MEARNS KIRK HELPING HANDS  

To support the delivery of an elderly befriending service in the community of Newton Mearns thereby reducing social isolation and loneliness.

To contribute towards the salary costs of a part time Volunteer Coordinator, in order to increase the charity's capacity to manage their volunteers and programme of activities.

To contribute to the cost of room hire, refreshments, volunteer training and volunteer travel expenses to deliver weekly Strength and Balance classes for older people.

We would like to continue to support mental wellbeing in our community by providing opportunities for people to come together socially, to share food and companionship.

This group will use the funding to engage a project support worker to help them run their activities including social activities for older people.

We aim to provide a weekly breakfast club to bring together isolated older men for companionship and a balanced breakfast.

Befriending project for older people

This group will use the funding to continue and expand their piloted volunteer befriending service. The project will run for two years serving a wider geographic area and increasing capacity to ....more

This group will use the funding to continue and expand their piloted volunteer befriending service. The project will run for two years serving a wider geographic area and increasing capacity to support 52 people ages 65 years and over who are experiencing significant loneliness and isolation. Geographic delivery will expand from the pilot area of Newton Mearns to work with people from across East Renfrewshire and from neighbouring areas in Glasgow City.

To fund a breakfast club.

This group will use the funding to contribute towards salary costs for a volunteer coordinator post.

Mearns Kirk Helping Hands (MKHH) is a volunteer led charity providing support to Newton Mearns and the wider East Renfrewshire area, aiming to improve health and wellbeing and to reduce loneliness ....more

Mearns Kirk Helping Hands (MKHH) is a volunteer led charity providing support to Newton Mearns and the wider East Renfrewshire area, aiming to improve health and wellbeing and to reduce loneliness and isolation by the community helping itself. The Befriending Project is a new service deilvered as a one year pilot in the first instance. The Befriending Project will provide one to one volunteer befriending support, once a week, to 20 people aged 65 and over and experiencing social isolation. The befriending activity may take place at the home of the beneficiary or in the community. Volunteers will be fully supported in their activity by the staff team. The funding will be used to support the activitiy of a team of 15 volunteers, including travel and activity expenses, volunteer training, and advertising of the Project. The Project will help to build confidence, wellbeing and social networks for the beneficiaries. It will also improve their knowledge of other supports and services they can access. It will reduce loneliness and isolation and give enjoyment and motivation to those most isolated in our local community. For volunteers, the Project will build skills, knowledge and confidence around issues facing older, isolated or lonely people. It will increase their own social networks and give a sense of purpose. It will also be an enjoyable and sociable experience.

Mearns Kirk Helping Hands: Growing Community

To contribute to the costs of delivering Tai Chi sessions remotely and the delivery of a volunteer telephone befriending service to support socially isolated older people helping to reduce loneliness ....more

To contribute to the costs of delivering Tai Chi sessions remotely and the delivery of a volunteer telephone befriending service to support socially isolated older people helping to reduce loneliness and improve health and wellbeing for up to 245 benefici

Mearns Kirk Helping Hands Project Manager