WATCH: Day care centre '˜changed my life'

A service which provides a lifeline and prevents older people from being lonely has won a prestigious award.
The team pick up their award at the Age Scotland ceremony in PerthThe team pick up their award at the Age Scotland ceremony in Perth
The team pick up their award at the Age Scotland ceremony in Perth

Grangemouth Community Care, which is run by volunteers, has been named the Services for Older People Award winner at the Age Scotland 2017 Awards ceremony at Perth Concert Hall.

The award was given to the Grangemouth service in recognition of their efforts to support older people in the area by tackling loneliness and isolation.

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Keith Robson, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “Grangemouth Community Care provides an amazing service by supporting isolated older people and helping them to feel a part of their community.

“By providing transport, to and from the service, and an opportunity for attendees to socialise they are helping to dramatically improve quality of life.

“What’s even more astounding is that this service is run by volunteers, who all work tirelessly to make difference to the lives of vulnerable older people in Grangemouth.”

John, one of the service’s users, believes the service has changed his life for the better.

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He said: The difference to me is when I lost my wife I lost everything. No family, lost everything.

“I sat in the house just like a zombie until someone says ‘come along to Talbot House’, and it’s changed my life.”

Election candidate Allyson Black said the centre is well managed and well run and does a “fantastic job”.

She added: “We have got a larger than average number of older people living in our town and also have a lot of people living on their own and the day care really gives people something to look forward to.”

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MSP Angus MacDonald said: “Congratulations to Grangemouth Community Care and all involved in providing this vital service in the local area, for winning the Services for Older People award at the 2017 Age Scotland Awards.

“This award is testament to the work put in by Anne Lowe, co-ordinator of Grangemouth Community Care, and all of the volunteers who work incredibly hard to make the service the success that it is.

“It goes without saying that services like Grangemouth Community Care can be a lifeline to older people and I am immensely proud to have an organisation like Grangemouth Community Care providing an award-winning service in my constituency.”