert, due to go live on STV in the coming weeks. Agnes McLaren (81) (Jim’s mum), Molly Kelly (74), Barbara Biggins (77), Chrissie Graham (88) and Cathy Marks (76) were delighted to take part, feeling privileged to not only represent their beloved community club, but also increase awareness of the work it does.
”This place needs to keep going as long as it can, for generations. People would simply be lost without it.
Chrissie GrahamGolden Friendships Patron
Here we learn a little more on each of the members experiences of the club, and their hopes for the future.
Agnes and Molly, both volunteers and members with the charity (and Jim’s mum and aunt respectively) have been on the journey since the club was established in 2017. They recall the first ever event, ‘Grab a granny,’ which encouraged local residents to bring their elderly relatives along to experience the club and all it has to offer, which in Molly’s words is ‘a family with the real feel good factor.’ Agnes similarly acknowledges the great atmosphere of the place, noting ‘this club has changed my life. You see the change in people, in their lives and it means the world to know you have played even a small part in making this change happen.’
Recounting some members stories, the ladies note residents who were first too shy to even attend, latterly joining them on stage to belt out some karaoke classics, or taking part in social activities, day trips – and even an over-nighter to Blackpool. Whilst this may seem simple steps to some, they see how it has changed lives, built confidence and ended loneliness for so many. Cathy Marks, who was first brought along by a relative to attend the grab a granny event, echoes Agnes and Molly’s sentiments. ‘Picture yourself, lost and lonely, dying of thirst in a dessert. You feel hopeless and alone. Then you see something in the distance, an oasis where you can find shelter, comfort, help. That’s what this place is – Golden Friendships offers peace, a place to forget your troubles and feel safe.’
Chrissie similarly joined the club at this first event and reflected on how it has changed, or in fact saved her life. ‘I just love the club to bits,’ she states. ‘I have lost many friends, lots of them through Covid times and Golden Friendships let me meet new friends, create new memories and have some fun. The club has literally saved my life and given me a reason to get up every day.’ Barbara, who first found the club through hearing Jim’s group, the Karaoke Clowns, describes the charity as her ‘happy place,’ noting the biggest part in this is the staff, volunteers and members.
Indeed each of the women applaud the many volunteers who gift their time every week, as well as the staff members, notably Elizabeth, Bobbie, Karen and Jim. ‘Jim is one of a kind,’ states Molly, ‘the place literally lights up when he comes through the door, with everyone wanting to speak to him.’ Agnes notes the caring nature of her son, who has always fought to include everyone and foster a sense of community – even from his school days. She tells the story of one member who every day when leaving the club, calls Jim to update that she has arrived home safely. ‘He always wishes her goodnight and reminds her to lock up and sleep well. He just can’t help but always care.’ Oor Bobby is also a firm favourite, with his positivity, optimism and warm character.
Indeed, it is this warmth, and sense of inclusivity that is noted across all of the ladies – and indeed wider member base. As Molly summarises, ‘it is a place to come, enjoy yourself, feel safe and not be judged.’ Each of the ladies acknowledge that it is very clear that the charity is not just about having fun however – the club works to actively tackle inequality, isolation and bolster members confidence and life skills. Through social activities like karaoke, or bingo they encourage members to come out of their shells, make friends and grow. Similarly, from red ramp events, to the premises themselves (the lowered bar, inclusive toilets galore), Golden Friendships actively works to ensure each and every member feels equal, included and enough. Since inception, the charity has hosted countless events, welcomed up to 300 members a day and sold 250,000 raffle tickets to date, all in an effort to raise funds to ensure it may continue to serve local residents. Awards such as this from Age Scotland help by raising awareness and hopefully attracting some additional support, but the need to continue fund-raising efforts is clear.
When asked their hopes for the future, all of the TV advert stars said the same simple thing, the continuation of the club for as long as it can. As Chrissie succinctly noted, ‘this place needs to keep going as long as it can, for generations. People would simply be lost without it.’
