Volunteers make special delivery for older Upper Braes residents

A team of volunteers representing local groups delivered 160 cream teas to those over 60 in the community as part of their Covid response.

Following a popular summer programme last year, which included the likes of an all-village fun day and a coach trip to Callendar for the over 60s, Avonbridge Community Association had more activities planned for this year.

Given the current circumstances with the Covid-19 pandemic these have had to be cancelled, but volunteers have been working hard throughout the pandemic to keep up morale in the community.

The delivery of the high tea boxes is just the latest of their projects.

A spokesperson for the association said: “Starting with the money we had raised / reserved for our now-scuppered summer program we have been trying to support families and other residents during lockdown.

"We have partnered with Avonbridge and Standburn Community Council and the Church of Scotland and United Reform congregations to reach out to over 60s residents in the Avonbridge, Standburn and Candie area – some are housebound and very isolated.

"Volunteers delivered a high tea box along with a ‘Covid care pack’ – a couple of face masks and hand sanitiser – to use when leaving the house.

"Our original budget expected about 60 people, but we are now looking at 160.

"Thanks to local donations, partnership with the other community groups and help from a number of funders, we gathered enough to deliver this project.”

Other initiatives organised by the community association, which manages Avonbridge Village Hall, during lockdown included providing 50 residents with individual growing kits of compost and bedding plants so they could decorate their old welly boots.

Photos were shared on Facebook and it is planned to bring all the boots to a central location to create a welly-boot garden so they can be enjoyed together.

Around 75 summer activity bags were also distributed to local children.

Each bag contained age-specific games and activities to those under 16.

With the village hall currently closed and fundraising events suspended the committee have only been able to complete these initiatives thanks to the support from funders and local businesses.

Windfarms EDF Burnhead Moss and Thrive Drumduff, Tesco Bags of Help and the NHS Forth Valley Health Promotion Service have helped with funding which has proven essential for delivering the projects.

Local businesses have been generous too – Your Local Store, Bank of Scotland, Megan’s Sweet Treats, Falkirk Sewing Studio CIC and Stirling Distillery.

Volunteers from Avonbridge Community Association, Avonbridge and Standburn Community Council and Avonbridge Church of Scotland have been joined by local individuals to help delivery the projects.

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