Walking buddies wanted to help dementia campaign
Construction of the first opening road bridge over the River Clyde has taken a step forward as new dolphins have been installed into position.
The dolphins are steel structures which are the latest part of the project to be completed and provide the additional safety infrastructure required for boats moving along the river past the new bridge.
The structures took five months to create and were cut, welded and assembled by steel fabricating company Had Fab.
Using 100-tonne cranes, the dolphins were lifted onto a transporter at Westway in Renfrew then onto a barge which sailed down the White Cart, onto the Clyde and into their final positions.
Four dolphins were installed to support vessels up to 160 metres in length.
Greg Scott, managing director at Had Fab said: “This is a flagship infrastructure project for Renfrewshire that will regenerate the Clyde waterfront and Had Fab is hugely proud to be part of such an iconic construction that will deliver economic growth, create a vibrant waterfront and transform the Glasgow City Region.”
The blasting and painting of the dolphins was commissioned by Had Fab to Renfrewshire company Clyde Corrosion Control – based at Westway and part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).
Managing director Jamie Lowson said: “A lot of our workers are local and it will give them pride to see their work as part of such a substantial infrastructure project.
“I think the new bridge is a great investment as it improves the local transport infrastructure and provides a link between Renfrew and Clydebank that was not there before – giving people the option to walk, cycle or drive between the two towns and access health, social and work benefits on both sides of the river.”
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project aims to regenerate the Clyde waterfront with the bridge from Renfrew to Yoker, as well as additional connecting roads, cycling and walking routes.
It will create better connectivity for communities, attract new jobs and developments to the riverside and enhance the access for businesses and suppliers to Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation AMIDS.
The bridge is due to arrive in two separate sections this month and in May and it will then be installed and commissioned on site before opening to the public later in the year.
Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said:“The bridge is going to be transformative for Renfrew, Clydebank and the surrounding areas with enhanced connectivity for local people, visitors and businesses, including supporting a new route into the AMIDS.”
The Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project is funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
UK Government minister for Scotland, John Lamont MP, said: “The UK Government is proud to be investing £39 million in the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside scheme, part of our £523m investment into the Glasgow City Region Deal, and more than £3 billion for levelling up across Scotland.”
A new campaign has been launched to seek volunteers and participants for a successful project which provides one-to-one support for individuals living with dementia.
East Renfrewshire Carers Centre (ERCC) has been running Dementia Walking Buddies (DWB) since last year.
The scheme allows those with the condition to go on a health and wellbeing walk on a weekly basis.
It not only benefits the person living with dementia but also gives his or her carer some time for themselves.
With the weather now improving and people being more able to get out and enjoy walking, ERCC’s volunteer coordinator Farah Maiza is hoping to increase the number of people involved.
Farah said: “Many people living with dementia have difficulty negotiating walks and could benefit from some company and support.
“DWB will offer the participants a range of benefits, including improved confidence and communication skills, plus increased mobility and fitness.
“In addition, participants will feel they have something to contribute to their community by sharing knowledge through conversation.”
Those taking part benefit from a visit once a week by a trained and friendly volunteer who will then accompany them on a walk and return them back home safely.
“We carefully match the participant with a volunteer based on shared hobbies and interests,” added Farah.
To be eligible, the participant and his or her carer must live under the same roof within East Renfrewshire.
The participant also needs to have good mobility.
Volunteers are not paid and, therefore, they cannot provide any form of personal care or help with medication, do household tasks such as cleaning, tidying or meal preparation, or help with mail/finance or completing forms.
The DWB service is available free of charge.
If you think a dementia walking buddy might be for you or someone you know, contact Farah by emailing farah@ eastrenfrewshirecarers. co.uk or calling 07467 070169.