Shetland

Grieg Seafood joins Community Council to support elderly folk this Christmas

Grieg Seafood has been supporting the Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale Community Council with their Christmas initiative to support elderly folk. The project has exceeded all expectations and the amount of support their volunteers have been able to provide for the local community has expanded well beyond initial expectations.

Back in November 2020, the Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale Community Council got in touch with us about an idea they had for supporting elderly residents in their local community. With 2020 taking its toll as an unprecedented year many elderly residents are feeling more isolated than ever. The Community Council recognised that something had to be done.

The project provided Christmas cards, handmade by the local primary school children, and a voucher which could be redeemed at the local shops for people in the local area who are 80 or over.Andrew Archer, Chairperson for the TWW Community Council, told us that in the beginning they were hoping to raise about £700, which would allow them to give a £20 to around 35 people. When Grieg Seafood Shetlandheard about the project, we decided to donate £500 to the initiative.

When we started, I was really worried about what are we going to do if we don’t get enough money, but the first call we got was from Grieg Seafood which took a lot of our worries away!

Andrew Archer, Chairperson TWWCC

The Community Council received such a good response to their appeal that they raised more money than their initial target and decided to expand the project to help more people. They have been able to provide a Feel Good Bag for all local clients of the Mind Your Head mental health charity. Additionally, they have collaborated with the Citizens Advice Bureau to provide support for local residents experiencing financial hardship this festive period.

We need to say a huge thank you to all the people who have made this happen. Firstly, we need to say thank you to the staff and pupils of Tingwall and Whiteness primary schools for making all the cards. We also need to say a big thank you to all the businesses that donated to the project

Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale Community Council

The Community Council have decided to keep some of the money for summer 2021, where they hope to safely organise an event or outing for elderly locals. Normally they would host a Christmas dinner for local elderly folk, but this could not go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions.

To find out more, you can follow the Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale Community Council on Facebook here.