Funding received from the Department for Transport for ‘Tackling Loneliness with Transport’ grant has enabled us to increase our minibus outings, targeting different groups of people to enable everyone to benefit. Dates and venues for our Autumn-Winter Shared Outings trips are out now. We have trips suitable for mixed groups; recently bereaved people; people with […]
Got a gardening question? Need a little guidance? Share knowledge, stories, ideas, maybe even seedlings and cuttings. More information We look forward to seeing you on the first Friday of the month from 10.30am-11.30am. Gardening Club is free if you are already attending our Friday Drop-In Coffee Morning at St Mary’s Community Centre or £2.50 if you […]
By Ellie Dawson Four volunteers, three generations, one family. For John, Cynthia, Chris, and Joe, being a part of Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme CIO has sort of become a family tradition. “It’s amazing how the scheme has grown over the years, everyone is always so friendly. Around the time of John’s retirement, […]
By Ellie Dawson From driving boats for millionaires to minibuses for charity. Doug MacQueen says his life was mapped out for him since the age of five. Doug, 72, has been driving boats the majority of his life. He says his Granny was his inspiration. She ran pleasure boats in Oban on the west coast […]
By Ellie Dawson At Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme CIO, the befriending service provides company. Whether it’s just a phone call, going for a walk, or a coffee, this service often blossoms into friendships. David Smith, now a trustee at Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme CIO, was asked to be Paul […]
By Ellie Dawson The new intergenerational project funded by Time to Shine, focuses on different generations learning from each other. Giving our digital inclusion coordinator, Sam, a new focus. College students Ayesha, Rennah, Maryam, Joe, and university student Casey, got together last week to start the six-week programme. Using their spare time this summer holiday […]
By Ellie Dawson Technology has played a vital part in tackling loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people who are older or vulnerable have faced long periods of shielding, and have been unable to see their loved ones. For many of us, technology offered our only way of contact. Samantha Haggart is the Digital Co-ordinator […]
By Raymond Tennant – a member of our creative writing group. You’re now retired, or at home with time on your hands. Now, you’re free to do as you please. I have personal experience of Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours’ Scheme CIO where I developed a liking for strumming a ukulele and singing popular songs […]
By Ellie Dawson John Freer, 79, has spent most of his retirement years doing his favourite things – knitting and gardening. Although knitting has been a particular staple in his life from a remarkably young age. “I’ve had quite an interesting life,” says John. John spent part of his early childhood in a child orphanage […]
From making cards, and Easter and Christmas gifts together, to puzzles, colouring, painting, and quizzes over zoom, Amanda Brown, our art tutor, has kept the ‘arts and crafters’ of Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme CIO entertained during lockdown. Amanda moved to Leeds from Scotland in 1987, and dedicated her time to community arts […]
