Barrhead-based Tuesday Friendship Club have been short-listed to become one of the latest recipients of funding from Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect initiative – potentially being awarded up to £15,000 to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities in the local area.
Community Connect was launched last year and enables Scotmid members to award good cause groups in their local area with funding of up to £15,000, generated via the sale of single use carrier bags.
In Scotmid’s West Member Region – encompassing Glasgow and the west of Scotland – Tuesday Friendship Club are one of three good cause groups, who have been short-listed by a Scotmid member selection panel to receive a financial award of either £15,000, £7,500 or £2,500.
The other short-listed Good Cause Groups are Lanarkshire’s Trust Jack Foundation and Glasgow’s Finding Your Feet.
Scotmid members collect votes by swiping their Community Connect card after every in-store purchase and then cast their votes for their preferred good cause group either in-store or at Scotmid’s West Region Annual General Meeting in April.
Inspired to help her sister, who has learning disabilities, enjoy a high quality of life and form lasting friendships, The Tuesday Friendship Club is the vision of Chairperson Mags Monaghan, who is determined to provide adults with learning disabilities with stimulating, safe and fun nights out every Tuesday in Barrhead.
The club was formed in May 2016 and hundreds of people enjoy a wide variety of entertainment including bingo, karaoke and cabarets every Tuesday evening in Barrhead’s Columba Club.
The Community Connect Funding will be used to extend the support to individuals and families by providing respite caravan short-breaks in Ayrshire.
Chairperson Mags Monaghan said: “When we found out we had been short-listed by Scotmid for a Community Connect award we were totally overwhelmed.
“To get that level of recognition from outside about the work that we do and the difference we are making is fantastic.
“It is great that Scotmid believes in the initiative and the ethos of the club, which is all about people forming friendships and sustaining them.
“If we are successful and receive a Community Connect award then we plan on using the funding to offer a respite service for our members – that would entail hiring a caravan so that our members and care staff can enjoy a break.
“A lot of our members come from single-parent families, so have never experienced a holiday before, so this would make a positive difference to their lives.”