Heritage Project Hailed a Big Success

Elderpark Housing proud to host exhibition from the “No. 1 Befriending Agency”

ELderpark Housing this week played host to a fascinating exhibition focusing on a project from the No.1 Befriending Agency.

We have strong links to the agency with both of us committing resources and energy into tackling isolation and loneliness among tenants and the wider community.

Now at the conclusion of a highly-successful “heritage project” run by the Agency, visitors to the exhibition held at our offices were able to discover life stories of people living in Glasgow.

The project has been an outstanding success capturing memories of childhood both in the city and from others who hail from far flung parts of the globe and who have made their home in Glasgow.

It had a number of key themes – food and drink, music, gardens and sleeping areas and living spaces.

A special film was shown at the exhibition recalling memories of days gone by when life, in some cases, was very different from how we live today. Participants found their involvement with the project was a productive way of engaging with other people – all with the desire to tackle loneliness and isolation.

One of those who participated, Maureen Grant said: “It was a wonderful project to be involved in. The No.1 Befriending Agency deserves huge praise for coming up with the initiative. It had a particular appeal to older people giving them the chance to look back at years gone by.”

The project took the form of virtual and in person events with talks, museum visits, art sessions, opportunities to reminisce and music.

The No.1 Befriending Agency runs a befriending service where trained volunteers visit isolated older people across Greater Glasgow and spend time with them for a chat, cuppa and to hear their stories. Group befriending in which volunteers and “befriendees” can mingle takes place through weekly online get togethers in addition to the perfectly-titled “Cup of Friendship” events.

Jonathan Giddings-Reid, our Community Regeneration Officer, said: “Given our close working relationship in recent years, it was highly appropriate that we hosted this exhibition at the culmination of this heritage project. The No.1 Befriending Agency does inspirational work and we share its key objectives in the drive to defeat loneliness and isolation across our communities.”

Pictured: Down memory lane….. those who attended the exhibition at Elderpark Housing with some of the No.1 Befriending Agency team.