Cosgrove Care thanks the Southside for their support on their 60th Anniversary

The contribution of the local community through providing assistance as volunteers and supporting Cosgrove’s Emergency Appeal has helped to ensure that Cosgrove has been able to adapt to new ways of working effectively over the past year as we respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This includes adapting its core work in providing essential support to children and adults with learning disabilities and their families, as well as older people in the community.

It has been able to introduce an Outdoor Playscheme for children with additional needs, an online Creative Hub which has allowed them to connect people isolated by COVID-19 and take part in a range of creative activities.

2020 was Cosgrove’s 60th anniversary and plans to celebrate have had to be adapted.

Heather Gray, Cosgrove’s Chief Executive said: “2020 was to be a year of celebration for our charity which has worked in the southside community for six decades. We have felt the support, warmth and care of the community as we have worked to find new and innovative ways to provide vital support to those in need locally. We simply could not have achieved this without the incredible local volunteers, dedicated staff and funding support that we have received and we want to say thank you to everyone who has stepped up to the mark to help us support local people.”

Additionally, when social distancing measures came into place, Cosgrove Care quickly responded to the challenges this presented, utilising the tremendous community spirit to recruit additional volunteers, including local students from Mearns Academy, Hutchesons’ Grammar School and Strathclyde University as well as MSPs and local community members to distribute shopping assistance, food parcels, telephone befriending, and sign posting information to older people and families.

To date over 2,300 engagements of support to local families have been made, and in many cases, this has been an essential part of assisting those who are vulnerable at this time be able to effectively shield and keep themselves safe.

“Cosgrove has been a literal lifesaver through the pandemic and I can’t thank you enough. I would have really struggled without you…my family are miles away. Thank you!” – Gordon, Clarkston

Cosgrove has also quickly established new ways to keep people it supports connected such asthe online Creative Hub, where people can see their friends and take part in skills development activities, such as arts, drama, and keep fit activities with trained facilitators and packs delivered to support activities.

Cosgrove were also able to quickly re-establish 6 weeks of summer and October holiday playscheme to children with additional needs age 5-12.

The children enjoyed connecting with their friends and playscheme activities so much that we have now established Weekend Warriors, providing extra support to children and families.

In a strategic partnership with Young Enterprise Scotland at Rouken Glen, Cosgrove also have a new outdoor space, which has enabled us to deliver services in new ways, such as opportunity for more outdoor play and learning.

It is also thrilled to enhance Employ Me, the supported youth employment programme by establishing a skills development hub, which includes a customised classroom space and opportunity to gain work placement opportunities and work towards ASDAN and SVQ opportunities.

Over the autumn months, young people have been involved in horticulture work, re-purposing a large, heated greenhouse, which will provide year-round growing (and learning!) opportunities.

Support came from the Isabella Memorial Trust to deliver this vital work.

“Under the circumstances, Cosgrove has helped me a lot. They have given me a laptop which means I can now attend all the zoom classes. They also provided afternoon tea on one occasion! All in all, I am very grateful for the help I have received from Cosgrove.” – Murray, Newton Mearns

Cosgrove is now planning for the continued development of our work in the local community, ensuring that we can provide the best possible support for our most vulnerable neighbours. This year Cosgrove appointed The Right Hon. Jim Murphy as a Trustee.

Jim said of his appointment: “Throughout my time in Parliament I was always impressed by Cosgrove’s work in supporting the most vulnerable in the local community. Throughout the pandemic that work has become a lifeline for so many and as the organisation grows and changes I thought I should get more involved and become a Trustee. I’m delighted to be able to play a small part in Cosgrove’s future success.”

Cosgrove continues to deliver services in new and safe ways, and it would like to thank the community for their ongoing support.

To get involved with Cosgrove Care either to volunteer or donate please contact [email protected] / 0141 620 2500.

You can donate to Cosgrove’s Emergency Appeal here