Day Centers for Older People in Glasgow

Who are we?

Glasgow's Golden Generation (GGG) was establish just after the war in 1948 to tackle loneliness and today GGG still works to alleviate the effects of poverty, loneliness and isolation in older adults across Greater Glasgow. 

Glasgow’s Golden Generation offers a range of support to Glasgow’s older population.

GGG runs three Day Care Centres, which focus on reducing loneliness and social isolation through activities, a three course lunch and entertainment during the week.

We also provide a Befriending Service where trained volunteers visit older adults in their homes, aiming to keep their clients more active and involved in their communities.

GGG supports  a network of weekly social clubs throughout Glasgow, providing a chance for the older adults to meet up regularly with peers.

In direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic, GGG introduced a new service to older adults. We rolled out a digital project which ensures older adults have access to technology, the internet and also a dedicated GGG app.

Finally, we offer professional benefits advice through our GGG Careline. Our skilled team of Benefits Advice and Welfare Officers can guide you through the complicated benefits system and help you apply for a range of benefits and entitlements.

Community impact

The charity runs three day care centres across Glasgow, all of which focus on reducing loneliness and social isolation in older adults. Staff across the centres are experienced which helps to create a caring environment. Each centre has its own programme of activities including: 

• art classes
• armchair exercises
• bingo
• carpet bowls
• gardening
• music therapy
• reminiscence activities
• and much more!

Minibuses collect service users to take them to centres from door to door. On arrival centre users enjoy a light breakfast followed by an activity then a 3 course meal together. In the afternoon another activity is followed by tea and coffee before everyone is dropped off home.

It costs £13 to attend per person per day and depending on availability it is possible to attend for multiple days each week.

Up to 150 older adults can attend our day centres every day and we have seen a steady increase in numbers over the past few months. Service users are telling us they are not able to go out as often and have to cut back on social activities, so our day centres which combine a hot meal with social activities are perfect for them.

The day centres are a core aspect of our work but have become more important than ever during the current cost of living crisis. Our service users are telling us that by attending the day centre, it helps them reduce costs at home as they don’t need to heat their homes while they’re out. Because they have a 3 course meal at the centre they can eat a smaller meal at night. 

“It's a warm space to spend time with friends and I get a meal so don't have to buy so much.”

Why are we crowdfunding?

GGG has seen a sharp increase in energy, food and fuel costs over the past few months and this is only set to get worse. The ongoing cost of living crisis is impacting the charity and the work we can do – without external funding we simply can’t support older adults in Glasgow so we need your help. The Day Centres are supporting older people and helping them manage the economic crisis as they can save money on food costs and energy by attending so we do not want the charity's struggles for funding to impact on the service they receive. Support from you will enable GGG to provide this essential service without impacting our older people.

How we’ll spend the money raised

The money raised through this Crowdfunder will be used to keep GGG’s doors open throughout the winter months. The funding will be crucial to the charity and our older adults over the next few months as temperatures drop and costs soar. GGG want to continue to provide the transport that brings people into the centers, a healthy and hearty home-cooked three course meal and lots of activities which keep everyone mentally and physically active. The Day Centres provide friendship and companionship and stop older adults being lonely and isolated at home.