The Scottish Government has promised a six-figure fund to help combat the scourge of loneliness and social isolation across Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil visited Dundee to announce a £548,000 cash injection aimed at making life more enjoyable for some of the country’s most isolated people.
A host of voluntary groups will benefit from the launch of the national Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund including local food delivery group Meal Makers.
Loneliness has been linked to a number of conditions including depression and dementia and 10% of older people admit they often suffer from it.
Mr Neil visited the home of Patrick Etchels, a Dundee stroke victim who receives weekly homemade meals from volunteer Paul Boyle.
The MSP revealed he became inspired to help charities like Meal Makers after learning the true extent of loneliness and isolation across Scotland.
He said: “The impact loneliness and social isolation can have on people’s health can be really bad.
“For example, with older people, a lot of people think the biggest problem in Scotland is dementia. But it is actually depression. Very often the depression is brought on by social isolation.
“What organisations like the Food Train do by putting Paul and Paddy together is, apart from the fact Paddy gets a meal out of it every Friday, he also gets the company. That’s part and parcel of improving Paddy’s health as well as making sure that he’s not alone, sitting all day every day with nobody to talk to.
“It’s all about trying to make sure that folk, no matter what their age group, don’t become lonely.”
As part of the national grant, Meal Makers will receive a £50,000 boost to extend their service to other parts of the country.
Mr Etchels, 62, admitted the service combined with seeing Paul every week had improved his outlook on life.
He said: “As Alex says, it’s company for me. It makes a big difference to my week.”
Volunteer Paul said: “For me it was a no brainer because I live by myself and always have food left over. I look forward to a Friday and coming up to see Paddy to find out how he’s getting on.”
The SILF will provide £300,000 to new schemes and boost existing charities by £248,000.