Glasgow’s Golden Generation, the leading charity in Scotland for elderly people, is looking for volunteers for its befriending service.

The charity, which previously operated under the name Glasgow Old People’s Welfare Association, has helped Glasgow’s elderly for over 70 years. Its objective is to decrease loneliness and social isolation in older adults in Scotland through operating services such as the befriending service, benefits service and daily activities.

Through research conducted by the Campaign to End loneliness, it was reported that 9 in 10 people in Glasgow now believe loneliness in older people is now ‘more likely than ever’.

The charity has set up the befriending service to combat that loneliness in Glasgow’s elderly, by matching older adults with a volunteer ‘befriender’.

The service encourages older adults to get out the house and back into the community, whether it be by a trip to the shops, company to a doctor’s appointment, or even a walk in the park.

Before Gloria McCourt was paired with her befriender, Helen Hirshell, she wasn’t eating and rarely left her flat.

“At first, she wasn’t that keen, but we’ve become quite good friends now”, said Helen.

“I take her to appointments, to get her hair cut. I took her on holiday to Blackpool – the weather was beautiful, and the dinners were lovely. She ate everything in sight. We went as friends, but it started from the befriending.

“I got her out, I’d take her to the club on Wednesday. I take her to church sometimes. She’s doing a lot better and she’s even had her house done up now.”

When Helen took retirement, she knew that she wanted to volunteer. It was in her local library that she saw the befriending poster and signed up to the service.

Anyone over 55 in Glasgow is eligible for the service, and in many cases, it is good for befriendee and brefriender. There are no set criteria for becoming a befriender, save for being united by the passion to end loneliness in adults. The role is checked, the PVG disclosure check is carried out, and the volunteer is ready to go.

“I saw the advert and thought I could help, because I can talk. I grew up in a family and there was 8 of us and I was talking all the time, used to talking about the olden days.

“I phoned up, and I was matched with Gloria. I got lucky!”

Gloria suffers from dementia, along with learning disabilities. Although she doesn’t say much, she has a dry sense of humour, a beautiful smile and she takes no prisoners.

“I’m very grateful for her help”, Gloria said of Helen. “I don’t need anything new now. Although I will need to get new curtains.”

Lorraine McNaughton, the befriending service co-ordinator, said they are looking for volunteers of all ages.

She said: “We’ve been putting up stalls everywhere and it’s amazing what they can do, especially now the colleges have ended.

“We’re getting so many referrals at the minute, and we have a waiting list.

“I’ve been a single parent, and I needed help before. People are scared to say sometimes that they need family support. I understand it. But there is help for everybody out there – you just need to ask for it.”