Golden Friendships, a popular charity based in Clydebank, has just been awarded Age Scotland’s national Member Group of the Year award. Established in 2017 by Jim and Karen McLaren, initially to provide support to adults with additional support needs in the local area, the club has since grown, now offering a range of social events and support services 7 days a week. It has also diversified its members, with older residents and local school children also getting involved, a move which was sorely required after Covid and the isolation it cultivated. Today, almost 300 older people across the Clydebank community, and beyond, visit the service daily, providing as it does food, heat and most of all a sense of community. Indeed, at their busiest, the organisers and volunteers provided 700 older people with a Christmas lunch and festive gift last year.
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 Age Scotland’s Christmas advert, due to go live on STV in the coming weeks. Agnes McLaren (Jim’s mum), Molly Kelly, Barbara Biggins, Chrissie Graham and Cathy Marks were delighted to take part, feeling privileged to not only represent their beloved community club, but also increase awareness of the work it does. In the women’s own words, they hope this helps to showcase the local charity, which they regard as an oasis of hope, a lifeline – and one they hope will continue to thrive for years to come.
”We had many nominations but Golden Friendships have done so much to deserve this award and recognition.
Katherine CrawfordAge Scotland
Speaking on the award, Jim McLaren from Golden Friendships noted, “we at Golden Friendships are absolutely thrilled about winning this award. In our efforts to tackle loneliness in our community we reached out and got much needed funding from Age Scotland. The relationship that has grown from that especially the face to face contact with Age Scotland community development officer, Ann, has made it a very enjoyable experience. “We have been able to continue delivering meals to our pensioners which gets them out of their homes and into sociable company. Through these lunches friendships have developed and our members are having a lot more regular contact with other members in the same position as themselves. This may be through phone calls, visiting each other’s home or meeting out at other social events.
“As a group it is fantastic to be recognised for all the hard work that our staff and Volunteering teams put in daily to make our club welcoming and friendly for all who visit. Thank you from all at Golden Friendships.”
Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said:
“It gives me great pleasure to present the team from Golden Friendships with the Age Scotland Member Group of the Year award. We had many nominations but Golden Friendships have done so much to deserve this award and recognition. The group is a warm, inclusive place for older people in the Clydebank area to come together for good food, companionship, activities, support and care. Providing Christmas dinner and a gift for 700 older people last year is a testament to the group’s popularity and the important role it plays in the community. I look forward to seeing Golden Friendships going from strength to strength and congratulate all involved for their richly deserved award.”
If you would like to make a donation to Golden Friendships to support our vital community work including our selection box appeal this Christmas please use the donate button below. Thank you.
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