FIVE days a week, the Fred Paton Centre in Woodside provides a lifeline for Glasgow's elderly, offering a daily hot meal, companionship and a range of stimulating activities.

Meet the staff who make sure everything runs like clockwork.

THE VOLUNTEER

Lawrence Traynor, 48, from Anderston.

"I've been with the charity for 18 years, at the Fred Paton Centre. I used to work in the kitchen and I also did the escorting.

"I just help out where I'm needed.

"Sometimes I just sit and chat to the pensioners. Some have dementia.

"I do the football scratch cards and they can win £20 and I also do the bar. The favourite drinks are whisky and Guinness.

"It's good to help out.

"When the other centre closed, a lot of people came here so I'm still getting to know a lot of them."

THE OFFICE MANAGER

Annette Hooton, 33, from Knightswood.

"I handle all the admin at the centre, two days a week, but like all the volunteers, help out wherever I'm needed.

"It's always been a mix of jobs. I can be working in the office answering the phones.

"I give everyone a warm welcome when they come in.

"You can't miss the bingo. There is a woman who comes in who used to be a professional table tennis player.

"We have dominoes, DJs, drama, singers coming in.

"I love the environment. Most of the service users have some form of dementia and we are a dementia focussed centre.

"We got a new lock on the door to stop people walking out.

"I'm doing a degree at the moment and I want to add mental health into it.

"I do get on well with the clients. Patience is a big thing."

THE ARTIST

Iain McAuley, 50, from Milngavie.

"I run two art classes every week at the centre. I got my degree in 2015 from Glasgow Kelvin College and Duncan of Jordanstone.

"I always liked art and didn't go anything about it at school, then I got married and had kids.

"I was very seriously ill and that was the changing moment.

"I teach them painting and drawing. I draw the pictures and they paint it in.

"The majority are ladies and we have got some great people.

"I think it's a great escape and it helps their concentration. It's quite relaxing and therapeutic.

"It's great fun and I thoroughly enjoy it."

THE SUPPORT WORKER

Elsie Elliott, 63,from Blairdardie.

"I'm a senior support worker and I've been with GOPWA for 12 years.

"I used to work at the Donald Dewar centre before it closed and now I'm at the Fred Paton Centre, five days a week.

"I'm a driver, I help out with the activities or if they need help in the kitchen.

"A bit of everything. We used to take them to Firhill to the football but that stopped.

"My husband Richard is also involved with the charity. He picks patients up with health problems and takes them to appointments.

"I just think of them all as equal. You get to know their differences. Some people are cheerier. You find the patience.

"You have to find out what they are interested in.

"I love my job. You go home every day and you feel as if you have done a worthwhile job for the community.

"It makes my day. You can't be moody, you have to be easy going, you have to be cheery.

"Losing people can be hard."

THE COOK

Isobel Carrick, 53, from Whiteinch.

"I'm been working as a cook at Fred Paton for a year and a half. Before that I worked in the schools. The kids were much harder work.

"I just love cooking and I love the atmosphere here.

"They like the basics - mince, chicken and homemade soup."