A friendly face and a hearty meal
Every time you play, you help: How money raised through The Health Lottery supports vulnerable, lonely and elderly people
IT’S been a tough start to the year, but the good news is that thousands of big-hearted volunteers are busy making life better for the most vulnerable in their community – with help from The Health Lottery.
So if you’ve ever played The Health Lottery’s draws or online scratch cards, you’ve played your part in supporting 277 charities and helping raise more than £11million for projects in Scotland since 2011.
The St Matthew’s Centre, in Possilpark, is just one of the many Scottish charities making a big difference, serving up more than 1,000 meals throughout the Canal Ward of Glasgow, as well as providing a cheery chat for people feeling lonely, isolated or struggling with financial hardship.
With new Covid restrictions introduced, the work of these community groups is more vital than ever. Isolation is a big problem, especially among the elderly who may be shielding and missing their families. A recent ONS survey said that half of adults aged over 65 who live alone reported feeling lonely. And it’s not just company people need. The Trussell Trust reported an 89% increase in the need for emergency food provision by April 2020.
Despite the pandemic hitting charities hard, Glasgow’s St Matt-hew’s Centre is a lifeline for people in need. Its Community Kitchen programme delivers both a weekly Community Meal and a Cooking at Home programme – delivering ingredients so that members can use them for online cooking classes. Not only does it engage people who feel isolated, but it gives them access to a FareShare Community Food Membership so that disused food doesn’t end up in landfill.
“The St Matthew’s Centre is a beating heart in its local community,” says centre manager Roisin. “The funding raised through The Health Lottery gives us the ability to deliver the consistent service our members require, as well as expanding into areas that we felt would become more pressing as Covid progressed.
“We’re incredibly proud of the work our small team has been able to carry out over the past 10 months, including the distribution of over 1,000 meals to local residents, ensuring that they see a friendly face and have a meal on us at a really difficult time.
“It has also been wonderful to offer continued employment to our sessional staff team at a time of financial insecurity for many.”
So if you’d like to help support charities like this, and be in with the chance to win thousands of pounds, then play The Health Lottery.