ANEW day centre for over 55s has opened in the west of Glasgow.

Former employees from the now defunct Gatehouse centre, run by the Glasgow Old People’s Welfare Association (GOPWA), have opened their own facility to help their community.

Kelly McCandless and Gail Cooke worked for GOPWA at their Gatehouse centre in Anniesland for more than 20 years combined.

The facility had been running for decades before it closed its doors on September 30, 2016.

GOPWA cited increasing pressures for funding as the reason for closure, following a cut in their funding from Glasgow City Council.

Kelly and Gail wanted to make sure the people in the G13 area still had an easily accessible place to socialise and come together, so opened their own facility, also called the Gatehouse, last month.

Located at the former Community centre on Knightscliffe Avenue, the venue can accommodate dozens and is aimed at over 55s.

Gail, who worked for 16 years at the former Gatehouse centre before it closed down, said: “We wanted to make it for over 55s as there are as lot of people who went to other clubs, or places similar to day centres and they lost their funding.

“There’s an awful to of people floating about who don’t have anything to do.

“They might be depressed, or they may be just sitting wilting in the house. Our centre is not just a place for the elderly, it’s for a range of people.

“People can come and get some information on form filling, money advice as well as get hot food, and have a chat.

“We want to start a writing and drama group back up, and on Wednesdays the old centre used to have a reminiscence group.

“We’ll be doing exercising and art groups. It’s a whole range of things.”

Her husband John is a trained chef and will be preparing three course, freshly cooked meals for visitors.

John said: “Everyone has been very positive about what we’re doing.”

“When the old centre closed there was 120 people who were lost.

Some did go to other day care centres but there were a lot who didn’t have anywhere to go. We’re glad we will be able to help with that now.”

Kelly McCandless worked as a volunteer at the GOPWA centre for 2 years, after her mum started attending.

She eventually became a senior support worker and stayed at the facility for a further 8 years as staff. 

Kelly said: “My mum really got a huge amount from coming to the old day centre.

“She was eating again, making friends, she had a better social life than me.

“She was in the drama and writing group and it brought her out of her shell.

“We want to make sure people are able to do that in their community.”