WITH much of the most vulnerable and elderly Helensburgh and Lomond population having now received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination, there is cause for cautious optimism for the future.

However, while restrictions remain in place, limiting social gatherings, or indeed a return to any sense of normality for some time yet, there still exists a vital local support network to help older people through the struggles of the pandemic.

Grey Matters Active Ageing became a charity in 2019 and its town centre hub was opened in West Princes Street last autumn, although members - of which there are more than 200, aged between 60 and 95-years-old - have been unable to meet face-to-face at the new premises.

The group has a full weekly programme of activities which are currently taking place online, over the phone and by way of activity packs delivered to the community.

While the health crisis hit the older population hard, Grey Matters has offered a lifeline to those who have been forced to shield for months or who have suffered in isolation.

Member Linda O’Connor said: “The Grey Matters Active Ageing group is such a tonic, everyone has a happy, young outlook, even our 95-year-old has such a zest for life that it is infectious.

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“Alison [Gildea, the group’s co-ordinator] is such a caring person and looks after us all like a mother hen.

“You feel you belong. Nobody ever feels lonely.”

Fellow long-term member, Irene Stephenson, added: “Grey Matters has been a lifeline for me and my friends.

“Through Zoom calls I have been able to keep in contact with them. I looked forward to receiving the goody bags with a variety of projects to keep me busy and join others online where we could chat and talk about any concerns we had and of course lots of laughter, this really helped my mental health.

“I was feeling quite anxious when the lockdown was announced but thanks to Grey Matters being there it has helped me to cope during this crisis.”

Despite a turbulent 2020 there were plenty of highlights for the local group - and focus is gradually turning to more positive events expected this year.

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These include the provision of around 600 activity packs featuring gardening activities, puzzle books, baking, cooking, crafts and wool; a home baking competition in which Keith Jackson was crowned ‘master baker’; deliveries of afternoon teas and Christmas meals; offering help with groceries and prescription collection during lockdown; and the telephone buddy system which ensured everyone stayed connected while apart from each other.

Alongside an active Facebook page the organisation also runs weekly coffee mornings, art classes and knitting groups, while mindfulness sessions, fitness classes, quizzes, pottery painting and pamper nights have also taken place.

Trustees say their intervention has helped with members’ mental and physical health and has “greatly reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation”.

They are planning to host a variety of groups in the new Helensburgh centre every day of the week, when members are allowed to meet again.

For more information about the project, search for ‘Grey Matters - Active Ageing’ on Facebook or email gmactiveageing@gmail.com.

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