ELDERLY residents in the west of the city were full of good cheer after receiving their first ‘Glad Bag’ from staff and volunteers of the West Worcester Live at Home Scheme.
The Glad Bags is a project which aims to deliver 120 bags of life’s other essentials over the next two months, containing an array of goodies to people who at this time are the most isolated of all – namely the elderly.
The vast majority of the people who benefit from the project are over 80 years of age, live alone and are the most vulnerable physically and mentally at this time.
Each bag contained well-being essentials such as cake, chocolate, plants, books, crosswords, toiletries as well as other items such as bunting and handmade cards.
The first bag drop took place on Thursday (May 7) in time for the VE Day commemorations and came as a surprise for many local residents.
One of those receiving a bag was Joan Salisbury who received her lifeline from Coun Richard Udall who alongside Worcestershire Community Foundation funded the project.
“I was feeling a little low and when the gift arrived I couldn’t help but shed a few tears of gratitude. It was so nice to know that people care,” she said.
Coun Udall said: “I was delighted to support and help West Worcester Live at Home with their Glad Bags, they really brought a smile to the faces of a lot of elderly and vulnerable people in St John’s.
“The team do a great job and by keeping in contact with their members, they have become a real lifeline.
Children from Pitmaston and Whittington Primary school supported the scheme by making bunting and postcards with personalised messages and there were also donations from Morrison’s and members of the public.
Scheme chiefs have now appealed for more donations ahead of the next round of donations later this month and are on the lookout for chocolates, sweets, cakes, biscuits, tea or coffee, magazines, small gifts and toiletries among other items.
E-mail [email protected] or call 07541 655210 for more.
