Providing meals and more for the elderly residents of Girvan
Age Concern Scotland Girvan Branch was formed 40 years ago to provide low-cost three-course meals for the elderly in the local area.
It became a charity in 2000 and is completely run by volunteers. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday the group offers a three-course meal for £6. In addition to meals, the group also organises information days where they cover a range of age-related topics such as the power of attorney and wills.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the group were unfortunately unable to offer its meal service which meant they were unable to generate any income during this time. When restrictions eased the group were keen to start the service again so applied to the Sir George Earle Benevolent Fund to enable them to purchase food and pay overheads such as hall rental.
A £3,000 grant has enabled the group to reopen and start welcoming local residents through their doors again. Their meal sittings are mostly at full capacity with 40 diners each day, which is higher than pre-Covid-19 numbers. The group hope that now restrictions have eased they can soon return to being self-sufficient.