Age Concern Hurlford
The group has been awarded for their efforts in providing services, friendship and community spirit to older people in Ayrshire for 50 years.
Member group of the year 2022
Age Concern Hurlford has won Age Scotland's member group of the year award.
The award, sponsored by PSR Scotland, was presented to the Ayrshire group at Age Scotland's national awards ceremony in Glasgow.
Age Concern Hurlford began after a chance conversation in the local Co-op in the early 1970s between a councillor and a church minister about the lack of activities for older people in the village.
Now the club has more than 100 members from the village and beyond who get together to play bowls, knit and natter, enjoy live entertainment and have a cup of tea and a blether.
The club also organises bus trips, a Christmas dinner and lunches for special occasions – there’s a big lunch planned to celebrate the group’s 50th anniversary later this year.
Aware of the importance of keeping people informed, Age Concern Hurlford holds information days to talk about issues that affect older people, such as the recent introduction of integrated smoke alarms. The group arranged installation of the alarms too.
Jim Slinger, a member of Age Concern Hurlford, said:
"What an honour to be named Age Scotland Member Group Of The Year 2022. This is our 50th year as a group and what a start to the next 50yrs.
"Every Wednesday we have a show, tea and a blether to create a social circle now thanks to a hard working committee and a loyal membership.
"Let us make this our start for the next fifty years of bringing together friends new and old from East Ayrshire and beyond. Well done everyone who supports us at Hurlford. To all other groups in Scotland keep up the good work we are doing - we are making a future for later life. Thank you."
Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said:
"In the past 50 years, Age Concern Hurlford has become a popular place for older people to make memories, share friendship and have fun.
"It gives me great pleasure to present the team with our member group of the year award, and to wish them a very happy 50th birthday. I have every confidence they will still be going strong in another 50 years.
"Congratulations to Age Concern Hurlford, the very deserving winners of our member group of the year award."
Award Sponsor: PSR Scotland
PSR Scotland is a joint safeguarding initiative supported by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks, SP Energy Networks, SGN and Scottish Water to promote the Priority Services Register (PSR) for vulnerable households across Scotland.
The Priority Service Register is free to join and helps utilities provide tailored support should your electricity, gas or water supply go off in an emergency as well looking after you during their planned work.