A charity which provides lifeline shopping and befriending services for older people is expanding in Perth.
Food Train is recruiting members and volunteers in and around the city after securing funding from The Gannochy Trust to help residents aged 65 and over to live better lives in their own homes.
That will include the launch of its award-winning home shopping and delivery service as well as the growth of currently available meal sharing and befriending activity.
Food Train, acclaimed for its work to tackle malnutrition and loneliness among older people and for the way it responded to unprecedented demand since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, already provides local services in 10 other Scottish local authority areas.
The expansion of the home shopping service into Perth, which supporters hope will be a stepping stone towards rolling out across the region, is being overseen by the charity’s Dundee team.
Lorna Dunbar has been recruited as Food Train’s development officer for Perth and Kinross.
She said: “Food Train has a well-established track record of improving the lives of older people and it will make a significant difference to those aged 65 and over across Perth and Kinross.
“Having food delivered straight to your door by our volunteers will be of such benefit to older people for whom doing their own shopping can be really challenging, or simply impossible.
“They can enjoy a wide variety of food without having to worry about how to get it home.
“Our volunteers will also provide a regular, friendly face – so important to those who may be lonely and socially isolated.”
Grant Simmons, who has led Food Train’s work in Dundee for the past decade, is managing the expansion.
He said: “With the vital support of our volunteers, Food Train brings people together through food, ensuring that by eating well, they live well through services which address specific needs in our communities.
“We would encourage anyone interested in learning about the volunteering opportunities we have available to get in-touch. If you’ve time to take a shopping list over the phone, help make up grocery orders in store, help deliver to our customers at home, or cook an extra portion of dinner and deliver to someone nearby, then we’d love to hear from you.”
Older people interested in becoming Food Train members can sign up now.
To register as a volunteer or to find out about how you may be able to benefit from Food Train’s services email pk@thefoodtrain.co.uk or call 01382 810944.
More details about the charity can be found at www.thefoodtrain.co.uk
