Charity gets £375K lottery cash boost
Boost for elderly
A charity that helps older people across Hamilton has a lotto reasons to be thankful after landing a £375,319 grant.
The Big Lottery handed over the cash to LEAP, who will use it for their Hands-on Project.
It consists of a befriending and handyperson service. Befrienders offer short- or longterm companionship to older people who might be feeling lonely or isolated, while the handyperson service gives free practical assistance with small jobs and tasks around the home such as changing light bulbs, curtains and washing inside windows.
Gilly Feron, chairperson for LEAP, said: “LEAP are delighted that they able to continue to assist older people across South Lanarkshire via its longestablished Hands-on Project service, which has an 18-year history of having a positive impact on improving loneliness, isolation and independence in older people.
“Staff are excited to embrace these existing and new opportunities to continuing to make a difference in older people’s lives.”
LEAP are the Lightburn Elderly Association Project, and they expanded into other areas a number of years ago. Their Hand-on Project also covers Bothwell, Uddingston, Blantyre, East Kilbride, Cambuslang and Rutherglen. The organisation has also successfully secured a total combined amount of £201,239 from LEADER, Robertson Trust, Integrated Care Fund and CORRA to establish an Avondale-wide Hands on Project.
If you think you might benefit from LEAP’S handyperson or befriending service, or you know someone who would, then call 0141 641 5169.
Also, if you have a spare hour or two free each week as a volunteer then please get in touch.