Caring charity Cosgrove praised for providing lifeline support to East Renfrewshire’s most vulnerable people

Cosgrove helps improve the lives of people with additional needs and their families so that they have the same opportunities as everyone else, providing support, advice and information across Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire.

As soon as the COVID-19 crisis started to affect daily life, Cosgrove initiated a Community Support plan, where those in the local community in need of assistance could be matched up with willing volunteers to assist with tasks such as shopping, collecting prescriptions and other errands that are impossible while self isolating.

Cosgrove also established a telephone befriending service to provide a connection to the outside world for those unable to socialise or even go outside as usual, and a signposting service to provide advice and reassurance.

The services provided by the charity have proved invaluable to many, including Estelle, a pensioner living in Giffnock with her husband. #

Since Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, she has been unable to leave her house, and relies on Cosgrove for assistance with shopping, postal errands and prescriptions.

Estelle also uses Cosgrove’s telephone befriending service to have contact with the outside world and keep her connected.

Her father suffers from Parkinsons and lives a couple of miles away from her, but due to the lockdown she has been unable to assist him, and has had to rely on Cosgrove volunteers providing a service to ensure he has all the appropriate provisions.

Estelle said: “Cosgrove’s volunteer team has been an essential service in order for me to be able to stay safe during the lockdown.

“From a befriending service that allows me to have a conversation with someone a couple of times a week, to volunteers that do their best provide shopping essentials, I am very grateful for their assistance.”

Gordon, a pensioner living in Clarkston, has also been supported by Cosgrove whil in self-isolation.

He relies on Cosgrove to assist him with shopping, a friendly chat over the phone, and keeping him informed on whats happening in the local community.

Gordon: “I would normally go out and do my own shopping, and meet up with friends at the social club, but because of the COVID-19 crisis I rely on Cosgrove to do my shopping and provide a friendly person to speak to through their telephone service.

“It’s an excellent and happy service that brings a bit of brightness at the moment. Thank you Cosgrove!”

Cosgrove volunteers are helping hundreds of others in similar situations during the COVID-19 crisis.

It has launched an emergency appeal to to raise funds to help its support workers, carers and volunteers to continue their amazing work.

You can find out more about the appeal, and how to donate at Cosgrove Emergency Appeal