Cash and parliament praise for church group
A voluntary club at a Rutherglen church has secured new funding and been congratulated in the Scottish Parliament for their achievements.
The 1st Tuesday Club, based at St Columbkille’s Church, secured a £1,500 Awards for All Scotland grant from the Big Lottery Fund in order to help continue their work.
The voluntary group meet on the first Tuesday of every month to help those with dementia, other conditions, and their carers.
It is now in its third year and the extra funding could see the group continue to expand.
Father Pat Hennessy believes the project has helped provide cheer and respite for those suffering from dementia and also those caring for them.
He said: “It was called the 1st Tuesday Club because the organisers wanted a name that was more friendly than calling it a dementia club and it has grown and grown since starting.
“People put in a lot of effort to help the people suffering from dementia and their carers, who are often the ones who suffer the most, so it gives them a bit of help as well.
“Dementia is a growing problem, and it takes so little to help and comfort people.
“Music therapy is a big part of it, so they have music playing and can dance a bit.
“With the money they’ll be able to possibly expand the group and just buy things like tea, biscuits, hiring musicians and others who can provide entertainment.
“There’s a bit of painting and drawing and things, and it provides a jolly, happy time for people.”
The funding prompted a motion from Clare Haughey MSP in parliament.
It states that: “The parliament congratulates the 1st Tuesday Club on receiving a £1,500 Awards for All Scotland grant from the Big Lottery Fund; notes that the club is a voluntary organisation based in St Columbkille’s Church in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, which has been running for three years; acknowledges that the organisation meets on the first Tuesday of each month to provide support, advice and social opportunities to people living with dementia and other debilitating conditions, as well as their carers, and congratulates the volunteers on the important work that they do for the club members.”
The motion has been supported by a cross-party group of politicians, including Rona Mackay, Joan McAlpine, James Dornan, Ben Macpherson, James Kelly, Bill Kidd, Richard Lyle, Jenny Gilruth, Stewart Stevenson, Miles Briggs, Bob Doris, Ruth Maguire, Monica Lennon, Sandra White, and Ivan McKee.
There’s a bit of painting and drawing and it provides a jolly, happy time. It takes little to help