Blog: Wee Grants make a big difference across Scotland

It’s always amazing to hear about the difference that Age Scotland member groups make to older people in their areas with even a small amount of funding.

Age Scotland's Wee Grants, Big Difference Grant programme saw 122 member groups make a positive impact with grants from £250 to £500.  Here is a wee taste of the big impact from North to South…

Scalloway Youth & Community Centre, Shetland employed exercise tutors to run gentle exercises for older people during their weekly club sessions. The grant gave a boost to all those in attendance. Improving health & wellbeing and taking part as a group built on their friendships and confidence.

Ormlie Community Association, Thurso supported their ‘Silver activities’. Comment from attendee: “A lovely group I look forward to each week, it’s great catching up with friends over a cuppa and crafts.’

Sounds Familiar provide regular musical sessions for people with dementia and their carers in Inverness.  “My father who is 92 has vascular dementia and can understand very little and not express himself but his sessions with Sounds Familiar bring him to life.  He is entranced by the music and sings along with such animation that I rarely see these days.”

Fraserburgh & District Men’s Shed bought cooking equipment and utensils to prepare and serve nutritious and warming food to members. They are also running ‘Confidence To Cooking’ sessions in conjunction with NHS Grampian, helping to address preparing easy to cook food that is nutritious and affordable.

Stirling4Community organised an outing for lunch club attendees.  went to the local theatre to see a production of the Wiz of Oz, an all singing, all dancing, ‘banterlicious’ family show with a first-class professional cast. It was “a rare treat”.  “We all had a lovely afternoon of fun and laughter”.

Active Seniors in Glasgow held two entertainment afternoons, where 70 members enjoyed karaoke, dancing and a ‘high tea’. Feedback was so positive that there are hopes they can become a regular fixture!

The Bangla Centre used the funding to organise the ‘Generation Face to Face’ event, bringing older people to engage with the younger generation to mitigate loneliness. “I was so excited to share my childhood memory especially my favourite game called 'kabaddi' with the young pupils, and I was surprised how the young reacted to this.”

Bute Advice Centre’s grant towards transport allowed them to offer enhanced services to older people, delivering an in-person outreach support around maximising incomes for older people. “I thought if I got my state pension then that was all I was entitled to, I was so pleased to find out about pension credit, this will make such a difference”.

Forth Valley Men’s Shed purchased T-shirts for members with the Shed logo and organised a celebration meal. “I’ve never wanted to go out since my wife died, however I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and even met some older friends I hadn’t seen for years’’.

Lanark Men’s Shed used the grant to pay towards Machinery Awareness Training for 16 members. Members benefited by having a greater Health & Safety knowledge of how to operate various woodworking machines.

G64 Community in East Dunbartonshire held Hallowe’en and Christmas parties which were enjoyed by 46 clients. The grant covered expenses for hiring of the venue, catering and Christmas gifts. 22 clients who were unable to attend these parties were given gifts at a later stage to ensure they were still included.

Find out more about how we support community groups across Scotland here.