Abronhill Seniors Group Marks Special Occasion for Committed Volunteer as Era Ends

Members of Abronhill Senior Citizens Group acknowledged a very special occasion for one of its most dedicated and longstanding committee members at the organisation’s recent Annual General Meeting in Cumbernauld.

Organisation Secretary Betty Waddle was presented with a cake, gifts and best wishes from all to celebrate her 90th birthday at the meeting, which took place at Cornerstone House Centre on Tuesday 26 February 2019 and was attended by 25 local citizens and members.

Betty has selflessly volunteered her time to support the facilitation and development of the Group for 25 years. As an office bearer, her steadfast commitment and efforts helped the organisation sustain and provide opportunities, activities and companionship for many senior citizens over a period of longevity.  

The Annual General Meeting also marked the end of an era for Abronhill Senior Citizens Group, which has taken a decision to dissolve after more than 30 years of operation. The Group has coordinated a range of social activities, gatherings and interactions for hundreds of older people living in the Abronhill area of Cumbernauld during that time, helping to combat loneliness and isolation, improve local health and wellbeing and bring joy and friendship for its members and participants.

Given the Group’s ageing membership and other relevant factors, members determined that going forward older adults in Abronhill would be better served by linking to other structured and funded organisations targeted at improving quality of life. The local partnership responsible for ensuring joint integration of health and social care services, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, invests in a number of voluntary sector organisations with a view to providing services and supports for older people in Cumbernauld.

One such organisation is Cornerstone House Centre, which is currently facilitating a pilot Shopmobility Scheme for Cumbernauld Town Centre, through which local citizens with health and mobility issues can hire one of two available electric scooters free of charge to assist with their shopping. It is anticipated that with appropriate further support, this Service will be rolled out on a full and permanent basis from later this year. Cornerstone House Centre also launched a new Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub in February 2019.

Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, commented: “Volunteers such as Betty and organisations such as Abronhill Senior Citizens Group have been invaluable in giving purpose, structure and help to older people living in Cumbernauld.

“We hope that Cornerstone House Centre and others local organisation can work strongly together over the coming period to help fill any gaps left by this Group’s dissolution.”

Other organisations delivering provisions for older people in the Cumbernauld area include Abronhill Learning Trust, CACE Older People Active Lives, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Citizens Advice Bureau, Cumbernauld Poverty Action, Drop In Café, North Lanarkshire Care and Repair and a variety of local Lunch Clubs, amongst others.

For further information on developing activities and services for older people in the local area, please contact Cornerstone House Centre on 01236 739022 or email health@cornerstone-house.org.uk.