A HELENSBURGH and Lomond social group for older people has been reaping the benefits of modern technology to stave off loneliness in lockdown.

Members of Grey Matters Active Ageing haven’t been able to hold their regular Saturday morning meetings at the Guide Hall in John Street ever since lockdown limits came into force in March.

However, with the popularity of Zoom chats booming throughout lockdown, members of Grey Matters have taken to online web chats to keep in touch with each other and fend off the loneliness of lockdown.

As reported in the Advertiser recently, Grey Matters has received £10,000 from the National Lottery's Community Fund to support its efforts to tackle lockdown loneliness.

Made up of residents placed in the highest risk to Covid-19 category, the group's Zoom meetings are a life saver for those that could go a while without seeing another person.

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During one of their calls, one resident spoke of its benefits: “You get to see people for a start, and we always like a laugh. Laughter is always good.”

Another added: “We talk about anything – where to get food, who’s got what, where’s best to go for things.”

Consciousness of the effects of loneliness was brought to the forefront of the local community last month with Loneliness Awareness Week.

According to a Scottish Household Survey, 11 per cent of Scottish adults said that they feel lonely often, and 34 per cent feel lonely sometimes. This will have an even worse effect on those who are cut off from society, shielding from Covid-19.

Grey Matters has recently received funding for several activity packs to be sent out to members to be completed over Zoom, including an arts and crafts package as well as a baking kit.

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The baking kit has proved most popular, as members pit their cooking skills against each other in a message of support and solidarity against the circumstances that they have found themselves in.

“It’s good to know you’ve got support,” one member said over Zoom. “You’ve people here, and if some can’t get on to the webcam chat then we make sure to give them a wee call over the phone.”

And Grey Matters coordinator Alison Gildea has become a favourite for the involved residents over the months of lockdown.

Another member added: “If you need something, you contact Alison. She’d put you in the right direction. She cares about us all, she’s our hero. A local hero.

“It’s been a godsend having this connection.”

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Alison said: “Members of Grey Matters feel like family, so it is hard not being able to see everyone.

"The online activities such as Zoom and messenger groups allow me to see them and to hear how they are getting on at the same time.

“Feedback from members joining in on the chats has been heart-warming.

"Loneliness and isolation is bad enough normally but the restrictions of lockdown just add to it.

"It’s great to feel that we are helping people to connect not only to each other but to their community.”

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