Going the extra mile to help Kintyre’s senior citizens
Despite making an average of between 70 and 90 supermarket visits a week, shopping is far from all that Campbeltown-based charity Shopper-Aide does.
Formed in 2011 in a bid to battle social isolation and provide services and support for people in Kintyre aged over 60, Shopper-Aide has grown considerably since then.
It now has more staff and volunteers than ever before and runs clubs including Elderberries, Garry’s Gang, Clachan Old Pals, Tayinloan Soup and Book Club, Carradale Elderberries Outreach, and Courier and Chat.
Arguably the most well known, Elderberries is a twice-weekly club in Campbeltown where clients have lunch and take part in a variety of activities including arts, crafts, music, exercise sessions, quizzes, bingo and outings.
Shopper-Aide also arranges individual or group outings, carries out home visits to clients who are unable to leave their homes, and offers house-keeping services at more than 30 clients’ homes, as well as one-to-one befriending.
Farm Eggs
The charity has sold High Bellochantuy Farm eggs and second-hand books for some time but its new, bigger, Longrow premises, along the street from the old shop, means that, as of this week, it also sells products on behalf of CGS4Gambia.
Joan Stewart, ShopperAide project manager, said: ‘Shopper-Aide as a whole works very well with Campbeltown Grammar School (CGS) and all primary schools in the area.’
Development co-ordinator Sarah McFadzean, who runs Shopper-Aide’s Dementia Awareness Project, has recently visited Castlehill’s P7 class, Dalintober’s Community Cadets – pupils from P6 and P7 – and Rhunahaorine, with plans to go to most Kintyre schools.
Sarah’s work with the children focuses on her Dementia Friends awareness training and aspects of the Alzheimer’s Society’s Memories with Grandma initiative.
The charity is keen on inter-generational work, with additional support needs pupils from CGS helping with shopping and other tasks, and primary pupils regularly visiting the Elderberries group.
Joan said: ‘Sarah’s Dementia Awareness Project is very important because the World Health Organisation lists dementia as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. People are living longer now, and society has to support their own.
‘We’re not only here for older people but also their families and carers. If we
can alleviate the strain on families even for an hour, it’s worth it.’
One of Shopper-Aide’s newest groups, Courier and Chat is a drop-in session run by Sarah aimed at supporting not only those aged over 60 but also their carers.
Held on the second and fourth Fridays of every month, Sarah offers help and support on issues. Even if carers do not have a specific issue, they are welcome to seek some respite by dropping in to read and discuss the Courier over a cup of tea or coffee.
The premise of the Tayinloan Soup and Book Club is that people take along a book and swap it with one of those Sarah has brought, and then enjoy a chat over a bowl of soup. The meetings, which last for an hour and a half, tie in with the Gigha ferry meaning senior citizens from the island can join in.
Activity-based
Because the groups cater to the needs and desires of those who attend, Carradale’s Elderberries Outreach meetings are more activity-based, featuring Kintyre people demonstrating particular skills or presenting talks.
Sarah said: ‘Regardless of what we’re doing, it helps with people’s well-being, especially those who might not even realise they are isolated. I would encourage everyone to come along, not just because they need support but to offer help as well, to contribute to the conversation.’
Again catering to the desires of members, Garry’s Gang and Clachan Old Pals were established as ‘men only’ clubs, where members can enjoy a catch-up minus the distraction of the fairer sex.
Talking generally, Joan said: ‘If there are issues, we deal with them. We contact clients’ families, or third party agencies – we have a very good relationship with all the agencies with which we work. ‘Shopper-Aide offers everything but personal care – and if we don’t do it, we know someone who can.’
Sarah added: ‘While we don’t do physical personal care, we do offer a very personalised service, catering to the needs of each and every client.
‘We are often the first place people turn to when something is wrong,’ Joan added.
‘And we always go the extra mile – if we go into someone’s house with shopping, we may end up taking the bins out, clearing out the fridge or getting rid of old flowers.’
With more services and support being offered, more volunteers are also needed.
‘Our workers and volunteers are absolutely brilliant, coming from all walks of life,’ said Joan. ‘But we need more volunteers – we could never have enough. Seventy per cent of our staff started as volunteers.
‘We look at many different areas to see where our volunteers are best suited, whether that’s driving, shopping, admin, helping with our social media or window dressing in the shop – there’s something for everyone. Some people only have an hour a week spare, whereas others come in every day – it all makes a difference. ‘Our volunteers range in age from third year at CGS to people in their 70s, and we have volunteers as well as clients from Woodlands Resource Centre.’ Joan highlighted the social benefits that volunteering brings, saying: ‘If you are new to the area, it is a great way of making friends.’ Sarah said: ‘It’s not just the clients who benefit, the volunteers do too.’ Joan added: ‘We call it the Shopper-Aide family, because we are there for each other, working together for the good of the area.’ Running the charity is expensive, as 90 per cent of those attending clubs require transport to and from venues. Shopper-Aide has four vehicles – the original car, Cherryaide, funded by the Big Lottery; Blueberry, also funded by the Big Lottery; Sapphire, an in-demand wheel-chair accessible vehicle, funded by the community; and Snowball, a delivery van purchased with generated income. ‘We always need more money as we don’t run on water unfortunately,’ Joan said. ‘As well as fuel, each vehicle requires upkeep and maintenance.’ People can donate money to the charity by visiting Shopper-Aide’s website, or by sponsoring one of the vehicles for £55 a week, with the choice to have their name displayed in the window.
Sarah said: ‘One of the worst things is when people can no longer drive, especially for those who live in rural areas. That’s why we offer transport to all of our groups, making sure those who want to attend are able to.’
‘But we really need people to help us do that,’ Joan added.
To find out more about how to help Shopper-Aide, visit the website at www.shopper-aide.org.uk, or search for @shopperaidecampbeltown on Facebook.