A small Kirriemuir team are offering a lifeline service to around 100 of the most vulnerable adults in and around the Angus town.
The Kirriemuir Day Centre workers have been offering an outreach service in their minibus since lockdown restrictions forced the team to close their headquarters.
Staff thanked the local Co-op, which has been providing discounted food for delivery to those most in need.
Alex Rae, chair of the centre, said the “writing was on the wall” for the physical space as soon as social distancing restrictions started to be introduced.
He said the team of three full time members of staff, seven part time, and a cook were determined to set up a replacement service.
He said: “The reaction has been absolutely super. At the very least, elderly members get to speak to someone on a daily basis and we can check that they are ok.
“We had a meeting just before we had to close. We were aware that things were getting grim. The staff were very keen to do something else.”
He said the mini-bus was previously used to transport local people to the centre.
“The staff – under manager Ashley McIntosh – now contact them all at least weekly, and the more vulnerable daily, with requests for messages, medicines being picked up for them.
“Each day sandwiches, soup, home baking are packaged up and the mini-bus is used to deliver daily to those members who have no other individuals to support them.”
He thanked staff at the local Co-op for providing much-needed supplies.
“They have assisted our staff by not just ensuring items are available for us in the morning but providing these at a discounted price.
“Their contribution really assists us as a charity and is very much appreciated by both the centre and all those elderly members within the community.”
Co-op staff in the Barnhill store in Broughty Ferry this week delivered their 400th food bag to local foodbanks.
Paul Dolan, Co-op store manager, said: “The Kirriemuir Day Centre is providing a lifeline for so many in the community and we are proud to have been able to support the vital work they are doing at this unprecedented time.
“The community support us all year round and this is our way to pay our loyal customers back for all their support,” he added.
