Wallace Quinn visit GGG’s Mattie Carwood Centre
Wallace Quinn recently visited Glasgow Golden Generation’s Mattie Carwood Centre. Attendees had a three-course Christmas meal followed by a game of bingo and a performance from a talented singer.
Glasgow’s Golden Generation (GGG) focus on reducing loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Centres offer a variety of activities including art classes, armchair exercises, carpet bowls, gardening, music therapy, reminiscence activities and much more.
Lorraine McNougher is a Befriender Coordinator and also a volunteer with GGG and offered an insight into her roles:
What is a befriender?
Befrienders are trained volunteers matched with older adults to provide emotional or social support to those who might otherwise be quite isolated. Befrienders visit these adults in their home every week to help them remain active and engaged within their community.
What is your role as a coordinator?
Befriending Coordinators ensure each older adult have a welfare check and apply for Attendance Allowance and other pension age benefits they might be entitled to but not claiming. They make sure that the older adults are happy with life and that they are living comfortably with enough food to eat. She works alongside social workers and community workers to ensure that older people are provided for and make their home life as easy as possible.
What is your favourite part about being a volunteer?
The best part about my job is the people. Each person is unique, with their own stories and life experiences. Glasgow’s Golden Generation all deserve the upmost respect and many spend a lot of time on their own, so it is great to be able to spend time together and volunteers hugely enjoy the experience.
When the pandemic happened, how did this affect the service?
We had a lot more older adults experiencing loneliness and looking to join the service. At the same time, we had an increase in the number of volunteers looking to help within their communities. Like many organisations, we had to do what we could remotely. This meant weekly phone or video calls rather than visits in person. We also created a GGG app, which was designed with older adults and now includes weekly content such as a newsletter, live bingo sessions delivered by GGG workers from the day centres, along with armchair exercises, relaxation techniques, memory games and more. We adapted and we kept going and now as our communities are opening up again, we’re delighted to be working with people face to face again.
After being a volunteer for 9 and a half years. Lorraine is stepping down from her role and will be greatly missed. Glasgow’s Golden Generation is highly appreciative of her work and dedication for the charity and wishes her well in her future endeavours.
Glasgow’s Golden Generation is a charity that we are proud to sponsor. They truly make a difference in the lives of the people it serves. We are grateful for the invaluable work that this charity does and are honoured to be able to contribute to its mission. The organisation is currently looking for more volunteers to help support them, so if you’re interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer, or you know an older adult who might benefit from involvement with the charity, or if you would like to make a donation, you can visit their website here.