Support will continue for at least three years
Cash for vital service
A vital service to the elderly will continue in Cambuslang and Rutherglen for at least another three years after securing funding.
The Lightburn Elderly Association Project (LEAP) will maintain its Hands On Project after receiving a £375,000 cash boost from the Big Lottery.
The organisation has also successfully secured grants totalling £201,000 from LEADER, Robertson Trust, Integrated Care Fund and CORRA to establish an Avondale wide Hands On Project.
Gilly Feron, chairman for LEAP, said: “LEAP are delighted to be able to continue to assist older people across South Lanarkshire via its long established Hands On Project services, 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”.
The Hands On Project provides a free befriending and handyperson service to older people throughout South Lanarkshire.
The befriending service volunteers assist older people with one to one short and long term befriending support in the home, as well as facilitating befriending friendship groups within a community setting.
The handyperson service volunteers are keen to help those who need assistance with small tasks and jobs around the home.
Pensioners who might benefit from the handyperson or befriending service are invited to call the LEAP office on 0141 641 5169. Those who can spare an hour or two each week as a volunteer to help an older person in the community are also invited to phone LEAP staff for more information.